“O’Conner has been a surname in the company for years,” Torin stated, wagging his finger in the air. “So, my dear younger brother, you should know this very well.” He continued his rant.

Dáinn stood closely behind Keva.

He stared at the blonde-haired man, whose blue eyes shone like the ocean’s dark depths.

‘So this was the brother Ev was talking about. The one that wanted him dead. The one Ev wanted protection from.’ He abruptly stopped his thoughts. ‘Ev?’ 

He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize he had called him by a nickname. An odd feeling welled up in his chest. It took a bit to keep his face from twitching. Dáinn jolted out of his daze when he saw movement from the corner of his eye, glancing to the side without moving his head. Dáinn watched Torin’s guard move closer to him and Keva. The guard looked tense. Dáinn narrowed his eyes at the man whose face was hidden from sight with a helmet. 

He looked back toward Keva, his face scrunched into an annoyed look. Torin kept going on about stuff that Keva already knew, knowledge every O’Conner family member knew from the moment they were born. It felt as if Torin was mocking Keva, trying to provoke him. Keva only grunted in response to the nonsense Torin was spewing. Dáinn knew Torin was only trying to stall for time, but for what? Only to confirm his thoughts, the guard grew closer. This time, Dáinn bluntly looked at him, warning the guard not to dare come any closer. The guard flinched under his gaze, freezing like a statue. 

Dáinn turned back to lock eyes with Torin. He continued with his rambling while his eyes stayed on Dáinn. Keva must have noticed because he glanced up at Dáinn, and a questioning look appeared. Dáinn didn’t catch Keva’s gaze; instead, he was now staring at a small glimmer of metal in the corner of the room. A mechanical dog stared back at him, shifting in its spot, ready to protect Torin if anyone did anything. Dáinn turned his gaze towards Torin. The blonde-haired man grinned. A grin filled with malicious intent.

They couldn’t stay any longer. Dáinn’s intuition was screaming at him to leave. They were in a dangerous situation that could end their lives. But the problem was, how was he supposed to get out? And without letting Keva get injured. It was two against one, three against two.

Dáinn leaned over the back of the couch where Keva sat. He whispered into Keva’s ear, telling him they needed to get out. 

“Ev,” He was abruptly cut off.

Dáinn was too distracted by the women barging into the room to notice Keva flinch at his voice. 

The woman's golden locks cascaded down over her shoulders. Bright, lively, emerald eyes shone like the sun. A long, complicated green dress adorned her body, making her beauty stand out even more. Gold jewelry inlaid with emeralds hung, swaying from her ears and neck. Her enchanting beauty and soft, ethereal features drew anyone to her. She was Keva’s youngest sister, Naomi. 

She pouted towards Torin, her cheeks growing ever so slightly rosy.

“What is it, dear sister?”

Dáinn watched Torin’s smile fade before he brought it back brighter.

‘Fake,’ He spoke inwardly.

His smile filled with disappointment. 

“I need Keva for something, but you're taking too long.” She puffed up her cheeks in a pout.

“Naomi, that isn't very ladylike,” Torin commented on her attitude. Laughing at her only made her face redden more. But Naomi didn't stop; she didn't care what her brother had to say.

“But all you’re doing is rambling about our family’s company,” she said, crossing her arms and raising her chin.

“Fine, do what you will,” Torin waved to his sister, sighing inwardly. The corners of his lips twitched as he watched his sister’s beautiful face light up. 

Keva scuffed. He knew how much Torin hated all of his siblings. He would even abandon them without a second thought if it meant he could gain the desired power. 

“What was it you wanted?” Keva turned to his sister.

“You’ll just have to find out!” She abruptly grabbed Keva’s arm and tugged him out of the room. Dáinn followed closely behind the two. Only looking back once to see Torin’s grin grow ear to ear. A grin full of malice. 

‘Ev was right. He does want him dead.’

Dáinn was so busy guarding against Torin that it never occurred to him that he kept calling Keva, Ev.