“Hello, little brother.”

31

ELLIOT

Fury floods through my system as Scott marches into the Chapel as if he still belongs here.

It might have been his home before it was ours, but his presence is no longer accepted.

Moving as fast as my legs will carry me, I stand in front of Abigail.There is no fucking way I’m going to subject her to any more of my family’s bullshit.

She’s already endured more than enough.

“Get out,” I say, my voice making me sound way calmer and in control than I actually feel.

My entire body is already trembling with pent-up adrenaline from the past few days.

Unsurprisingly, Scott doesn’t make any kind of effort to do as I say, instead, he widens his stance and lifts his chin.

“You’re not welcome here,” I try again.

“And yet, little brother, I seem to be standing right here in front of you.”

My teeth grind in irritation as a smirk pulls across his lips.I startle when a warm hand lands on my waist before the heat of Abigail’s body burns my back.

Her touch, her support, is everything.

But this isn’t a fight I want her anywhere near.

“What do you want? I have nothing to say to you.” I ask, moving forward, more than prepared to physically throw him out if I have to.

“I’m surprised you need to ask that question. I’m not the one who’s playing stupid games, now, am I?”

I scoff. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

As I close the space between us, he begins to shake his head.“I’m disappointed in you, you know that, little brother?”

“I don’t give a shit what you think about me,” I sneer.

“Giving it all up for a weak damaged girl like her,” he says, his eyes shifting from mine to Abigail.“I always knew you weren’t cut from the same cloth as me and Dad, but I didn’t realise you were so fucking pathetic.”

“Do not talk about her like that?” I warn, my fists curled at my sides, my mouth watering for the pain wiping that smug fucking grin from his face will cause.

It’s been a few years since we really went at it, but I am fucking ready for it.

“Elliot,” Oak warns.

“He’s right, you should leave,” Reese adds.

I sense all three of them step up behind me, also blocking our view from the girls.

“All as bad as each other,” Scott muses. “Bunch of fucking pussies.”

“That’s enough,” Theo barks.

“Oh no. After what this prick has done, it’s not nearly enough,” Scott announces, his eyes firmly locked on mine. “You’re a disappointment, Elliot. You don’t deserve to be a fucking Eaton.”

“Fuck you,” I spit, closing the last bit of space between us.