Page 37 of Stolen Temptation

Some house. Even I can’t stop my mouth from hanging open.

I have perfect vision, so I know my eyes aren’t lying, but how could a place this gorgeous and well-kept be run by a bunch of violent thugs? I’m nothing short of flabbergasted by how fairy-tale pretty the Gallagher estate is.

Following Rory toward that sprawling mansion doesn’t make anything feel morereal.In fact, the closer we get, the more sure I am that this must all be a bizarre dream.

We climb a few short steps to the front doors, and then we’re inside.

Which is even more palatial and magnificent than the outside.

Red carpets line sweeping, cavernous hallways. Fine art decorates the walls. There’s even an indoor fountain gurgling a soothing tune.

By the mouth-watering aromas drifting toward us, I’m guessing they’ve got a gourmet chef under lock and key too.

All I can think about is how much Iwasn’ttold about the Irish Kings.

No one ever mentioned their wealth. I would have guessed their headquarters were located in some abandoned factory compound somewhere, or an old, dilapidated Gothic estate deep in the woods.

My whole life, I’ve been led to believe that my family’s worst adversaries were nothing short of abhorrent, cruel mercenaries who hunted and tortured people for fun. That’s the way they killed Matteo, the last head of the De Luca mafia. They killed my father Enzo in much the same way.

But, despite those grim truths, so far, they’ve been…hospitable? Kind of?

Is that even possible?

That nurse, Esmeralda, was very nice to me. She didn’t think I’d be harmed here. I managed to assault the heir to the entire Kings mafia within the first thirty minutes of being conscious, but aside from an ugly glare and threat, he didn’t do me any harm.

And according to Rory, the kissing kidnapper, he doesn’t intend to.

Honestly, if I count the hot kiss, this may be the nicest abduction package a woman’s ever been given. Kissed, drugged, and dragged to a mansion. The medical attention was a nice touch too.

I can’t help my wandering eyes as I follow Rory through the enormous building. We walk toward a grand staircase, where giant steps lead up to the second and third floors of this junior castle.

Theseare my soon-to-be living quarters?

Suspicion pings in my head. I know there’s a catch. Maybe they’re messing with me, the way Leo used to.

The Kings must be the rare people who keep their torture chamber or kidnap shack on an upper level. There’s no way Rory’s leading me anywhere nice.

But at the same time, it’s difficult to believe that there’s any place in this giant manor that doesn’t qualify as nice.

Focus, Kiara. Breathe.

I’ve heard plenty of stories about the Kings. I know from secondhand experience how ruthless and terrifying they are as a crime syndicate. I can’t afford to be distracted by the unexpected dazzle of their lair.

As I drink in my surroundings, I begin to analyze the structure and layout of the land. Minute details are my specialty,and if I’m going to spy an escape route from this colossal place, I need to work fast.

I have no idea when my next opportunity might present itself, but when that moment comes, I’ll beready.

One thing I’ve already noticed as strange…

There aren’t many people milling around the mansion.

How many people actually live here?

And more importantly, what’s the security like?

Deliberately slowing my steps to give my eyes more time to do their thing, I turn in a small circle as I walk, taking in more of the space.

My face tickles a little, which means Rory’s staring at it. Probably wondering why the hell I’m moving like molasses.