Page 5 of My Shining Stepbrother

“Thank you. I owe you one.”

I nod, but I know I won’t expect her to do anything for me in return.

“How was work tonight anyway? I know you said you were busy, but I can tell something happened.”

Why can she read me so well?

“Uhhh, nothing exciting, just busy and the same as usual.” I rush through the sentence trying to leave the subject quickly. “I’m tired, so I am going to go to bed. Goodnight, Rach!”

“Goodnight, Rose.” We both disappear into our bedrooms after saying goodnight.

Chapter 3

- Reese -

I woke up this morning and felt like I was on the moon. Watching her body move as it did almost caused my heart to explode from excitement. Her tattoos are perfectly placed, and her free-handed ones are stunning. I knew they were Greek mythology the second I saw them, but I wanted to know what they meant to her. The way she spoke about Hades and Persephone was so moving. She knew the correct number of seeds and what happened when she ate them.

Hades didn’t keep her trapped in his world ashis prisoner, but rather to protect her from Zeus. Right and wrong weigh heavily against each other regarding these two. Hades was banished to the underworld by a controlling older brother, one that was terrified of the fact Hades was stronger. Just thinking about it, how would you feel if you were the cause of the death of people, but your stronger younger brother was there to fix it all before it began?

In many ways, I feel she is Persephone trapped in a world she doesn't belong. My father has told me bits and pieces of how Anita reacts to her and her life decisions. I wish I knew more about their relationship. She should be proud of her daughter and her accomplishments.

Rolling out of my bed, I still see her in my head. Both occurrences of yesterday's meetings came into view. She was nervous and timid at the restaurant, but she was free to be herself at the club. She could express herself in the way she wanted. She wasn't ashamed of who she was there. I was captivated by it.

I shower quickly and walk downstairs to the kitchen, where my dad sits with a cup of coffee. He looks at me and sits an empty mug next to him. Taking it, I make myself a coffee and join him. The silence between us is not the same as usual. I can tell he has questions burning. My father knows everything about me and what I do for a living. Something that very few people know.

He takes a deep breath before turning to look at me again. His mouth opens and closes multiple times before the words finally come out. “Just tell me if it's your club, Reese.”

“It is.”

He nods his head in understanding, but the look on his face is sad. I won't lie to him; I never have and never will.

“Keep her safe, please. From what I understand, she has had a rough life, and although I care for and love Anita, she hasn't made it any better. That girl has a beautiful soul and a true talent.” His voice is so quiet that I wouldn't have heard it if I weren't paying attention to him.

“I will keep her safe, Dad, but not as a brother would. It wouldn't be right because I have been watching her for months. She is stunning, and I plan on doing something about that. Would that be a problem for you?” As I said, I wouldn't lie to my father. Since she stepped into the club, she has been my main focus. No other woman has compared to her.

My dad smiles at me, letting me know it's okay with him, but it quickly falls. “Anita will be the one to have a problem with it. Please don't say anything to her until you both know it's what you want.”

“I can do that.” And I will. I will do whatever needs to be done for her to feel safe and wanted.

I stand up and put both of the cups in the sink. My dad leaves the kitchen, and I do the same shortly after. I go back upstairs and get dressed for the day. I have to visit a woman about a tattoo.

- Rose -

I woke up this morning with new excitement. I quickly grab a shower and get dressed today for the shop. I go for a black tank top that says Raging Ink with a skull and a pair of jean shorts matching them with my black Hey Dudes.

I walk downstairs to see my mom and Rachel sitting at the table. I grab a bagel and cream cheese. I pop the bagel in the toaster and turn to look at them both. “Good morning, you two.” I smile at them. It feels so foreign to be this happy in the morning.

“Good Morning, sweetie. I didn't even hear you sneak down. How was work last night?” My mom doesn't even look up in my direction, which is probably a good thing because she will freak out the minute she sees my outfit.

“Pretty good, just the same normal night.” As I say it, my bagel pops out, and I spread some cream cheese.

After putting the cream cheese back in the fridge, I sit at the table. Rachel looks at me with a long face before she acknowledges me. “Morning, Rose...”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “What's wrong?” The only thing I can think of is that she got caught.

She doesn't have a chance to answer because my mom does it for her. “She got in trouble because she forgot to do the dishes before bed last night.”

I want so badly to laugh but instead opt for my loving sarcasm this early morning. “Rach, how could you? This may destroy our family.” I catch her soft smile out of the corner of my eye, and my mom throws her dagger eyes at me.

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