_Kieran's POV_
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my black dress shirt. The fabric clung to my frame, fitted perfectly to my body. The dark color suited me—strong, refined, unreadable. I paired it with a sleek pair of dark grey slacks and polished black shoes.
Tonight was important. Not because I was looking forward to this date—but because it was another step in securing my future. A future I had chosen.
I ran my fingers through my damp hair and styled it carefully. I ensured that every strand was in place. Annalisa deserved to see a man who was put together, someone she could trust, someone who wasn’t plagued by ghosts of the past.
Atlas huffed inside me.
You're lying to yourself.
I ignored him.
A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Are you still in
