Page 10 of Reckless Rebel

“You have got to be kidding!” I turn to Jace, “You, the guy I met mid-orgy, off his face, are Fia’s brother?” I’m yelling now, but I can’t help myself, this cannot be happening.

He coughs at my words, “Erm, I was a little drunk,” he tosses a panicked look my father’s way. “It was a party,” he adds, like that explanation is enough to justify what I saw last night.

No. No way am I letting him anywhere near my sister, but fate has other ideas. I hear the front door swing open and the hard pad of Sofia’s running footsteps as she hurls towards the living room.

“Riley!” She yells, barreling towards me until she spots Jace and she halts. We are both used to dad having people over, but none that look like him.

He and I stand in a silent stare off, him frozen to the spot by her matching hazel glare, until my dad clears his throat as my mom appears in the doorway.

“Fia, there is someone I want you to meet.” As soon as the words leave his mouth both her and my mom's eyes fix on Jace.

I know immediately that my mom knows exactly who he is, and just when I think he is going to have to repeat those awful words again, Sofia screeches.

“Oh my god, is this him, is this my big brother.” She is practically vibrating on the spot with excitement at the prospect of it being him.

My dad nods. “Yeah, Sweetheart, come and meet Jace.”

He doesn’t even get his name fully out before she is diving towards Jace and wrapping her arms around his waist, her words muffled into his torso. “I’m so excited to meet you, Jacey.” Oh great, she’s already giving him a nickname.

Jace looks a little lost, but brings his arms around her shoulders softly, staring down at her in disbelief. Like he can’t quite believe this is real. The tension is ridiculous, and my anger is burning through my entire being. Is my dad not going to stop this? Did he not just hear what I said about the damn orgy, never-mind the drugs. He works with addicts for god's sake.

I look at my mom, attempting to plead with my eyes to stop this, to step in and slow this bullshit down, but her smile is solely focused on them. Christ. Has everyone in this house gone freaking insane?

Sofia pulls back and looks up at him like he has hung the damn moon, “I knew you’d come meet me, I’m too awesome not to know.” She smiles sweetly as she delivers her statement and he laughs. This real and husky sound and it’s the most real sound I’ve heard from him.

“Well, you have definitely got the Conrad attitude.” He smiles at her and I can already feel their sibling bond forming and I can’t hold in my scoff. Sofia doesn’t hear it, but apparently the Rebel doesn’t miss a thing as his gaze swings to mine. He stares at me so fiercely that I have to force myself not to fidget under it. Stupid orgy asshole.

My mom cuts the tension as she steps fully into the room, holding out her hand to Jace. “It’s so good to finally meet you, dear. Elle told us so much about you.” He takes her hand, oh yeah he’s filled with respect now, and then I frown. Elle? Who the hell is Elle?

He laughs, “Not too much, I hope.” He cringes slightly, looking back at my dad, probably recalling the orgy I just revealed. “I’m sorry for showing up unannounced,” he adds on, god why is he being so fucking polite, it’s infuriating. My parents are lapping it up.

“Don’t be ridiculous, you’re family.” My mom smiles, and I can’t stand it any longer.

“I’m going to shower,” I snap, already stalking from the room in an attempt to escape the freakin’ Brady Bunch show that's going down in my living room. Except apparently now they feature tattooed playboys, who know how to throw down in every sense of the word.

I make it down the hall and to the bottom of the stairs before I am accosted. “Sorry, but have I done something to offend you?” The careless Rebel stares down at me, his 6ft something frame towering over me, and again I fight the squirm.

“You mean apart from your existence?” I snark, I’m not normally this rude, in fact, most people pride me on how polite and well mannered I am, but there is just something about him that rubs me the wrong way.

He snorts a laugh, “Trust me, no one is bothered by that more than me.” He tosses out the vague statement the same way he did last night before he left me standing outside the bathroom. I’ve never heard anyone talk the way he does, it’s unsettling.

He’s gorgeous, because of course, how else would he find himself in an orgy with three girls, but his asshole personality outshines his looks by far. Quite clearly he is living his best life, if last night is anything to go by, so why are all his words laced in regret and sadness?

“I don’t want you around Sofia, you’re a bad influence.” My words are bold, and he huffs a laugh.

“Again, something I knew before you.” He shakes his head like I’m stupid. “Look, you don’t know me.” He starts and I cut him off.

“I know enough!”

“I can assure you, you will never know enough about me. Last night was then and this is now, it’s not like I’m planning on attending my next orgy with my little sister in tow.” He says it like I’m a child, and the way he casually refers to his next orgy makes me want to punch him in his stupid face.

“Don’t call her that, she is my little sister, not yours.”

He rolls his eyes. “DNA says otherwise, I don’t want to cause any problems, I just want a chance to get to know her.”

I lean in, unable to hide my anger and I spit through my teeth, “Then earn it. Until then I’m not interested”

A slow cocky smile spreads across his face, and I watch as his gaze trails over me from head to toe. I’m wearing dance tights, a sports bra, and some sneakers, but suddenly I feel underdressed. “Oh, everyone’s interested, Little Red.”

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