Page 114 of The Ruthless Note

Zane snaps his mouth shut. His jaw clenches and he looks seconds away from swiping all the dinner plates and upending the table.

“Mom,” Miss Jamieson chokes out, “you didn’t tell me you’d already gotten married.” Her eyes flick to Zane before landing on her mother again. “And you certainly didn’t tell me that the groom was Jarod Cross.”

“Don’t blame her. We wanted it to be a surprise.” Dad’s cruel smile flickers across his face before he hides it again. “For everybody.”

“Well, color me freaking surprised,” Zane spits.

“Aren’t you going to offer your congratulations?”

“Mom,” Miss Jamieson’s eyes darken, “can I speak to you?”

“About what?” Marian asks innocently.

“Mom,please.”

“Honey, it’s already done.”

“This is your family now,” dad says. “These are your brothers.”

“Family?” Zane’s voice is scrambled. “Don’t pretend you know the meaning of that word, dad.”

“Where are you going?” Dad calls as Zane stomps to the door. “Why don’t you sit down and have a meal with your new step-mom and step-sister?”

Zane freezes like dad just uttered the most despicable words he’s ever heard.

“Jarod,” Marian pounds at dad’s chest with her fist and laughs giddily, “don’t force the boys to call me step-mom.” Her eyes land on each of us. “You can call me ‘Mar’.”

The tension in the room is thick enough to choke on.

Miss Jamieson stares at the floor. From the way she’s wringing those dark, slender hands of hers, she’s clearly flustered.

“Sit down, Zane.” Dad’s voice rings with authority. And then it softens to a coaxing tone. “Or do you have some pressing reason why you can’t stay?”

To anyone else’s ears, dad’s words would sound like concern. But I know who he really is. This isn’t him worrying about Zane’s feelings. This is him sticking his finger into the gaping wound he left in my twin’s chest and rearranging my brother’s guts.

Zane turns slowly. His eyes are red and his chest is heaving. Damn. I’ve never wanted to grab my brothers and run more than I do in this moment. I’ve never wanted to erase the ‘Cross’ from our last names and pretend we grew up in a normal family without a freaking psycho for a father.

When Zane finally speaks, it’s in an extremely polite tone. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

Zane moves swiftly out of the room.

Finn chases after him.

I nod at Miss Jamieson.

She dips her chin sharply, but she can’t quite meet my eyes. Her delicate jaw muscles are straining and it looks like she’s holding herself together with every ounce of will power in her body.

I start to leave the room.

“Tell Zane we’ll do this again when he’s less emotional.” Dad’s crooning tone is like nails on a chalkboard.

My nostrils flare. My fingers pull into fists.

“By the way,” dad adds, “Miss Jamieson isn’t the only one you’ll be seeing at school.” Dad rises and flattens his hands over his tie. “Starting next week, I’m your new music teacher.”

* * *

Jinx: Rockstar Dad Turned Redwood Heartthrob

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