Page 33 of My Shining Stepbrother

I lean forward and press my lips against hers before pressing my forehead to hers. “Thank you, baby. Thank you so fucking much.”

I retake my seat and we finish our meal. Once we leave, I drive us back to my house. She shocks me again by following me into my room and crawling into my bed after getting changed. I wrap my arms tight around her as I climb in behind her. I need her to know I won’t hurt her and am always here. We don’t need anything else right now. This is what we need more than anything. Maybe we will be okay and make it through this after all.

Chapter 16

- Reese -

It’s been a week of no lies between Rose and I. She knows the truth of The Hidden and has been accepting of it. I have done everything I told her I would and only run the business side, and I have let the guys take care of the rest. She forgave me for withholding the information from her. She quit the club the next day and took a full-time spot at the shop. She is the happiest I have seen, and it only makes me fall more in love with her. I miss her, though. Since that night, I have barely kissed her or touched her. I am waiting for her to tell me she is ready for that.

When I got to the shop today to see Rose, I saw a familiar face. I tried to avoid him because I didn’t want to deal with it right now, but he saw me and walked over anyway.

“Reese, we need to talk.” He stops me with his hand on my chest.

“Now is not a good time, Matty. Why would you show up here of all fucking places? You have my phone number.” I push his hand down from my chest.

“Something happened, and we need you.” I can hear the worry in his tone.

“No, you don’t, Matty. I told you I’m out unless it affects the family. So unless Trigger is hurt badly, you don’t need me.” I say sternly and with a raised voice. “She means everything to me, and I won’t lose her because of this.” I try to step around him, but he stops me again.

“This time, it affects her, Reese.” My heart drops to my feet as his words hit me.

“Get into my office now!” I push him to the alley, entering the side door directly into my office.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Matty?!” I shout as soon as I close the door behind me.

“Someone is after her.” He says while taking his seat.

“My Rose?” I start pacing the floor.

“Yes, They put a price on her head.” I stop pacing and turn to him with anger flowing through my blood.

“Who was it?! I’ll make them wish they were never fucking born!” I slam my fist into the wall next to me.

“It’s more complicated than that. They know she has done no wrong and that we wouldn’t take the hit. They hired someone else, Reese, who is worse than us.” I hear the sadness and anger in his tone.

“Who the fuck did they hire then?!” My patience starts to grow thin.

“The Exterminator…” He looks away from me, not meeting my gaze.

How the hell did this happen? How do I tell her someone wants her dead? How do I tell her I must become The Hidden again to protect her? I have to tell her I can’t hide this from her or she will never trust me again, and I will lose her forever.

I walk out of the office, not saying anything else to Matty. Rose is sitting in the middle of a consultation and I watch for a second before going to see Ricky. I asked him what the rest of her day looked like, which he said was clear. I tell him she is off the rest of the day with pay.

- Rose -

I watched Reese walk out of his office with an unreadable expression. He looked inside my booth and saw me doing a consultation, so he decided to go speak to Ricky. I miss him. I miss him so goddamn much it hurts me. I need his touch and his kisses. I can’t lie to myself anymore. I need him like the air I breathe. I can’t live like this anymore.

I finish my consultation and start cleaning up when my God of a man walks in. His shoulders are tense, and he looks angry at the world. I caused this between us. I need to fix this, and I need to do it now.

“Hey…” I said softly, looking down at my book.

“Hey…” His voice was just as soft.

“Okay, I can’t live like this anymore, Reese.” I set the book down and saw the pleading look in his eyes. “It’s not what you think, so sit down and listen.”

“I'm listening, baby.” He sits across from me as I lean back against the wall.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. “I can’t live life barely speaking to you, let alone barely touching or kissing you. I miss it all, Reese. I fucking miss you. I need you more than I need the air I breathe.” I close my eyes, imagining his touch and pushing away the tears.

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