Page 44 of Their Offering

I frowned and went to the kitchen. “So, where did you learn to cook?” I asked Aiden as I helped.

Aiden chuckled. “Ida made us learn when we moved out of the palace. She didn’t want us to resort to eating junk food when she wasn’t around.”

The image of all three in the kitchen with a sweet, old nanny flashed through my mind, and I smiled. I felt so normal in the kitchen with Aiden, as if this wasn’t the most absurd situation ever: a nobody daughter of a drug addict staying in a gorgeous cabin in the woods with Hell’s princes, sleeping with two of them.

Even when Nicholas came to help us, though he was more of a distraction, I felt happy and at ease. I enjoyed being with the brothers, even Keir in some odd way. What would I do when they returned to Hell? These three men had forever changed my life. It would never be normal again, and I felt that to my core.

A twinge of sadness and dread grew heavy in my chest at the thought of them leaving me here, but Keir entered the kitchen right on cue. The disgusted gaze thrown my way soured my mood instantly. I wanted to slap him across the face.

He smiled at me, as if daring me to slap him. Did he know what I was thinking? He winked, and I returned to my task of stirring carrots. He just busied himself with setting the table and pouring drinks, watching us intently once he’d finished.

Nicholas kissed my cheek and pushed me toward the table. “Go sit down, Lilly.”

I only nodded because I was distracted by the sad look on Keir’s face. He was still looking at us. At me. Did I make him sad too? His eyes found mine, and his usual glare settled in. He watched as I walked to the table and sat across from him.

We stared silently for a while until I spoke quietly, hoping the twins wouldn’t hear me. They’d told me to leave things be, but I couldn’t. “Why do you hate me?” I felt pathetic as the question left my lips, but there was no taking it back now.

The kitchen went silent. The twins had heard me. No doubt they were waiting for Keir’s response. I didn’t dare break eye contact to see for sure if they were watching, though.

I could have sworn I saw Keir’s expression soften with regret, similar to last night after what he’d done to me with his shadows, but it didn’t last long. His face returned to normal, and he smirked. “I don’thateyou, Lillian.”

Liar. I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me. I could feel it. “Then why do you treat me like shit?” He just stared back at me. I went on, letting my anger bubble to the surface. “You’re a fucking asshole, Keir. I’ve done nothing to deserve the way you’ve been treating me, and if I did dosomething, be a man and tell me. I’m not your punching bag. You’ve ruined my life, so fuck you. Fuck you for coming into my life. Fuck you for turning it upside down. Fuck you for bringing me here. Fuck you for…for last night…” My face reddened at the memory.

He sat there looking so satisfied, enjoying the fact that he could rile me up so much. It was all a game to him. I was playing right into his hand, but I didn’t care.

I took a few breaths. “Why are you even here? It’s obvious you can’t stand me, and the feeling’s mutual. I hate you, so go back to Hell. I’m tired of you taking your daddy issues out on me.”

He stood so suddenly, I jumped. I’d hit a nerve. Finally. “Trust me, princess, I’d love to go home, but I can’t return to Hell unless you come with us. It's too dangerous to leave you here alone, and unfortunately, we need you too much to let something happen to you. You only have one option. I am just waiting for you to realize it.” His nostrils flared, and his jaw twitched.

“What does that even mean?” I yelled. “You need me too much?” He stayed silent again, refusing to give me any answers. “Fuck you, Keir.” I laughed as sadistically as possible. I felt genuinely evil at that moment. I wanted to hurt him, wanted him to suffer just as he’d made me suffer. “I’m never going to Hell with you. You’d have to drag me kicking and screaming, and I wouldn’t go even then. I’m just waiting for you to realize that.” Tears stung at my eyes, but I refused to let him see them.

“I’m not hungry,” Keir growled as he stormed out the front door.

When the door slammed shut, I finally let my tears fall. I was so angry and frustrated, but a part of me wanted to chase after him and apologize. Why did I feel so much at once?

“You’ve got to stop pushing him,” Aiden chastised me as he and Nicholas brought the food to the table. “I get it's not enough for you, but he has his reasons. Cut him some slack, and maybe he’d let you in a little. Mirroring his piss-poor attitude won’t get you anywhere.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I say that to help you.”

I rolled my eyes and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I don’t care about his reasons. I don’thaveto put up with him.”

Nicholas kissed the top of my head before sitting down next to me. “We know. Trust me, playing both sides is fucking exhausting. You two will figure it out.”

“No need. You guys will be going back soon, I’m sure.” I didn’t mean to bite back so hard, but I was wounded, and a wounded animal would strike anything in sight.

We didn’t speak as the twins filled their plates, and mine, with food. They scarfed their meals down, but I could barely stomach a few bites.

I felt horrible for fighting with Keir, and a part of me wanted to do the exact opposite.

Chapter 21

Keir

I swore as I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me. I couldn’t believe I let her get to me like that. How dare she speak to me that way after we saved her fucking ass.

I took off down the long driveway to the main road. I was hoping that I'd be calm by the time I reached the end, but I was even more amped up.

She didn’t trust us. She struck at me with her sharp tongue like a cornered animal, and rightfully so. She’d been abused all her life. No wonder she was putting up such a fight. I had hoped she would give in to the thoughts I’d planted, but her past had hardened her against anyone trying to get in, like me.

In a way, she reminded me of myself. I knew I was closed off, but I had a good reason for it, to protect her. My destined love.

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