Page 32 of My Shining Stepbrother

“What does that have to do with you, Reese?” The annoyance and anger seep out through her words.

“When my father moved here, he changed his name. He ran away from the life he grew up in. They chased him for years but could never locate him. Then he met my mom. They settled down and lived a quiet life running the sub shop. When they had me, my father was terrified of his past returning and chasing me down as they did for him. He trained me the same way they trained him. I hide behind my businesses and take down some of the worst men. I research every hit to ensure innocent people are not harmed or killed. I’m not a bad guy, Rose. I would never harm you or anyone you know and love.” The words fall out of my mouth like vomit. I feel a weight lift from my shoulders as if she is the one I was always meant to tell my story to.

“Essentially, you were raised to be a killer? Why do you continue to do it?” Her question spins around inside of my head.

“I have been taking myself out of the job for months now. I have two other men who work for me and accept or deny the hits. They have been doing the jobs without me for months. There are now only four people in this world who know who I am.” She places her hands back on the table, and I take them in mine. “Rose, please do not tell a soul.”

“Reese, this is a lot to take in.” Her anger begins to subside, and she squeezes my hands, reassuring me that we may be okay.

“I know, beautiful, but please give me a chance, and I will answer all the questions you may have.” I rub my thumbs against her knuckles, trying to calm both of our nerves.

“Okay.” She says with a smile and a little nod.

I stare at her with a hopeful smile as we sit in silence. Until now, I never realized how strong my feelings for her were. I love her; I love my beautiful Goddess. Fuck I ruined everything…

After a few more moments of unbearable silence, she takes a deep breath and pulls her hands out of mine.

“Let's start with those questions.” She takes another deep breath holding her hands in front of her with her fingers interlocked.

“Ask away, beautiful.” I lean back in my chair, keeping my hands on the table.

“Did you know my mother was dating your father eight months ago?” she asks, catching me by surprise. I was expecting questions about my job, but this works as well.

“No, I knew he began seeing someone with two daughters, but I never knew she was your mother.” she nodded as she took a drink of her wine.

“Do you enjoy your main job” she uses finger quotes around the main job to emphasize what she means.

“No, it was something I was good at, and I saw a way to make money from it.” Now I realize how shitty that sounds.

“That doesn't help me, Reese.” She pulls her hands back and puts them in her lap.

“I'm sorry.” I want to reach for her and tell her I'm not dangerous to her. “I'm trying to be honest with you, Rose.”

“I know. I'm sorry I do appreciate you telling me the truth.” She looks down as if she is thinking and then meets my eyes with a sad gaze. “Did you have feelings for me, or were they fake to keep an eye on me?” That question hits me like a ton of bricks. I really fucked this up.

“Rose, my feelings for you were never fake, just like they aren't fake right now. I have never needed to keep an eye on you, and I don't plan on doing it now.” I stand up and walk to her before squatting down. I take her hands in mine and stare into her eyes. “Everything I said was true. Everything I feel is real. We are real, Rose. You are so talented and beautiful that I'm shocked daily that you have ever been with me. Your soul is just as beautiful as the outside. You have scars on the inside that I want to help you with. I have never cared more about any person in this world than I do you. I never wanted to hurt you, and I'm so fucking sorry for that.”

“Are you done with The Hidden?” her eyes never leave mine.

“Yes, I won't do it unless it is deemed absolutely necessary.” I tell her honestly, hoping she can see it.

“That means your family, right?” Her sad face slowly turned into the beautiful, curious one I'm used to.

“Yes, and you are included in that. You have become my family, and not because of our parents. I will protect you with everything I have inside of me.” I tell her with all of my feelings lying on my chest.

“Reese.” She whispers.

“You’re not changing my mind on that, Rose. I know you need to process this information.” I let go of one of her hands and lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “My father hates the monster he created but accepts me for who I am. I never wanted to kill. It’s just what I have always known. I was young and dumb when I started my business. I have two other men who enjoy it, and they can continue it without me. The business is still mine, so I handle the bookings and research. I am okay with that part, but Rose, are you okay with me doing that?”

“You care about what I think in all of this?” Her voice is skeptical.

“Of course I care, Rose. I want you in my life and am not letting you go easily. I cannot see a day in my life without you in it. I will do whatever you want for you to stay with me. I'm not letting you run when you aren’t in danger.” I move my hands to her thighs, squeezing tight. “This tattoo shows me how you feel about me and baby; I feel the same. I won’t lose you without fighting for us first.” I point to my chest before placing it back on her thigh.

“I can handle the fact you run the business. I just don’t think I could handle it if you were still going out and killing people when you could be lying in bed with me.” She puts her hands on the sides of my face. “I don’t need to know anything about that business. I will still work at the shop, but I will be quitting the club.”

“Is It because of me?” I look into her eyes as I ask her. “If you like your job, then please don’t quit because I own the place.”

“I don’t like my job at the club. It was always about the money for me, Reese. The shop has been bringing me a steady income lately, and I need to focus on it. I want to clear my evenings and nights to spend time with you.” My heart starts to beat again. She still wants me despite everything. My mouth drops open wide with shock.

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