Page 38 of Claimed By Daddy

“Surviving another week in lockdown without strangling each other,” she quips, pulling ingredients from the cupboard.

“Barely,” he snorts, glancing at me—his eyes still harboring his annoyance over my relationship with his sister.

I jump down from the counter to help her, not because she needs it, but because I enjoy watching her work. There’s something domestic and comforting about it—so unlike the world I’m used to—like if I stay in this moment long enough, maybe the outside world will stay away.

It isn’t long before the scent of baking muffins drifts through the apartment, warm and sweet. Nikolai stumbles downstairs, sniffing at the sweet aroma—shirtless and his hair an absolute mess. “What smells like happiness?” he mutters, heading straight for the coffee like it’s life support.

“Muffins,” Eavan says.

“Possibly still with a side of murder,” Cillian mumbles half in jest.

“Coffee.” I smirk, glaring at Cillian. “And inappropriate kitchen behavior.”

“Again?” Nikolai teasingly mutters. “You do know that you two have a very large and very nice room upstairs, right?” I snicker as he unknowingly repeats Cillian’s sentiment. Whilethey both might be correct, I can’t get enough of her, and I will happily take her anywhere I can.

Eavan steps into the hall and opens the front door, her soft voice carrying into the kitchen. “Come on. You both can take a short break. Or at least protect me from in here.”

Hawk and Jagger follow behind her as she returns to the kitchen—tall, stone-faced, and both carrying an arsenal. They pause at the threshold to the kitchen, unsure whether they’re allowed in.

Hawk clears his throat, looking vaguely uncomfortable. “That’s very kind, ma’am.”

Jagger nods once. “Much appreciated, ma’am.”

She hands each of them a muffin straight from the tray, and I swear they both look like they’ve just been knighted as they take the warm baked goods from her. She pours them each a cup of coffee, and I realize that she’s silently thanking them for helping to keep her safe.

The kitchen fills with quiet conversation and the clinking of cups against the granite countertop. On the surface, everything appears normal, but I can see it—the way Eavan stares out the window and over the terrace with distant eyes. She hasn’t been outside this apartment in weeks, and no matter how much she pretends otherwise, I know it’s wearing on her.

The tray of muffins is reduced to nothing more than a few crumbs, and the coffee pot has been drained. Everyone starts to clear from the room—Nikolai mumbling something abouta call, Hawk and Jagger returning to their post in the hall. Cillian stays at the island, scrolling through his phone, and Eavan sits beside me on the counter as I load the dishwasher.My thank you for her breakfast.After turning it on and drying my hands, I press myself between her knees and slide my hands along her bare thighs. “Want to get out of here for a bit?”

She blinks at me as though trying to ensure she heard me correctly. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” I answer slowly, watching her face, “you and me. A quick trip outside these walls. Assuming you can follow the rules. There’s a boutique I know of nearby. It’s privately owned and appointment only. No crowds. No risk. Just a change of scenery for the morning.”

Her eyes go wide. “Seriously?”

“No,” Cillian sharply answers for me with his arms crossed. “Absolutely not. We’ve kept her in here for a reason.”

“I get that,” I reply calmly. “But she’s going stir-crazy. We’re talking one hour… Two, tops. We’ll take Hawk and Jagger, and she won’t go a second without someone’s eyes on her?—”

“She’s not leaving,” he snaps, louder this time.

Eavan stiffens beside me, and something in my chest hardens. I take a breath, trying to maintain my composure. “Cian, I know what youthinkyou’re doing. And trust me, I understand why you’re being so protective. But keeping her locked in here like a prisoner isn’t protecting her.”

His jaw tightens. “You don’t get to make that call.”

“Actually, I do,” I curtly insist, stepping forward. “I want to keep her safe as much as you do, but I also want to ensure she’s happy. And no one is going to keep me from giving that to her. She deserves a bit of normalcy.”

He looks at me long and hard, mistrust simmering under the surface. Eavan shifts uncomfortably on the counter, and I squeeze her hand while maintaining Cillian’s hard stare. “I’ll take care of her,” I promise. “I know you still don’t believe she means something to me. That this is just some fling. But it’s not. I swear to you that I will protect her with my life.”

“Please, Cian,” Eavan begs softly, batting her eyelashes at him like it’s some play from theHow to Manipulate Menhandbook.

He lets out a heavy exhale and grumbles, “You take Hawk and Jagger. Back before lunch.”

“Go get ready, princess,” I whisper against Eavan’s temple before brushing a soft kiss against it.

She grins brightly and darts from the room with the same excitement as the last time I took her out the front door. Cillian watches her go, waiting until she has disappeared upstairs before turning to me and threatening, “If anything happens?—”

“I know,” I interrupt him. “But nothing will.”

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