Page 64 of She will Always be Mine

Now that we’re against each other, I can’t let down my guard around him. I’m prepared for whatever he plans to throw my way.

My only weakness is Nyra, which he knows, so I’ll have to be extra careful once she’s back because he will use her to get back at me.

Naturally, I won’t allow that.

Ignoring him, I walk toward my own car to avoid ruining my good mood. However, it’s too late now because I’ve seen him.

I also don’t want to cause a scene with our mom so close and make her worry for no reason. Our animosity should only remain between us.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” he jabs but I don’t react. Still, he doesn’t relent, clearly looking for a fight. “Since you only loved to follow Nyra like a lost puppy. I wonder how Mom will feel about that.”

Now I want to smirk because he couldn’t be further away from the truth. I can’t wait when he finds out, though.

“It’s still my house, little brother,” I remind him without turning around and unlock the car to sit behind the wheel, when his voice stops me in my tracks.

“How is Nyra, by the way?” he continues like we’re having a casual conversation. “Oh wait, she isn’t talking to you anymore. Well, it was only a matter of time before Auntie got through to her and made her realize what a mistake you were.”

Every bone in my body tightens and my shoulders pull tight at the smugness behind his voice. I’m tense at the fact that he can even imply it and not because he’s trying to drive a wedge between Nyra and me by playing at my fears.

Too bad he doesn’t know Nyra will never do that, no matter how many lies she spills.

He’s still holding on to his delusions that he did the right thing. And I’m afraid he might never let go of this sad illusion.

Something else that’s rubbing me the wrong way about his statement is the certainty with which he said it, like he knows more than I do. It unnerves me in an eerie way. If it were anybody else, I would probably let it slide but since it’s him, I cannot ignore it.

So, I decide to stay back and indulge him a little.

Maybe he’ll give something away.

Twisting around to face him, I find him leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets and his legs crossed.

Keeping my face impassive and my eyes pinned on him, I pull a cigarette from the pack in my suit jacket and light it up. While doing so, I watch him lose his patience and enjoy making him simmer in anger. I take my time while answering him.

“I see you didn’t learn your lesson, Zain.”

“Which is?” he sneers.

“That Nyra and my relationship is none of your fucking business,” I remind him calmly. “In fact, I don’t want to hear her name come out of your mouth ever again.”

I let my words sink in while he glares at me. Then, after throwing the butt of the cigarette to the side, I turn around to leave.

“Or what?” he taunts. “I have got nothing left to lose, Riaan. But you do, especially our precious little cousin. If I choose to really hurt you, there’s nothing you can do about it. She doesn’t have to be in the same city for me to tear you both apart again, so better me careful, brother.”

My vision blackens in rage as he threatens me. Turning around, I cover the distance between us and grab his collar, not caring if anybody sees us. “What the fuck did you say?”

He grins like a maniac and threatens again, “Actually, I’d rather wait until she’s eventually back because guess who Auntie is going to trust the most to protect her from you? Me. She’ll be under my watch and I might just take a taste of her too. Maybe then, I’ll understand your obsession with her. I bet she’s a great fuck to have if she kept your attention for so long. I’m willing to share her if you—”

Before he can finish the thought, I pull back and smash my fist hard in his face. How fucking dare he threaten to touch what’s mine. Enraged and the only thought echoing in my mind to kill him for even thinking that he can lay a finger on my Nyra or go anywhere near her, I hit him harder.

I lose count of how many times I punch him until blood spills from his mouth and I hear the crack in his nose. The black rage I was holding back, that burned underneath my skin, comes out roaring like a lion. My only thought is to end him right here and now.

Somehow, through the fog of my blind fury, I realize he isn’t even fighting me back and only glares cockily while cuts and bruises decorate his face.

Shoving him backward until he smashes against the side of his car, I step back while my chest heaves in aggression, and the vein in my temple throbs incessantly.

I can’t believe there was a time when I thought I could trust him and expected him to be on my side. I couldn’t have been more fucking wrong.

The lines he’s crossed are something I’ll never forgive him for. He’s no longer my little brother with whom I grew up side by side.

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