Faux Vows, True Desires

"Don't worry about the company, I have a bunch of capable brothers who can take over in a heartbeat. Even if I were to hang out with you at Skywatch for a year, the firm would run like clockwork." Stefan had faith in his siblings and trusted their competencies implicitly.

"Although they're all busy with their own ventures, they're all clued in on the company's operations. Liam's just tied the knot, so we'll give him a pass; my youngest brother's still in school, so he's out too. But my other brothers are up for the task."

The brothers: Stefan, please don't pick me.

Stefan: How about this? Rock-paper-scissors, draw straws, loser takes over.

Everyone was speechless.

"This empire's too big to leave to my youngers brother. They might be able to handle their own, but navigating the business world requires some seasoned veterans."

Lucinda had been the sister-in-law to the boys for a while now and had gotten to know each and every one of her brothers-in-law quite well.

Stefan chuckled, "Let them share the load, don't want to be accused of playing favorites."

Lucinda yawned, closing her eyes, and mumbled, "Honey, I'm beat. Off to count sheep." Stefan planted a gentle kiss on her and whispered, "Sleep tight. I'll watch over you."

Lucinda said no more.

She always felt exhausted after their intimate moments, sinking into a deep sleep.

It puzzled her why she was the one feeling spent even though she wasn't the one exerting the effort.

Skywatch.

One o'clock in the morning.

The city was quiet as a whisper.

A convoy bathed in moonlight made its way back to Sunnyglade Abbey.

The security guards at the gate were dozing off, yawning incessantly, yet they dared not sleep as the young master had not returned.

The glare of headlights snapped the guards to attention. They quickly stood up, operating the gate switch and stepped out of their booth, standing at attention as Keith's car, flanked by bodyguards, made a stately entrance.

The gates closed behind them.

The guards returned to their booth, finally able to catch a wink of sleep until their next shift.

Keith's car stopped in front of the main house.

"Everyone, go get some rest," Keith said in a deep voice, to which the bodyguards replied in unison, "Goodnight, Mr. Keith."

Keith entered the main house without looking back, and after a brief moment of silence, the bodyguards returned to their cars, drove to the parking lot, and retired to their quarters. Those on night duty remained vigilant until relieved by the morning shift.

As Keith climbed the stairs, he noticed that his parent's room was still lit. He hesitated but decided to check in.

Unsurprisingly, he found his dad sprawled across his mom's bed, snoring away. The smell of alcohol lingered heavily in the air - his dad had obviously been out socializing and had come back a little more than tipsy.

He thought, "So, in Dad's drunken state, he'd crashed in Mom's room."

Keith pulled the blanket over his father, removed his shoes and socks, adjusted the thermostat to a comfortable setting, then left the room, locking the door behind him for good measure.

Keith's room was a good distance from the master bedroom, a testament to the strained relationship with his father. He also kept his distance from a certain guest room.

He paused before the most secluded room on the second floor. No one knew why he'd chosen it - they assumed it was because he was out of favor and had been relegated to the most isolated spot.

The room had poor lighting, overshadowed by several large trees. In the summer, they provided shade and coolness, but they also darkened the room.

He'd never considered cutting them down. The night shift guards used those trees as cover. Without them, where would they hide?

Keith stepped into his room but stopped after only a few paces. There was an intruder.

Yet the guards on duty were none the wiser.

Who could be so skilled as to evade his security?

If it were an assassin.

Keith considered he might need a new security team.

He calmly pretended to be unaware of the situation, nonchalantly turned on the light, closed the door, and discreetly triggered an alert to his guard's indicating trouble in his room.

But when he saw who was lounging on his sofa, he immediately canceled the alert.

Dressed in sleek black attire, the

person's exquisite form was highlighted to perfection. Her long hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and a silver butterfly mask obscured her face.

Keith had no doubts about her identity.

She was the mysterious woman who'd helped him before.

He approached her.

"Fancy some late-night grub?"

"If it's no trouble, sure. I rushed over here and I'm starving."

"Got any preferences?"

"I'll have whatever you're having."

Keith paused, then said, "I'll pour you some warm water and then get started on the food."

He returned shortly with a glass of water for her.

"I'm not big on snacks, so I don't have any. But if you drop by again, I'll make sure to stock up on whatever you ladies fancy."

His sister was always munching on snacks when she wasn't working.

He knew what girls liked.

"It's a long trip, not something I can do often, Keith. But I appreciate the gesture."

Underneath Keith's icy exterior was a considerate and tender heart.

Darlene envied Lucinda in her thoughts. Lucinda was lucky - both brothers were gems, and her husband was incredibly attentive. Lucinda generously offered, "I could set you up with one of my brothers."

Darlene was speechless.

Was Lucinda thinking of pairing her brothers with Darlene and Darlene's sister?

"Give me a moment, I'll whip us up some late-night eats."

Keith's voice was heavy with finality, and before Darlene could even muster a response, he had already turned on his heel and left.

His room, though not the master suite, was spacious. With a flair for independence, he had carved out a corner to create a small kitchenette. When hunger struck late at night, he preferred to whip up something simple himself rather than disturb the household staff in the main kitchen. Besides, Keith harbored a nagging suspicion that among the cooks and maids, there might be those swayed by silver into less savory acts. The thought of someone taking the opportunity to slip poison into his midnight snack was more than enough reason to keep his culinary activities private.