Page 46 of Quinlan

At Rex’s warning, a grin slashes across Rome’s face, reminding me he’s a predator. I’m wet between my thighs. Terrified of what that grin means and yet wanting it all the same.

Rome pulls back by an increment, twisting to look up at Rex without releasing me.

If anything, he holds me tighter.

“Half-sister,” Rome corrects Rex.

“Let. Her. Go.” Rex’s hand is on Rome’s shoulder.

“I don’t think I will.” In a swift, graceful movement, Rome wraps an arm around me. Yanks me into his lap and locks me to his chest. “She’s comfortable here. With me.”

Everything happens so fast that I gasp. His thick cock pokes my ass when I land on him and Rex is there, standing over us. He’s furious.

I’m helpless.

As if Rome has some sort of control over me, I stay put. Don’t question why he’s doing this or why he’s being this crude.

It’s obvious. Rex is being demanding and angry. Rome has been possessive from the second he saw me. He’s violent, that’s another thing about him.

What isn’t as clear is why I’m comforted by it. My hands find his strong forearm. Finally. His skin is smooth. Blood pumps beneath his accentuated veins.

“Quinlan.”

I can’t bring myself to look at Rex. Rome’s busted knuckles are safer than Rex’s wrath. They are.

I’m choosing the side of a total stranger.

I’m choosing my freedom.

Or is it another prison?

“Let her go,” Rex repeats when I don’t obey him. I hear the effort in Rex’s voice. He’s trying to drag Rome’s chair back. Force Rome out of it.

Emphasis on trying.

Rome’s feet are planted to the floor. His muscles strain. He and I don’t budge an inch.

“You’re harassing my sister. You need to leave.”

“Harassing?” Rome barks a laugh. A clipped, mocking one. His hand splays on my stomach, pulling me—no, thrusting me—against his cock. Oh no, his lips brush my cheek. This is what dying of humiliation is like, isn’t it? “Quinlan’s a big girl. She’s here with me of her own free will. We’re having fun, aren’t we, sweetheart?”

Rex’s rage is everywhere. It’s damn near as intense as Rome’s fingers as they dig into my stomach. “Quinlan. Get the fuck up.”

No more hiding. Rome was right, I am a big girl. Without giving it another thought, I whip my head up. Furrow my brow as I level him with the most serious glare I can muster.

Which is a terrible hardship. All these emotions are making a mess out of me.

On the one hand, I’m turned on by Rome and his scruff grazing my cheek.

On the other hand, Rex’s controlling behavior is pissing me off.

My brother has been great all these years. And overbearing. If I don’t do exactly as he said, he throws a fit. Screams at me.Belittles me. He said it’s what big brothers are for. That it was for my own good.

I’ve let it go on for as long as I have to spare his feelings. I’ve been okay with his temper. With him throwing a tantrum when I didn’t tell him where I’ll be and when.

He’s given me some rope over the last couple of years. Although he didn’t let me have it without a fight.

This has to end. He can’t treat people like this, including me.

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