Page 2 of Rise In Arms

I hear Slade inhale and then sigh. “Okay, I’ll do it. See you at eleven sharp.”

“Will do.”

Just as I’m ending the call, Hazel exits the house. I smile. “Ready?”

“Ready,” she replies moving in step with me.

Over the last six months I’ve saved enough money to buy an apartment. It’s nothing much but it’s home to me. I’d tried to convince Hazel to move in, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She’d wanted to be with Mom, to make sure she was taking care of herself. I’d still dropped by each day, making sure Hazel was fine and that she had food—which most of the time she didn’t, so I took it upon myself to bring her groceries every chance I could.

Hazel finishes school in two weeks, and even though she knew she didn’t have the money to go on to college, she applied to two different ones, and got accepted into both. With a heavy heart, last month Hazel had opened the acceptance letter in front of me, and I’d promised myself then that I would get the money to make sure she got to attend her desired college. She deserved that. Hazel is bright and smart and could be anything she wants to be, but Hazel wants to study to be a lawyer. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve paid the first year’s tuition for college, and she’ll begin next year in the fall.

We stop at the front of my apartment, which is only a few blocks away from where she’s been living. I’d needed to be close to Hazel, and when this apartment became available I paid a deposit, along with a three-month bond.

I punch in the code and the gate opens with a squeak. Opening the gate wide for Hazel to pass, I take her backpack off her shoulder and carry it over mine.

Walking up a couple of steps, I open the front door and walk into the foyer of the apartment building. Hazel stops in the center and looks around at her surroundings. “Kane, this is… this is beautiful.”

I smirk, following her line of sight. It’s nothing much, but compared to where my mom lived, it’s bigger than the Taj Mahal.

“Just over here,” I state, pressing the button for the lift.

A ping sounds and the doors open wide. We step in and I hit the button for the nineteenth floor. Hazel leans back against the wall and crosses her arms over her chest. She’s so tiny, too tiny for my liking. It’s obvious she’s been neglected, the lack of food and essential vitamins leaving her skin pallid, making the black smudges under her eyes stand out even more. I did everything I could to help at the time, but Hazel kept insisting she was fine. Looking over her body, I don’t miss the rip in the knee of her jeans, the over-washed blue T-shirt that’s two sizes too big, and the way her brown hair seems like it hasn’t been washed in months.

“Tomorrow I’m taking you shopping,” I say firmly. I’m so pissed that I let her stay at Mom’s. I should have forced her to come live with me.

Coming out of her thoughts, Hazel frowns. “Sorry, what?”

“Tomorrow, I’m taking you shopping. Need to get you some new clothes.”

She looks down at her attire and sighs. “I’m fine, Kane, I don’t need new clothes. These are just fine.”

I shake my head just before the lift doors open. “I’m buying you new clothes and that’s final.”

She shrugs. “Whatever, like I had a choice anyway,” she grumbles, and I let that slide. She’s just seen her mother die in front of her, she deserves a break.

Walking out of the lift, with Hazel trailing behind, I’m suddenly face-to-face with Chelsea, my next-door neighbor. Her long-fingered hand lands on my chest then trails down my abs, where she pauses and smirks. I’ve been fucking Chelsea since I moved in here. She made it clear from the first time we met she wanted me, and I’m a man after all. If she wants to fuck me with no strings attached, then who am I to say no?

“Chelsea,” I say grasping her wrist in my hand, holding her still, not wanting my sister to witness where I know Chelsea is going.

“Kane, baby,” she coos. “Where have you been? You didn’t come over last night.” She leans in and nips at my earlobe. She smells good, always does, but this thing between us is temporary, and I need to remind her of that. Not saying she’s not beautiful, she is, with her glossy black hair, striking blue eyes, and a full, pouty mouth I know all too well. She’s good in bed too which is a bonus, but right now I’ve got other shit on my mind.

“Uh-hum.” Hazel clears her throat from behind me, and Chelsea stretches her head to look over my shoulder, her face falling when she spots my sister. “Oh. Sorry, Kane, I didn’t know you had company.”

I move aside, letting my sister come into view. “Chelsea, this is my sister, Hazel. Hazel, this is Chelsea, my neighbor.” I don’t miss the way Chelsea’s expression turns into one of relief at the mention of the word sister.

“Nice to meet you,” Hazel says, gesturing vaguely with her small, slim hand.

“You too,” Chelsea replies, popping gum in her mouth. She’s wearing tight yoga pants and an even tighter green singlet top, obviously on her way to the gym.

“Well, I gotta go. I’ll see you later tonight, perhaps?” Chelsea says, hope evident in her eyes.

“Can’t tonight, babe. Got shit to do. Maybe tomorrow,” I suggest, leaning in and smacking her perky ass, grasping the left cheek firmly.

She squeals out “Kane!” and I smirk. She may act shocked, but I know she likes it rough, and the way her eyes darken with desire confirms it. I usually head over to the gym with her, but tonight I need to make sure my sister is okay.

“Till later,” I say.

She smiles up at me. “Later.”

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