Page 44 of Fractured Memories

So I do. It’s a condensed version of events, but I tell them how I met Eden at the cages. How I have been going to the city to see her. How she has been spending nights here.

Rohan’s gaze only narrows as I talk, but Lochlan looks giddy. By the time I finish, I knock back the rest of my whiskey. Eden and I haven’t talked about our relationship this much, and I’m not so sure that we’ll have much of one after this.

“She’s the reason you were fighting then.” It’s the first thing Rohan says after I pause.

I nod. “And for the other reasons I said.”

He scoffs, lifting his glass to his mouth. Before he sips, he mutters, “I should have known it was a girl.”

“A legendary one.” Lochlan grins as he stares at Eden, though I note there’s no interest in his eyes. He just looks excited. “I’ve seen you fight. You are incredible.”

That seems to make Eden relax a little. Her lips quirk. “I do have a reputation.”

“I haven’t heard of you.” Rohan is still very irritated.

“Probably because you never leave the mountain,” I bite out.

”Because someone has to actually fucking think straight.”

Eden leans forward, her eyes glittering. “I could give you a personal demonstration.” I recognize the bloodlust on her face, and I know Rohan spots it, too. It’s what first drew me to her because it’s something that runs through my veins constantly. “If you are tired of living, that is.”

That curls Rohan’s lips, and he nods slowly. He takes another sip before saying, “I think I like you.”

Eden settles back in her seat, crossing her legs. “I’m an acquired taste, but you’ll get used to it.”

It’s enough to make all three of us chuckle, and I pull her into my side. I never doubted she could hold her own—I was more worried about bloodshed—but I should have known her ferocity and dry wit would only win my brothers over.

Now, I’m going to have to put up with Jude’s smugness because he was right. I should have told them long ago. My life just got real fucking complicated with my secret out in the open.

But it’ll be worth it. I’m starting to think Eden is worth anything.

Even the shite I’ll be receiving for the rest of my life.

CHAPTER 15

EDEN

Present day…

Ihaven’t seen Kieran in four days. Not that I’m counting. Not that I care. It’s just a fact that I’ve been aware of.

A part of me has been surprised, given the last time I saw him. The memory of it has been infiltrating my mind relentlessly, suppressing every other thought when it comes to Kieran.

It’s been confusing to say the least. Instead of thinking of him as the man who kidnapped me and locked me in a room, I keep seeing him as the one who tongue-fucked me in the hallway, who swore he never lied to me, who looked desperate for me to accept that I’m his wife.

And it’s getting harder not to let my guard down. He’s given me free rein of his house, fed me, and touched me like I’m all he wants. Now, I’m just stuck with one question: why? Why has he treated me like this when all I’ve done is insult him and actively fought against him?

If I really was married to him, I guess there must have been a reason. It would explain the way my thoughts keep going back to him, the way my body responds to him. It almost makes me want to seek him out—which makes no sense—because the last time I saw him, the taunting and teasing had a new layer to it. It didn’t feel so defensive. Instead, it built a tension I liked.

A nudge against my thigh pulls me from my thoughts, and I tilt my head, finding Mika’s warm eyes on me. A smile pulls at her lips as she raises a brow. “You were zoned out.”

I drop my gaze, trying to ignore the way she’s eyeing me. Even though I like Mika, I haven’t felt ready to actually talk to anyone about what’s been going on in my head. If I’m being truthful, I’m scared to trust anyone. I don’t want to play into their hands or give them ammunition against me.

Mika, however, isn’t deterred. She nudges me again. “Spill.”

I steal a glance at her, her eyes sparkling. We’re in the dining area, warm light spilling in through the windows and highlighting the strands that have fallen out of her extremely messy bun. “Spill what?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve been letting you get away with that, but not this time. I heard about your latest run-in with Kieran, and I gave you time to process. Now, I want you to spill. Tell me what’s got you in your head.”