Page 18 of Royal Beast (Royals of the Underworld #1)
KELLAN
T here’s a shift between us after that night we spent together. Darcy has been quieter, more agreeable. It’s almost unsettling, but I know she’s trying. I can see that much. The walls around her heart are still there but they’ve been lowered.
My gut says she’s just putting up with me because of Rose and because of the contract, but I don’t want to give up hope that I might still win her over.
I want her to see that there’s more to me than whatever she’s built up in her mind—more than the ruthless businessman, the powerful figure who can buy his way through anything. I want her to see that I can care.
I’ve been trying to show her that little by little, letting her see a different side of me. I’ve initiated taking family outings in the evenings and on the weekends, trying to create a semblance of normalcy for the three of us.
Today we’re at the Botanical Gardens. It’s beautiful here, the kind of place where Rose can run around and have some fun, a place where Darcy doesn’t have to worry about any dark, dangerous things lurking around every corner.
I watch as Rose pulls away from us, running ahead with excitement, her eyes alight with wonder as she spots a butterfly fluttering by.
Darcy’s walking beside me. She seems a little more relaxed.
She’s not clinging to that distant edge of herself, and for a brief moment, it almost feels like we’re a real family.
I can’t deny that it’s a good feeling, but I can’t shake the nagging doubt in the back of my mind, either, that it’s fragile. That this peace, this calm, is temporary. I just don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending that everything’s okay between us.
I glance at Darcy, and for the first time in a long time, she catches my eye and holds my gaze.
There’s no anger there, no suspicion. Just a quiet understanding.
A part of me rejoices at the progress we’ve made, but another part, a darker part, whispers that this is just a facade.
It whispers that Darcy is only pretending to play nice so she can lure me into a false sense of security before running away again.
I push the tiny voice to the back of my head, refusing to give in to paranoia. I want to enjoy this day, and I want to enjoy this tentative truce between us for as long as possible.
Once we approach the Butterfly Room, Rose squeals in delight, enchanted by the array of colorful insects fluttering around inside. I pull the door open for her and she gives me a wide, beaming smile before scampering in to chase them around.
Darcy and I follow behind, exchanging knowing smiles. It’s good to see that Rose hasn’t had any lingering trauma from the Russian mall encounter. Children are more resilient than we give them credit for.
The two of us sit together on a bench while we watch Rose twirl around, butterflies flitting over her head and around her feet.
She holds her hands up, and one lands on her finger for a moment before flying away.
Rose giggles and chases after it. Darcy calls out for her to be careful and to slow down.
“I’m glad she’s having fun,” I say.
“Me too. She’s an absolute angel,” Darcy replies, a grin on her face. “She’s always been pretty well-behaved, but she’s also a free spirit and fiercely independent.”
“Sounds like her mother,” I murmur, tucking a strand of hair behind Darcy’s ear. She turns her head slightly, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
“What, a manic, uber-independent dream girl?”
“Manic? No. But dream girl? Absolutely.”
Darcy’s blush deepens and she reaches out, taking my hand. I entwine our fingers together. “You’re too much of a charmer,” she accuses me, though she doesn’t pull her hand away.
I smirk and turn my head to watch as Rose bends down to sniff at a flower nearby. “I was thinking,” I start, keeping my voice casual, my tone careful. “It’s been fun going out on these family trips, but maybe you and I could have a little excursion together, just the two of us.”
Darcy turns to face me. “What, like a date?” she asks, uncertainty etched in her expression.
“Something like that,” I say, squeezing her hand gently. “What do you say?”
“Uh…” she glances back at Rose for a moment before answering. “Sure, okay.”
The next evening, the two of us are sitting in the back of a limo, heading for the outskirts of the city.
Darcy gives me a questioning look as the limo pulls into the airport. I shake my head, excited to surprise her.
The limo comes to a stop, and I lead her across the tarmac to a waiting helicopter, her eyes lighting up in excitement as soon as she sees it.
As we lift off the ground, the city drops away, and the look on Darcy's face fills me with warmth.
She's pressed against the window, mouth slightly parted in awe, her eyes wide and sparkling with the lights of the city below. I can’t help but smile, feeling like I've finally given her something that doesn't make her feel trapped or cornered. Just a bit of wonder, a bit of freedom.
The city unfurls beneath us like a tapestry, the buildings twinkling gold and silver in the twilight, cars threading through the streets like tiny toys.
The river sparkles, its dark waters dotted with lights from passing boats.
I’ve seen this view a dozen times before, but tonight, with Darcy beside me, it feels entirely new.
Her fingers grip the edge of the seat, and for a second, I think she’s nervous.
But when she turns to me, there's nothing but pure enchantment in her eyes. “This is just incredible,” she says through the headset. I study her and smile, enjoying the mesmerized look in her eyes. It makes me realize that I’d spend every night up here just to see it again.
I lean toward her, my hand resting just beside hers on the seat. “I thought you’d like it.” She gives me a warm smile, and I can’t look away. I want to memorize it. I’m hypnotized by her gaze, drawn in by the way the lights halo around her.
The helicopter circles, giving us a full view of the city’s skyline, lights casting a dreamy glow over the buildings.
I try to imagine this view from her eyes.
I want to know what it feels like, her seeing this for the first time.
I want to know she’s enjoying herself, that she’s happy to be here with me, and that she feels safe.
I want to know if she feels the spark between us that I feel.
We catch each other’s gaze, and for a moment, I think she might.
After an hour of flying around, the helicopter returns to the landing site. I help Darcy out and we walk back to our waiting limo. From there, we drive back into the city and head for a tall building, taking the elevator straight to the top.
Darcy’s eyes widen again when we exit the elevator to the rooftop restaurant that I’d reserved for us.
The place is glowing with string lights, the soft notes of piano music playing in the background.
The city’s lights stretch out around us, glittering like we’re looking down from the stars.
The air’s cool, a gentle breeze lifting her hair as we’re shown to a small table near the edge, candles flickering between us.
Once we place our drink orders, the conversation starts light, with Darcy asking about some of the city landmarks we saw from above.
“The tall building by the waterfront is Irish territory,” I explain. “Rory owns the building, but he leases it out for affordable housing tenants. It’s one of his pet projects, making sure everyone has a place to live.”
Darcy seems impressed by this, and I smile, explaining how all of us Brannagan brothers have our own way of giving back. “Liam pays for the school lunches for everyone in the Irish district, and Lucky’s always volunteering at the homeless shelters.”
“What about you?” Darcy asks, a smile on her face. “What do you do?”
I duck my head a little, the tips of my ears burning hot. I don’t like people to know this because I don’t want anyone to know about my soft side, but for Darcy, I can share.
“I bought two buildings and turned them into women’s shelters,” I explain. “My ma, she was always under my father, Lachlan’s, thumb. She couldn’t take it anymore, so she left when I was just a teenager. I didn’t want anyone else feeling like they had nowhere to go, so…”
Darcy reaches out, caressing my fingers with her thumb. “There’s so much more to you than I expected,” she admits, the smile growing on her face.
We continue talking, and at some point, the conversation drifts to Rose.
Darcy’s smile fades a little, replaced by a thoughtful look as she picks at her food, her gaze momentarily distant.
“It was hard at first,” she says quietly, her fingers fidgeting with her napkin.
“I’d always wanted to be a mom, but I never thought I’d be doing it alone. ”
She looks up, her expression softening. “There were days I thought I’d never make it. Like I was on my own island, and I was figuring it out as I went along.”
I watch her, realizing I’ve only ever seen bits and pieces of this part of her life.
She’s strong, no question about it, but hearing this makes me see all that strength with a new perspective.
“She’s a lucky kid,” I say, meeting her gaze.
“To have you, I mean. Not every parent would go through so much to make things work.”
Her cheeks color slightly and she smiles, almost shyly. “Thanks,” she murmurs. “Sometimes, when I see her smile or hear her laugh, I think maybe… maybe I’m doing okay after all.”
At that moment, under the glow of city lights, she looks at me with a vulnerability that almost scares me. She’s sharing a piece of herself she’s never shared with anyone else. The urge to protect that piece of her, to ensure that no one ever dims that light, rises inside me.
“You know, I’m surprised you didn’t drag the father into her life kicking and screaming,” I admit. I reach for my wine glass and take a sip.
Darcy’s eyes dart around and she begins to fidget, clearing her throat. Before she can say anything, though, the waiter arrives with our dessert. It’s a rich chocolate mousse with chocolate shavings and a dollop of cream on top.
I pick up my spoon and take a careful bite, studying Darcy’s expression. There’s something on her face that makes me wonder, once again, if there’s something she hasn’t told me yet.
Darcy scoops a little of the mousse onto her spoon and closes her eyes, savoring the taste as she brings it to her lips.
I hesitate before speaking, but I have to know.
“Darcy. Is Rose my daughter?”