Cian's gaze drifted towards Kaliyah, who had succumbed to exhaustion, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. The soft glow of the dashboard lights illuminated her peaceful expression, and for a moment, Cian felt an unfamiliar pang in his chest. He brushed it off as a mere flutter of annoyance, but the sensation lingered.
As he turned off the car's AC, a faint whisper of concern crept into his mind. Why was he being so... considerate? He wasn't exactly known for his kindness. Kaliyah, on the other hand, was an enigma - innocent, yet fiercely determined. Maybe he shouldn't have dragged her into his mess. Now, there was no turning back.
The silence was oppressive as Cian carried Kaliyah into the mansion, her limp form cradled in his arms. Levi and Liam rushed to their side, their faces etched with concern.
"What happened to her?" Levi demanded, his eyes blazing with a mix of worry and accusation.
Cian's expression remained impassive as he replied, "She almost got raped. I arrived just in time."
Levi's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. "This is your fault, Cian. You know that."
Cian shrugged, his eyes glinting with a hint of defiance. "I didn't expect her to run off."
Levi's scoff was laced with venom. "You're unbelievable."
As Levi carried Kaliyah upstairs, Liam patted him on the back before following. Cian watched them go, his expression unreadable.
Levi gently placed Kaliyah on her bed, his eyes scanning her face. He noticed her dress was rumpled and figured she'd be uncomfortable sleeping in it. Just as he was about to call a maid to change her clothes, Kaliyah shifted, her dress riding up to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her upper thigh. Levi's eyes widened as he took in the tattoo emblazoned on her skin.
It was the same symbol, the same design, the same everything. Levi felt like he'd been punched in the gut. His mind reeled with questions, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring into the eyes of a stranger, yet somehow, he knew that Kaliyah was connected to him in a way that went beyond mere coincidence.
Levi stood there, frozen in thought, as the maid arrived to change Kaliyah's clothes. He waited outside, his mind racing with possibilities. When the maid emerged, Levi tucked Kaliyah into bed, covering her with a duvet. As he turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.
Meanwhile, Cian tossed and turned in his bed, his mind consumed by thoughts of Kaliyah. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept; his body seemed to have forgotten the sensation. As he lay there, he found himself wondering if Kaliyah was comfortable, if she was okay. The thought was... unsettling. Cian didn't do "concerned." He did "calculating." Yet, here he was, worrying about Kaliyah's well-being.
With a muttered curse, Cian threw off the covers and strode out of his room. He headed towards Kaliyah's room, his heart pounding in his chest. As he approached her door, Levi came out if the room t the same time.
Cian's eyes narrowed as he approached Kaliyah's room. He had to see for himself that she was okay. As he reached her door, he saw Levi emerging from the room, a puzzled expression on his face.
Cian's expression darkened, his instincts screaming at him to confront Levi. He ignored him and entered Kaliyah's room, his eyes scanning the space. The maid had changed her clothes, and Kaliyah was now sleeping peacefully in a fresh set of pajamas.
Cian's gaze lingered on Kaliyah's face, his thoughts racing with questions. Why had Levi changed her clothes? And why did Cian feel a pang of jealousy at the thought?
With a growl, Cian turned and stormed out of Kaliyah's room, determined to confront Levi. He burst into Levi's room, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Did you change her?" Cian demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Levi looked up from his phone, a smirk spreading across his face. "What if I did?"
Cian's eyes flashed with anger, and he threw a punch at Levi. Levi dodged, but Cian's follow-up punch connected with a sickening crunch. Levi's head snapped back, and he stumbled backwards, his eyes blazing with fury.
The two brothers clashed, their fists flying as they exchanged blows. Cian's punch connected with Levi's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards. Levi retaliated with a kick, but Cian dodged, his eyes never leaving Levi's face.
The fight was intense, the two brothers exchanging blow for blow. Cian's fist connected with Levi's stomach, sending him doubling over. Levi retaliated with a punch to Cian's face, sending him stumbling backwards.
The room was a blur of fists and feet, the two friends fighting with a ferocity that was both primal and terrifying. They crashed into furniture, sending lamps and vases shattering to the floor.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the two friends collapsed to the floor, their chests heaving with exhaustion. Cian's eyes locked onto Levi's, his gaze burning with anger.
Levi's voice was barely above a whisper. "The maid changed her."
Cian's glare was venomous. "You should have told me."
Levi's expression was thoughtful. "I don't like her the way you're thinking, Cian. I just... feel connected to her somehow."
Cian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What did Levi mean by "connected"? And why did Cian feel a pang of jealousy at the thought?
With a growl, Cian stood up, his eyes never leaving Levi's face. "Good," he spat, before turning and walking out of the room.
Levi watched him go, his thoughts racing with questions. What had just happened? And why did he feel like he'd just scratched the surface of a mystery that went far deeper than he could have ever imagined?
As he stood there, lost in thought, Levi's gaze drifted back to Kaliyah's room. He felt a pang of unease, a sense that he was being pulled into a world of secrets and lies. But he was ready. He needed to know why Kaliyah had the same tattoo as him.
Little did he know, the journey ahead would challenge everything he thought he knew about his world, and himself.