Keifer's POV
The morning light in the beach house was soft, filtering through the linen curtains in dusty gold streaks. For the first time in a month , I didn't wake up reaching for a weapon or checking the perimeter. I woke up reaching for her.
Jay was still dead to the world, a messy, beautiful tangle of limbs and soft exhales. She wasn't wrapped in a literal fleece burrito anymore, but she was still wearing my oversized black hoodie, the sleeves swallowed her hands entirely.
I stayed still, propped up on one elbow, just watching her. Without the fiery defiance in her eyes or the sharp set of her jaw, she looked peaceful. This was the girl I'd nearly destroyed with my own fear. I traced the line of her cheekbone with my gaze, afraid that if I actually touched her, the dream would shatter and I'd be back in that cold, empty penthouse in the city.
Then, she stirred.
With a tiny, sleepy grunt, Jay shifted closer, her face seeking the warmth of my skin. She nuzzled into the crook of my neck, her nose cold against my collarbone, her breath hitching in a way that sent a physical ache through my chest
"Mmm... Keifer," she mumbled against my skin, her voice thick with sleep
My heart did a violent thud. She didn't pull away. She didn't call me a narcissist. She just held onto me, her fingers curling into my shirt. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo and the lingering trace of the sea.
"I've got you, Jay," I whispered, knowing she was too far under to argue.
She let out a contented sigh, her leg hooking over mine, anchoring us together. It was the kind of peace I didn't think men like me were allowed to have. I wanted to stay there forever, but eventually, the "shark" in her stomach—or perhaps just the morning light—won out.
Jay's eyes fluttered open. She blinked at me, her gaze fuzzy before sharpening into realization. Instead of jumping back, she gave me a sleepy, dimpled smile that made my knees weak even while lying down.
"You're still here," she croaked.
"Told you. One step at a time," I said, brushing a stray hair from her forehead.
"How's the lumberjack in your stomach?"
"He's taking a coffee break," she giggled, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm going to jump in the shower to cool him down. Don't burn the house down while I'm gone."
"No promises. I'm a visionary, not a firefighter."
She rolled her eyes, grabbed a fresh change of clothes, and disappeared into the bathroom. I listened to the hum of the shower, a smirk playing on my lips. I felt lighter than I had in years.
I headed downstairs, whistling a low tune, intent on making a breakfast that would make yesterday's pasta look like cafeteria food.
I was mid-crack with an egg when the silence of the morning was shattered.
The heavy thud of the front door swinging open echoed through the house.
I froze, my hand hovering over the skillet. My internal alarm went off—until I heard the unmistakable, chaotic cacophony of voices I knew all too well.
"If there's no coffee, I'm quitting this family!"
"Shut up, Cin, you're literally the one who forgot the beans."
"I didn't forget! I just prioritised my skincare bag!"
I groaned, leaning my head against the kitchen cabinet. Section E. Along with Aries and the girls. The peace was officially over.
"In the kitchen, you loud-mouthed idiots!" I yelled out.
Aries led the pack, looking like he'd been through a war zone, followed by the girls—Freya, Rakki, and Mica—who looked significantly more put together. Behind them, Cin was pouting, clutching a bag of designer snacks.
"Oh, look at him," Cin chirped, leaning against the kitchen island. "The Big Bad Beast is wearing an apron. How... domestic. Where's Jay? Did you lock her in a tower?"
Before I could retort, I heard the click-clack of heels on the stairs.
I turned around, and the words died in my throat. The egg I was holding cracked in my hand, the yolk sliding between my fingers.
Jay was coming down the stairs, but she wasn't in my hoodie anymore.
She was wearing a white strapless bow top paired with high-waisted dark shorts. It was short—dangerously short—revealing legs that seemed to go on for miles. Her hair was damp and wavy, and she looked like a goddess who had just stepped out of the ocean.
Beside me, the boys— of Section E—went dead silent. Their eyes dropped to her legs in a synchronized movement.
The "Beast" didn't just wake up; he roared.
I slammed my hand down on the counter, the sound echoing like a gunshot. "Stare at my wifey's legs for one more second," I hissed, my voice vibrating with a lethal, low-frequency growl, "and I will personally gouge your eyes out. Every single one of you."
"My sister is no one's wife",Aries shot back.
The guys jumped, immediately looking at the ceiling or their shoes. Aries giving a look saying, I'm watching you, while Cin whistled under his breath.
Jay didn't even acknowledge me. Her face lit up the moment she saw the girls. "Freya! Rakki! Mica!Grace!Ella!"
She bypassed the "man-wall" entirely and ran straight into their arms.
"I missed you, baby!" Freya squealed, crushing Jay in a hug.
Rakki pulled back, gripping Jay's shoulders with a worried look. "You have no idea how much trouble it was to handle Cin without you. He tried to buy a tiger on the way here. A literal tiger."
"We missed you so much, Jay," Mica added, tucking a lock of Jay's hair behind her ear. "The city felt... quiet. Too quiet."
While the girls were having their reunion, Aries stepped forward. He ignored me, his gaze fixed on Jay. He looked her up and down, checking for bruises, for tears, for anything that indicated I'd stepped out of line.
"Jay?" Aries asked, his voice rough. "Are you alright? This asshole didn't trouble you, did he? Give me the word.Now."
I stepped forward, crossing my arms over my chest, my protective instincts flaring. "She's perfectly fine, Aries. Better than fine. She's with me."
Aries didn't even blink. He looked at me, then looked back at Jay. Then, without a word of warning, his fist swung out.
THWACK.
The punch caught me square in the jaw. I stumbled back, my head snapping to the side. I tasted copper immediately.
"That," Aries growled, shaking out his hand, "was for the kidnapping."
I rubbed my jaw, a dark, amused chuckle bubbling up in my throat. I looked at Jay, who was trying (and failing) to hide a smirk.
"See?" Jay said, leaning against Freya. "I told you I'd make my brothers punch you, Keifer. I keep my promises."
"Fair enough," I muttered, spitting a bit of blood into the sink. "I probably deserved that."
"Probably?" Cin chimed in, suddenly appearing at Jay's side. He draped himself over her like a giant, clingy cat, burying his face in her shoulder. "He deserved a firing squad! How are Jay? I missed you so much.You know all were bullying ."
Jay laughed, patting Cin's head. "Don't worry,Cin.I won't let them trouble you ."
"Well Jay. Was Keifer behaving properly or he is still a asshole ?", Felix asked
"He was behaving 'mostly", Jay replied.
"Mostly?" I echoed, feeling the familiar prickle of jealousy as Cin practically purred against her. "I made her a burrito! I fed her pasta! I was the world's best heating pad!"
"A burrito?" Mica asked, giggling. "Jay, please tell me there are pictures."
"I'll pay ten thousand for the footage," Rakki added.
The kitchen, which had been a sanctuary of quiet romance just an hour ago, was now a disaster zone of laughter, insults, and the smell of burning eggs.
Cin was still clinging to Jay, refusing to let go, while Aries watched me with a wary, protective eye.
I looked at the chaos -her brother, our friends, and the woman who had somehow stitched my cold heart back together. My jaw ached, my kitchen was a mess, and I was pretty sure Cin was trying to steal my "wifey" for a shopping trip..
I caught Jay's eye over Cin's shoulder. She gave me a tiny, secret wink—the kind that said she hadn't forgotten our morning in the sun.
"One step at a time, Keifer," she mouthed.
I smiled, the pain in my jaw fading. "One step at a time."
The beast was home. And for the first time in his life, he wasn't alone.
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