Chapter Two
KIERAN
My muscles are on fire,and sweat drips into my eyes, but I only push harder, gritting my teeth and grunting like a wild animal as I finish my set of squats.
Music blares through the speakers in my home gym, though I barely register the lyrics.
I’m too busy focusing on the weight resting on my back. It’s more than I would normally lift, but I’m not about to give up now.
I can’t afford to become complacent in any area of my life and give my older brother another reason to doubt me.
After finishing my set and racking the bar, I lift up the hem of my shirt and rub it over my face to soak up some of the sweat. My chest is burning, and my quads might as well be a pair of tree trunks, but the pain only makes me smile.
Maybe that makes me a masochist, but I don’t care.
I don’t bother stretching. Instead, I shut off the music, grab my phone, and head down the hall toward the main living area of my penthouse.
The coffee pot is already empty, considering I’ve been awake since four A.M., and I could just beat myself to a pulp for not putting on a fresh pot before I did my workout. Sleepis something of a luxury these days, considering the fact that someone put a bright red target on my back.
The bomb beneath my car at Ronan’s wedding and the failed attack at the safe house have been playing on my mind for what feels like weeks.
Every waking moment I have is spent trying to track down the fucker who decided to mess with me. But joke’s on them because as much as I like feeling pain, I like dishing it out even more.
When I get my hands on them, I’ll make sure to make that fact known.
My stomach growls, but just as I turn to the kitchen to start making breakfast, my phone starts buzzing in the pocket of my workout shorts.
“Seriously, Ronan?”
But as I look at my phone, the notifications tell me the messages aren’t from Ronan but from some random girl I hooked up with the other night.
I don’t remember giving her my number. Didn’t even care enough to learn her name.
Blonde chick-The Salt Rock:The other night was fun, wanna do it again sometime? I’m off work tonight if you’re free? Xxx
I don’t consider replying.I’m not usually one for double dipping, so I delete the message before blocking the contact. I feel kind of bad for doing it, but it seems these girls don’t get the message any other way.
I’m not a relationship guy. I never have been, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will be. And that suits me fine.
Setting my phone down on the marble countertop, I open the fridge and start pulling out some supplies for breakfast.
It buzzes again.
“I swear to God…” I snatch it up.
Only, this time, it’s not a hookup I’ve forgotten about. It’s my security system letting me know that a black Mercedes has pulled into my underground garage.
It seems my oldest brother has decided to pay me an early morning visit.
I’m cracking my eggs into a pan when the elevator doors ping open, and Ronan strolls in, followed by Brennan.
Brennan scoffs. “Couldn’t have showered first?”
“I wasn’t expecting company.” I shoot Ronan a glare.
“Ciara needs the peace and quiet.” He shrugs before taking a seat on one of the metal stools tucked beneath the kitchen island.
“And I don’t?”
