Page 65 of Twisted Thorns

I feel the warmth of Kieran's breath on my skin, like a flame dancing dangerously close to kindling.

"Kieran," I say, my voice wavering, "I–" But the words halt in my throat, choked by the storm within me. I want to trust him, to accept his promise and let our love guide us through the shadows. But the weight of this town's darkness bares down on me, suffocating the very air around us.

Our love is an ember that burns brightly in the darkness, but it will take more than just passion to banish the shadows forever.

The dimly lit room seems to shrink, as if the walls are closing in on us. Kieran's nervousness is palpable, etching across every line of his face and echoing in the tremor of his hands. His gaze, full of remorse and desperation, pierces my heart like a searing arrow.

"Lina," Kieran whispers, his voice cracking with emotion, "I never wanted this life. Before your accident, we talked about walking away, both of us. Away from this town, this life. I know things haven't gone the way either of us wants, but we don't have to be defined by our experiences. We can start together, you and I. Make our own choices."

My breath hitches as I study his earnest expression. His raw vulnerability tugs at my heart, making it difficult to tear my eyes from his soulful depths.

"Kieran..." I hesitate, the weight of my decision looming like an unyielding force.

"Can you really escape your family's darkness? Or will it continue to haunt us?" My words hang in the air, heavy with doubt. My heart aches at the thought of a future filled with shadows and secrets, even as my love for him roars like wildfire within my chest.

“I would follow you through the depths of hell, Lina. To another realm entirely. Nothing else matters but you. Your safety. Your happiness. You are my light, and I will go where you lead.”

The sincerity in his words wound around my heart like a silken thread, drawing me closer to him, despite the storm of doubt that raged within me. I know I can never fully forget the darkness that has been revealed with Sean's actions, but as I look into Kieran's eyes, I yearn to believe in the possibility of redemption.

For a moment, the room seems to hold its breath, the silence thick and heavy with anticipation. Then, Kieran closes the distance between us, his powerful arms enveloping me in an embrace that is equal parts desperation and relief. Our bodies press together, molding to one another as if they were two halves of a whole seeking solace in each other's presence.

"Kiss me, Lina," Kieran whispers against my ear, his voice low and urgent. "Kiss me like you mean it, like you believe in us."

And though I know that the path ahead is uncertain, I can’t deny the fire that burns within me as Kieran kisses me—a fire that promises to illuminate even the darkest corners of our hearts. It is this fire, this passion, that fuels my resolve and gives me the strength to face whatever challenges are ahead. For in Kieran's arms, there is a love that transcends darkness, a love that can burn bright enough to chase away the night.

Epilogue

Kieran

Grabbing the ivory cotton tote bag from the passenger seat, I get out of my car, trying to shake off the nerves that had my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I was Kieran Calder. I didn't get anxious. But here I was, sweaty palms swiping through my hair, the jet strands now falling into my eyes instead of being artfully brushed away from my face. I winced as I slammed the car door a little too forcefully. I didn't know what to do with myself. Everything felt too big and too much. What the fuck was wrong with me?

Cursing, I stomped my way to Lina's apartment, shaking my head at my idiocy. It was just jewelry. A piece of metal. Like a gun. I could do this.

Knocking on Lina's door, I took a deep breath that froze in my lungs as it swung inward to reveal Avalina's smiling face.

"Come in, dinner's ready," she quipped, not realizing how tightly my muscles were strung, quivering under my skin.

I walked in behind her, a cautious predator wary of the shadows. Conan ran up to me and I bent down to scoop him up in my arms, rubbing him behind the ears the way he liked. Avalina was back in the kitchen, stirring the creamy shrimp bisque, which smelled amazing. Conan swatted at the bag still in my arms, so I put him down and began unloading my haul onto the kitchen bar.

"Fresh bread and dessert, as requested."

Lina turns, immediately grabbing the bread and inhaling. I do my best to hide the laugh that wants to race past my lips, but there is no fooling her.

Her eyes narrow at me. "What? I love bread, okay?"

Holding my hands up in mock surrender, I nod. "As one should."

She huffs as she places the bread in the oven to keep it warm before turning back to my parcels. "Kieran, you didn't have to bring an entire cake! And champagne? Why did you bring champagne?"

Shrugging, I take both from her, placing the cake out of Conan's reach and putting the champagne on ice. "I thought it would be nice to celebrate," I say, taking both from her, placing the cake out of Conan's reach, and putting the champagne on ice. "It's been months since the shooting and everything seems to be calm now. We're all in a good place." I realize I'm rambling and clear my throat, glancing at Lina, who seems absorbed in her cooking.

Deciding that changing the subject is the best course of action, I steer the ship in another direction. "How was work at the library today?"

Lina takes two pretty blue bowls down from the cabinet, so I grab some spoons and glasses, filing them with water before placing them on the bar counter.

"It was good," she says as she ladles the bisque into the bowls and grabs the steaming bread from the oven. "The new book club is really growing and our partnership program is coming along nicely."

"Nice. You should be proud of all the hard work you put into that program."

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