Page 43 of My Shining Stepbrother

I puff out a light, breathy laugh. “That sounds about right to me.”

“She was always clumsy as a kid, too.” a sadness falls over them both. I can see how much it hurt him to leave her, similar to how it hurt her when he left.

“The chain on her ankle?” I raise my eyebrow as I point down at it.

“She is a runner, and I couldn’t risk it. I can’t quite chase her down as well as you can.” She rolls her eyes and scoffs.

“I don’t run away from my life anymore, so can you please undo it now?” Her attitude takes over as she glares at him.

He nods before walking over and leaning down to unlock the chains. His hands shake lightly as he gets closer to us. I can only guess it is out of fear. Rose thanks him as I stand us both up and walk her over to an empty chair.

“Now I need to get rid of Ronnie. Rose, do you feel safe staying with him?” She flicks her head between us, but I see it in her eyes. I know what she wants.

“I want you with me, Reese, please.” Her eyes begged just as much as her words.

“I’m just going to call one of my guys, and I’ll be right back. I won't leave you, Rose. You have my word.” She nods, and I lean down, giving her a soft kiss. She melts her lips with mine and gives me a little whimper.

“Have him bring Ricky here, please. Everyone needs to be in this conversation.” I nod toward him, but notice Rose's jaw drop.

“Ricky is part of this?!” She shouts to us both as she tries to stand up. I could tell her head hurt because the fast movement made her gasp in pain, so I guided her to sit back down.

“Yes, I met him after he hired you. He has been keeping an eye on you for me. I will always protect my girls in any way that I can.” She crosses her arms and looks toward me before nodding her head. She is pissed but not at me. Thank God for that.

I step back upstairs and give Matty the directions along with the same rules. I tell him Ricky is not the enemy and needs to come with him while Trigger works his magic on tracking Ronnie. After the call, I walked back to the basement and over to Rose, lifting her from the chair and placing her on my lap.

About thirty minutes go by, and all I do is hold Rose in silence. Matty finally shows up with Rick, who leads him down the stairs. He looks at us and smiles wide with that cheesy ass grin of his.

“Never thought I would get to meet you, beautiful. I’m Matty. I’m one of this ugly fucker’s best friends.” He holds out his hand for her to shake, but instead, she stares at him with an attitude.

If looks could kill Matty would be dead right now. Rose has daggers in her eyes, which are aimed right at him. She stands up and looks at him with her arms crossed over her chest. I’ve never seen this courage or strength from her yet but damn if it isn't sexy.

“First off, don’t call me that. Only this sexy big man right here does. Second off, fuck you because he is the most gorgeous guy in any room, so fuck off.” She starts tapping her foot with annoyance toward him, causing me to laugh.

“Reese, I like her. She has fire inside of her and isn't afraid to use it. You better not fuck this up, man.” That cocky-ass cheesy grin is placed right back on his face.

“Rose, let me really introduce you. This is Matty, one of my best friends and also one of my guys. The other is Trigger, but he won't be here until later.” she nods with a smile toward me, but the attitude comes back when she looks at him. It's getting so hard to hold back my laughter. I look around and notice Ricky and Rick are both gone, which confuses me. “Matty, where did they go?”

“The old guy took Ricky upstairs to talk to him. Want me to go get them “big man”?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, but I flip him off in return.

“Go, you ugly fucker.” he laughs as he runs up the steps taking them two at a time. I look at Rose, who is shaking her head with a smile.

A few minutes later, he comes back down with the other two carrying some extra chairs and setting them down. To annoy me, he puts his closer to Rose, but I lift it with him still seated and move him away. This little shithead is always trying to joke around, no matter what.

“Let's get down to business. Bean, are you comfortable being included?” She rolls her eyes, and I swear if she could dislocate them, it would be happening today.

“It’s about me. So yeah, dad, I’m fucking included.” She barks back at him, but Matty's surprised eyes can swallow us all. I should mention he is also a bit dramatic.

I give her another kiss, never wanting those lips to leave mine. She is showing me a new person today, and I am falling even more in love if that is possible.

“Let's get started then.” Rick and Ricky take their seats and lean back in their chairs.

I want to know everything they know, but I also want to support Rose however I possibly can. I don't know what will be said, but I know I won't like it.

Chapter 22

- Reese -

Right as Rick goes to lead our discussion, my phone rings. I excuse myself as I step to the side, glancing to see if it is Trigger before I answer.

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