Page 61 of Our Little Dove

Of course, that didn’t make him less reckless and only added to his blatant refusal to roll over and obey their rules. He knew who he was from an early age whereas I was beaten into believing it was wrong to have feelings for boys.

Fintan and I shared a room, and they would tie us to our beds at night in fear of us doing something “unholy” as they put it. I fucking hate restraints. They started doing daily aversion therapy with all the kids in the house to make sure we didn’t stray from their teachings of how men should only be with women.

“Are you done?” I sneer, unable to keep the trauma-fueled anger at bay.

Alex looks at me and for a brief moment, her gaze softens but she continues while Fintan still seems fixated on her hands.

“I know that you have scars from your past. The orphanage—I assume. You covered them in scars and art of your own. Kieran, you prefer detailed, dark tattoos while yourbrotherloves scarification.”

Fuck this! I’ve heard enough. I need her to shut her fucking mouth before I wrap my hands around her throat and never let go.

She jolts in her seat as I stand, clenching my fists at my sides so hard, my knuckles turn white. “Enough!” I growl, my voice deep and full of warning.

She looks up at me with those beautiful wide eyes and I nearly lose it. “Kieran…” she mumbles in a soft voice. Her chest rising and falling as she takes heavy breaths. She lifts off the metal chair and takes a careful step toward me, not daring to break eye contact.

The closer she gets, the angrier it makes me.

Does she have a fucking death wish?

She shocks us both as she does the one thing we could have never anticipated. She hugs me.

Her breaths are hot against my chest as her arms squeeze my waist tightly. I am dumbfounded.

How the fuck am I supposed to react? What game is she playing?

I look over at Fintan who still sits in his chair, he looks as confused as I am.

I stand frozen, unsure of what to do with this unexpected display from Alex. Her warmth against me feels foreign yet strangely comforting. I can feel her rapid heartbeat through the thin layers of fabric between us, matching the frantic rhythm of my own pulse.

As she continues to hold onto me, I slowly raise a hand, hovering indecisively over her back. The urge to push her away conflicts with a strange desire to pull her closer.

Fintan’s gaze meets mine, his eyes silently questioning the unfamiliar emotions swirling within me. I can see the concern etched in his features, mirroring my internal turmoil.

I watch from my seat with a confused anger simmering deep within me. The mention of the orphanage earlier cut through me like a knife, reopening wounds I’ve spent years trying to heal.

Memories of the past flood my mind, each one more painful than the last. The harsh words, the cruel punishments, the constant feeling of loneliness and abandonment. They’re all etched into my soul like scars that will never fade.

And now, here we are, forced to confront those demons once again thanks to Alex’s reckless words. I feel the anger boiling up inside me, threatening to consume me whole as I struggle to contain the torrent of emotions raging within.

Part of me wants to lash out, to scream and make her pay for dredging up those painful memories. But another part of me knows that it won’t change anything, that it won’t undo the damage that’s already been done.

Instead, I remain seated, my fists clenched tightly as I fold my arms over my chest again. I try to rein in the fury threatening to overwhelm me.

Kieran’s body is tense against Alex’s, his jaw clenched tight. I can see the pain etched in his features, mirrored in my own.

We may have our differences, but we share a bond forged in our shared suffering, and no amount of manipulation from Alex can change that.

As Alex releases him from her embrace, stepping back with a small, sad smile on her lips, I can’t help but wonder if this is all just another manipulation tactic. Another game to keep us under her control.

“What are you doing?” I ask, skepticism dripping from my tone. “Kai, don’t trust her. I’m sure this is another fucking game.”

He looks at me with his brows drawn under his dark hair before those green eyes flick back to Alex warily as he moves backward.

I straighten off the uncomfortable chair and eat up the distance between us. She meets my gaze, her chin tilted upward slightly as she stands her ground.

“I…I just wanted to give him some comfort,” she states. Truth echoes in her words but I don’t fucking buy it.

Why now? After everything? What are you up to? And for the love of fuck, what’s in that syringe?!

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