Page 228 of Midnights
“Aye, we get along. She’s the reason I haven’t lost my mind running this place,” he admits, looking far away. “But no, she doesn’t live here. She’s got her own life, though she’s here often enough that it feels like she does.”
“Sounds like she keeps you in line.”
“She tries. But no one really keeps me in line, Princess.”
His words send a shiver straight through me. I can’t tell if it’s a challenge or a warning. Maybe it was both. “Good to know.”
He leans back in his chair, and there’s a shift in his demeanor—something looser. I'd like to believe he’s peeling back a layer just for me, but that makes me nervous.
“What else do you want to know?” His fingers drum once against the armrest like he's enjoying this. “I love long walks on the beach, reading, I run six companies. One of which is a rental company.”
His eyes spark with humor. “And I inherited this estate from my parents, which keeps me busy enough. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He glances around the ballroom, and for a brief moment, pride laces his voice.
I let the easy rhythm of our conversation wash over me, but when he mentions the rental company, something clicks in my brain. “Wait… rental company?”
He leans forward, like he’s savoring my reaction. “Aye, I’ve got a few properties, mostly estates and townhomes. It's very exclusive, though. Not the kind of thing you’d find on your average booking site.”
His words land with an unexpected blow. I think back to the night we first met, his friend who drove us home like he knew exactly where to go and the way Kane seemed so familiar with the area. My curiosity sharpens, and I stare at him, piecing it together.
“The house we are staying at…” I begin slowly, my voice trailing off as the realization sinks in.
He holds my gaze with a knowing smile. “Aye,” he says softly. “It’s mine.”
The confirmation feels like a puzzle piece sliding into place, and I’m torn between annoyance and something much warmer. “You didn’t know we were staying there?” I press, narrowing my eyes slightly, suspicion creeping in despite myself.
“I didn’t,” he replies without hesitation. “Not until you showed me the address.”
His tone is calm, but there’s a weight to his words that makes my pulse pick up. The fact that I’ve unknowingly been staying at one of his properties feels weird, like another layer to this unraveling story. It’s unsettling how deep this connection between us seems to run, no matter how hard I try to keep my guard up. I made that reservation because it was the only place my grandfather suggested when we talked about going together.
I open my mouth to respond, but the look in his eyes steals whatever I was about to say. There’s a softness there, an openness I haven’t seen before. I feel like I’m teetering on the edge of something I can’t name, and it terrifies me just as much as it thrills me.
Kane stands, extending a hand toward me. His eyes hold that unmistakable glint, the one that’s currently setting me on edge in the best way. “Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”
Curiosity flares, and I take his hand. The contact sends a faint spark up my arm, and I have to remind myself to breathe. He leads me through thecastle’s now familiar hallways, and our footsteps echo against the stone floor. How does it suddenly feel so intimate?
We stop when we get to the hallway with all the paintings that I remember from the tour, it feels like stepping back in time, though that day seems like a lifetime ago.
“These are my great-who-knows-how-many grandparents,” Kane says quietly, his voice carrying a reverence I’ve never heard from him before. “They built this place. Or so I'm told.” He adds the last part with a hint of a shy smile that’s so unexpected it nearly knocks me off balance.
I take a step closer, letting his words sink in. This isn’t just a piece of history he’s sharing, it’s a piece of himself. He’s peeling back layers he’s kept hidden, letting me glimpse something deeper. I can't help but think Cam was never going to be part of tonight's plans.
This isn’t just a romantic dinner or a casual tour. It’s deliberate, thoughtful, and sincere. It feels like he’s trying to make up for all the times he could have let me in before.
I look at him, noticing the tension in his shoulders, like he's bracing for my reaction. My chest tightens, and a warmth spreads through me, leaving me feeling unsteady.
“It’s beautiful,” I smile softly, but the words carry more weight than I intended. Because I’m not just talking about the painting.
Chapter 38
Unravel
Raven
Itake a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. Part of me is still fighting with myself to be annoyed that he wasn’t upfront with me, but another part knows I want to meet him halfway.
“I can’t imagine growing up in a place like this,” I look around. “It sounds like it would’ve been… an adventure.” My lips curve into a small grin as my gaze drifts back to him. “Not that I can complain, though, I loved where I grew up. My grandparents took care of me, they loved me, and taught me everything I know.”
