Page 34 of My Shining Stepbrother

I hear the movement around me, but I don't open my eyes. Maybe it's his turn to run away now. Instead, I feel his hands grab mine as he pulls me into his chest. He moves his hands to my waist to pull me even closer.

Once I am pressed against him, he grabs my face and smashes his lips to mine. A kiss so full of love and affection I feel my knees begin to go weak. I fall into the kiss, and the only thing now holding me up is his body.

He missed me just as much as I missed him. He wraps his arms around me as he presses his forehead to mine. “I missed you so much, baby. You needed to process everything I wanted to give you that time. I am sorry for not showing you the affection you needed.” His voice shakes with affection. “Baby, I need to talk to you about something.”

“What's wrong?” His change in tone now worries me.

He takes a deep breath and pulls back to look me in the eyes but never lets go. “One of the guys came to see me before I got here. Someone put a hit out on you, Rose. Do you know who could have done this? Has anyone been following you recently? Anything you can think of to help me make this go away. Please, baby, help me save you.”

My body starts to shake. That fucking asshole…. “I can do you one even better, Reese. I think I know who it is.” I feel his grip tighten in anger, not toward me but toward the person responsible.

“Who and I will end all of this.” His voice was strong and deep but filled with hatred.

“It’s my ex… He has been stalking me for a while now, but I never thought it would get this bad. It has gotten a little more extreme lately, and I assume it is because he found out about us.” My body tenses as I tell him about my Ex. I should have told him sooner.

“What is his name?” He takes a deep breath calming himself.

“Ronnie Parrish.” I look away from him as I tell him, not wanting to see his expression.

“Are you serious?!” By his tone, I can only assume he knows exactly who I am talking about.

“Yes, that's my ex.” I say ashamedly.

“I need to rethink my strategy here.” He doesn’t let go of me as he drops his head down to my shoulder. “Why did you never tell me about this?”

“I thought he would have stopped by now.” I lean my head onto his shoulder, trying to relax the beating in my chest.

I feel his head lift up from my shoulder before he kisses the top of mine. “How long has it been going on?”

“When I started at the club. He came in one night and saw me. Some things were said, and he started following me from that first night he saw me.” I lift my head to look him in the eyes to finally face his gaze. “His job allows him access to more than you can believe. Please, let me try to handle this first, Reese.”

“Absolutely not. You have me, and I will not let you go through this alone or let you put yourself in danger. I need to call my guys and get this sorted. Do not leave here. I will be right back to take you home. I will have one of the guys come to pick up your car.” I only nod in response. I won’t fight him on this because I can see the look of fear in his blue eyes.

He lets go of me, and I feel empty. I need him. He walks to the door, but as he grabs the handle, I yell out to him to thank him. I want to tell him more, but I can’t. I need to figure this out, but I also need to trust Reese to help me. I know he will protect and keep me safe, but I can’t let him get hurt.

Why is Ronnie doing this? What is he trying to prove?

Chapter 17

- Reese -

I need to discuss the best way to handle Ronnie. I entered my office and Pulled out my phone, calling Matty. I know the little fucker isn’t far, so I tell him to come back through the alley door.

Matty walks in, and before I can point to a chair, he sits down. The look on my face speaks volumes. He will hate what I have to say, but I need him on the same page as me.

“What's going on?” He gets straight to the point.

“She said her ex put the hit on her.” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“How does she know it’s him?” Why couldn’t it have been Trigger? Now I have to prepare for eight million questions by a man full of them.

“He has been stalking her for the last eight months. He saw us together and has taken it up a few notches.” I pull out the bottle of scotch from my drawer with two glasses.

“Who is it?” He asks while I pour the two glasses.

“That's where it gets a little tricky, Matty.” I hand him his glass, but he just sits it down.

“Who the fuck is it, Reese? We need to know who we are going up against to keep her safe.” He leans back, folding his arms over his chest.

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