Page 10 of Becoming His

She tilts her head, a cloudy gaze taking over her face. I know a mental spiral better than most, especially within our family. I move to her and snap my fingers. “Hey, Sam. What’s going on?”

“She’s been telling me you two have been dating for months.”

My chest aches at the betrayal in her tone. My sister has many flaws, but her trust issues are no fault of her own. I squeeze her arm, knowing she won’t want a hug.

“We went on one date. I thanked her for her time and thenkindlyblocked her number. Your friend is a very strong-minded woman, and we wouldn’t… mesh well.”

Sammie nods slowly. “She lied.”

“Many people do, Sam. For a variety of reasons, why don’t you find out why before cutting her off? It might have nothing to do with you.”

Her head snaps back, and she throws the rope onto the floor. I sigh, knowing she’s going to storm off. She is a runner at any type of emotion, but mostly when she is angry or hurt. I catch her wrist when she turns to leave. She blinks up at me.

“If I wanted to send a gift, simply… to thank someone for their presence. What would you recommend?” I throw her the bone to pacify her current state of whatever she mixed up in that fucked up little head of hers.

Her eyes widen. “Did you fuck her?”

I grind my teeth and let go. “Never mind.”

Sammie laughs, following behind me as I grab my gym bag. “I didn’t know you cared enough to send a thank you after you fucked someone.”

Exhaling a long breath, I glare at her. “Forget I asked.”

I regret the words as soon as I say them because her gaze turns calculating.

She tilts her head. “Interesting. Who is she?”

“Nobody,” I grit out, leaving her standing there on the mat. Uncertainty curls in my stomach. I need more time for Brina to commit before the inevitable introduction of my world and everyone who goes with it. While Emery’s husband is well known with an honorable reputation, Sammie and I come from a lineage that is more feared than respected.

“Don’t you have someone to confront?” I try to distract her back to the original topic.

“Don’t I always? Did I tell you I ran into Tanner’s ex? Threatened to fuck her husband if she didn’t leave us alone.” My head snaps to her as she smirks.

“Of course you did,” I mumble back as she grabs her own stuff, and we head out of the private gym in my building. It’s only a floor down from my penthouse. As I push the button to call the elevator, I remember what I wanted to ask her.

“Speaking of Tanner, is he still asking to move in together? The other penthouse is available. I have no plans to lease it soon if that option makes you more comfortable.”

Sammie bites her lip, shifting on her feet. “I think he’s gonna ask me to marry him.”

My eyebrows raise, withholding my grimace. “Hmmm.”

She nods, understanding exactly where my thoughts went. Marriage means nothing. Knocking them up is the only way to stay forever connected to a person.

“I might consider it, and I don’t know why. It’s always been me and him. It’s hard to explain.” I follow her sentiments easily. She and Tanner have been dancing around each other for a while. I think the only people who didn’t know were them. And I guess Tanner’s girlfriend at the time.

“So, you’ll be saying yes. Huh, I never really saw that from you,” I smile, nudging her with my shoulder. “It makes me happy, though. Congrats, Sam.”

She’s silent the rest of the way to the lobby, only once the doors slide open does she admit, “I’m still scared I'll end up like my mom.”

Swallowing to coat my suddenly parched throat, I level her with an equally devastated stare. “I’m still scared I'll end up likehim.”

And damned if I’m not already there.

Brina

Mr. Blackwell

What’s your address?

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