Page 19 of His To Claim

When we reach the front of the house, Ace opens the door and turns to me. “After you, Red,” he says, motioning for me to go through the door.

“I’m not going in there with you. Anything you gotta say to me, say it here.” I cross my hands over my chest and dig my feet into the ground, holding my ground. Ace turns to me again, stepping into my personal space. I try to take a step back but find another hard body at my back.

“Scared of me, Little Red. Think the big bad wolf’s gonna hurt you? Because you should be. You came into my home anddisrespected me, not to mention you've started causing some problems. Now get in before I pick you up and take you in myself.”

“You wouldn’t,” I sneer, scowling up at him.

“Careful, Red, you don’t want to tempt this wolf,” Sebastian answers from behind me. “He bites.”.

I scoff and push through Ace making my way into the house with them close behind me. Inside the house is sleek and modern, with dark gray walls, black furniture, and metal accents. The floor is a dark, almost-black wood, nothing compared to the pristine white exterior. I hear the door close behind me and find that both Alek and Beckett have stayed outside. It’s only Ace, Sebastian, and me inside this immense house which now seems like a terrible idea.

“What do you want with me?” I ask, falling back onto the leather couch behind me. If I’m gonna be here for a while, I might as well get comfortable.

“That’s a loaded question. One I’ll have to get back to you when I have the answer. Not sure what we’re gonna do with you yet, Little Red.”

I stand up pissed at the little pet name he’s given me. “Enough with the nickname. My name is Scarlett, my friends call me Scar. You can call me Scarlett.”

“Feisty little one. My uncle was right,” he says, and my blood is boiling at the mention of his uncle.

“What the fuck does your uncle have to do with me?” I shout.

“Bingo.” His smirk turns sour at my question. “That’s what I want to know.”

“Then why don’t you ask him?”

Ace steps in closer, his face coming down to meet mine making me awfully aware of his closeness. My hands shake at my sides, in both anger and something else that feels quite enticing only I’m trying really hard to suppress that emotion.

“I’m asking you. Why are you here?”

I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding in, as a chuckleescapes me. I sit back down, cross my legs and lean back on the couch. “I’m here because your old man came in and took me and my friends out of our home to bring us to this pathetic place.”

“Servite pathetic, compared to the slums you were living in,” Sebastian sneers in disgust.

I turn and scowl at the jerk. “At least we didn’t have some arrogant pricks walking around calling themselves kings, oh wait… my bad, Horsemen.” I laugh harder and I can tell I’ve hit a nerve.

Sebastian scoffs and turns away sitting down on the couch across from me while Ace continues to hound me with questions.

“I don’t believe you. I heard my dad and uncle arguing about the stupid little charity program my uncle suggested we implement at the academy. Bring the poor kids from the rundown neighborhood into our pristine halls.”

“That was your uncle’s idea?” I ask like he’s gotten my attention.

“And it was all to get you here. His exact words were, ‘I need the Steele girl close.’ So, I ask you again. What is your deal with my uncle?”

I contemplate his answer, and it sickens me.Why does Agent Servite want me here?To make sure my mom doesn’t contact me? I think it’s a bit much for that. He knows she hasn’t tried to contact me in years, why would she now?

“I asked you a question,” Ace says again as he leans forward to meet my level.

“First, you need to get the fuck out of my face.” I say, standing and making him straighten up. I must admit being this close to him is doing weird things to me, sending heat throughout my body to all the wrong places. And fuck when he licks his lips I nearly moan. “And second, I already told you I have no fucking clue why I’m here. All I know is that your uncle is a sick son of a bitch with a hard-on for little girls. So, fuck me if I don’t care to entertain his nephew.” Without another word, I push through him to get away.

Ace grabs my arm and spins me to him, my body clashing withhis hard chest before I can get away. The impact makes my breath hitch and I look up into his eyes. Big fucking mistake. His eyes, now a deep blue color, stare intensely at me, looking for answers they won’t find.

“Careful, Red, you don’t want to provoke me.”

I smirk, licking my lips as his gaze drops to my mouth and I can see the desire grow in his eyes. Two can play at this game.

“But it’s been so fun,” I whisper, leaning my face closer to his. We’re now only centimeters away from our lips touching and although I can feel an ache building up inside me, I know I need to stand my ground to prove I can’t be easily pushed around.

He steps back slightly, loosening his grip on me, and I pull away.

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