Page 30 of Reckless Desires

There’s a devious look in his eyes that makes my body tingle.

What the hell is wrong with me?

He walks away, leaving me with people I don’t know. The expression “walking into the lion’s den” takes on a whole new meaning. The four men, dispersed around the small room, some seated and some standing, look calm, but the look in their eyes is haunting. They range in age and distinct features. While they all have the same eye color and nose as Killian, their builds, heights, and hair colors are drastically different from one another.

“This is Liliana.” Aunt Maeve takes charge, introducing me. She points to the older-looking man with a bulky square build and dark auburn hair. “That is Mickey, the eldest Boswell. Then there’s the twins, Leon with the wrinkled shirt and Trevor,” she points to two handsome blond men with lean muscular builds, “and the baby here is JoJo,” who’s rocking perfectly curled dirty blond hair.

“I didn’t know Killian had brothers,” I say.

“Half brothers,” JoJo says.

“Brothers all the same,” Mickey speaks up.

Their accents are heavy.

Aunt Maeve smiles. “My sister was a lover of love and lust,” she laughs.

“So Weste is Killian’s father’s name?”

“Seven children and, despite having different fathers, they all carry the Boswell blood. They were born with the name and will die with it. No piece of paper will change that.” Aunt Maeve’s tone is sweet but threatening.

“Our grandfather helped raise us,” Leon adds for clarification. “It was only right that we carry his name.”

“Mum wanted us to have the same name so no one felt out of place,” JoJo says with a hint of sadness at the reminder of their loss.

There is dead silence for a moment.

“So how do you know Killian?” Trevor asks with a smirk, pretending he doesn’t know I’m being held captive.

“He works with my brothers-in-law.”

“Well, come and sit.” Leon nods for me to sit on a chair. “We don’t bite.”

Sinking into the chair, my muscles start to tighten again.

“I’m going to check on your tea,” Aunt Maeve says before leaving the room. “Play nice, boys. It’s not often Killian brings home a female.”

“So, Liliana.” JoJo picks up a beer from the coffee table and twists the cap open. “Have you seen our brother Killian in action? We have bets on how he offed those men back at the house.”

They seem interested, listening for my answer. “I didn’t get to watch.” I see flashes of disappointment. “They were in the barn while I was getting the horse saddled.”

Leon begins to laugh. “That fucking barn. I remember when we were younger, and he cut open an animal just to see what was inside.” He takes a beer from the coffee table and twists the cap off. “That’s when I knew he was crazy.”

They all chuckle to themselves like they had their own story to relate to.

“We got company,” Killian’s voice travels into the room, turning off the light with a gun in hand and still shirtless.

The others pull out their guns and find a wall to put their backs against. Killian pulls me toward him, our backs against the wall. There’s a knock. My heart begins pounding against my chest.

“Give me a gun,” I whisper.

“I’m not giving you a fucking weapon,” he shoots back.

It is dark, but I can still make out who is who by the light coming through the windows from the moon. I see Aunt Maeve holding a rifle behind her back as she goes to open the door.

“Who is it?” she shouts through the wooden door.

“We are looking for Killian.”