Page 41 of My Shining Stepbrother

He runs his hands over his face while taking a deep breath. “I’m not giving you a restart, bean. I’m giving you and Reese time to figure this out. I will speak to Reese and bring him here and get a plan going. I know him, and I want him to have full advantage to destroy the fucker ruining your life.” The confusion spins around me. What the fuck is he talking about?

“I want Reese here. I need him here.” I look down at my knees as my head starts throbbing again.

“I know, bean, I know.” He squats down in front of me but doesn't touch me.

“Please stop calling me that. It hurts hearing that name.” The six-year-old girl cries inside, filling the sadness I'm refusing to acknowledge.

“I can’t. I want to fix this, please, bean. Let me fix this.” He begs and pleads again to me, but I refuse to give him what he wants.

“Get me, Reese, please….” I drop my forehead to my knees, not wanting to look into my father's eyes.

“Of course, bean.” I hear him stand up and start to walk away. “By the way, I never stopped watching you or loving you. You grew up beautifully, Rose. I'm proud of you.”

I turn my head to the side, so he won't see me cry when he comes back. My head feels heavy, and my vision blurs. I want Reese here... I need Reese here…

Chapter 21

- Reese -

I’m driving back to my shop to start working on Ricky and get to the bottom of this. When my phone rings, I pick it up to see her smiling face and name slide across my screen. I quickly answer it as I slam on the brakes.

“Rose!! Baby, where are you?!” My voice came out loud and shaky.

“It’s not Rose, meet me at the park. I’ll bring you to her.” I don't know who the mysterious voice on the other end is, but I have no other option. I have to trust him.

“I'll be there in five minutes.” I hang up my phone and turn my car around, stomping the gas pedal on the floorboard. I will rip apart whoever took her from me.

I pull into the park, but it's empty. Anger starts to rise inside of me all over again. This fucker set me up, and I fell for it.

As I am mentally beating myself up, my phone rings. I look down to see her smiling face again, lighting up my screen. I don't waste my time and quickly answer it.

“Hello?” An annoyed tone comes out while I stare at the empty park in front of me.

“Go sit on the bench for two minutes and listen to what I tell you to do.” That same voice comes through the phone as I slowly get out of my car.

“As long as I get Rose back.” I start walking with heavy feet as I speak quietly.

“Don't worry, you will. First, you are going to let Ricky go. Ronnie thinks he hired him, but I did. This will all make sense when you meet me. Next, you will drive five miles toward town. You will see a little dirt road to the side next to an old outhouse. Turn off your headlights and turn left there. Another three miles down the road is an old abandoned house. Pull in there, and I will meet you inside.” His tone is straightforward, with no emotion.

“I need to know I’m not walking into a trap.” I hide my anger slightly as I try to calm down.

“She needs you, Reese. She is my bean, and I promise I would never harm her.” The moment he called her bean triggered a memory in my head. Rose said her father used to call her Bean when she was growing up. It can't be him, though. No father would put their daughter through this trauma. Right?

“Okay, I’ll be there.” I go to stand, but his voice on the other end stops me.

“One minute left on the bench. Calm down and breathe. We will meet soon.” He hangs up, leaving me to wonder how he knows what I'm doing.

I sit for another minute and collect myself. I finally stand and walk to my car, driving down the road. I follow all his directions, and I finally get to the house. I step out of the car and walk inside. A man with a gray beard and hair is sitting in an old chair with a candle lighting the room.

“Good to meet you, Reese.” He stands to his feet almost as if he is sizing me up .

“Who are you?” I don't care, but I need to play this way.

“The Exterminator.” he says without moving a muscle.

I instantly go into defense mode. Straightening my shoulders and standing to my full height. This man is ruthless and kills without another thought in his mind.

“Don’t worry. I will not hurt you or her. Follow me. She is down here. She looks worse than she is. I promise you that.” My heart starts racing faster than before. What the fuck does that mean?!

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