Page 61 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

All four of them look at Kiera. Then they look at me. Then back at Kiera.

I watch their expressions change in real time. Kevin's face goes from concern to horror. Jack's jaw clenches so hard I'm surprised his teeth don't crack. Devin looks like someone just punched him in the gut. Kaleb's eyes widen with disbelief.

They know. They can see it written all over her. The slightly swollen lips and flush still on her cheeks, the way her hair is damp and tousled. The way she stands just a little closer to me than she did before.

They know I just fucked their baby sister.

"Kiera," Kevin starts, his voice strained.

"Don't," she says, holding up one hand. "Don't even start."

"We're just concerned," Kaleb tries, his tone gentler than Kevin's.

I move to the fireplace and lean against the mantel, crossing my arms. This is going to be interesting. And amusing. Watching Kiera handle her four older brothers, watching these big men shrink under her verbal assault, is better entertainment than anything I could have planned.

"We're not interrogating you," Devin adds. "We just want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine," Kevin says. "You look like you just…"

"Just what?" Kiera's eyes flash dangerously. "Say it, Kevin. Go ahead."

Kevin's mouth opens and closes. He looks at me, then back at his sister, clearly struggling with what to say.

"That's what I thought." Kiera crosses her arms, mirroring my posture. "My personal life is none of your business. I'm a grown woman, and I can make my own decisions."

"But he's a criminal," Jack says, his voice hard. "He's dangerous, Kiera. He hurts people for a living."

"I'm aware of what Emil does."

"Are you?" Jack takes a step toward her. "Are you really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're playing house with a man who could get you killed."

"Jack," Kaleb says quietly, a warning in his tone as he shoots me a concerned glance.

But Jack ignores him. "Someone already tried to kill you, Kiera. And you think the solution is to marry the man who probably put a target on your back in the first place?"

I should intervene. I should say something. But I'm too fascinated by watching Kiera defend herself, defend us.

"Emil didn't put a target on my back," she says, her voice cold. "He's the reason I'm alive."

"Or he's the reason you're in danger at all," Kevin argues.

"You don't know that."

"And you do?" Kevin's voice rises. "You've known this man for what, a couple of weeks? And you're already sleeping with him, living in his house, planning to marry him?"

"Yes," Kiera says simply. "I am. And if you don't approve, you can suck it up or hit the road. Your choice."

The room goes silent. Her brothers stare at her like they don't recognize her. And maybe they don't. This version of Kiera, fierce and unapologetic, is different from the scared woman who grabbed me at the club.

I like this version. A lot.

I settle into the chair near the fireplace, unable to stop the smirk tugging at my lips. I'm happy her sharp tongue is focused on them instead of me for once. Let them feel the sting of her words.

But as I watch them, something strange happens. Something I don't expect.

I feel a pull in my chest. An unfamiliar ache.