Page 29 of Crown of Steel

“Our little Régis…” Louis mumbles when he moves to stand next to me, his eyes following my gaze. “Is in trouble,” he sings. Identical, dark eyes gaze up to meet mine, his usual, playful grin tugged at his lips. “Whatcha going to do about it? Our brothers are getting restless.”

“Hmm.” He’s right. Jitters of turmoil have swirled through the brotherhood lately like some mutual agitation. A hunger for more wickedness. For play, for more power. It has made it challenging to keep everyone concentrated. Our little deviation from Régis not playing his part right now is only making things worse.

“You need his stubborn ass in line for our next initiation.” I grind my teeth and Louis snorts out a laugh. “Although, I haveto say, I was a little surprised that Dad chose you, of all people, to guide him through the next months. He clearly doesn’t know of your rather…” He flashes me a wink, “Naughty thoughts. I was tempted to tell him and Nathalie how I was sure that you’d take real good care of our little s-brother.”

“Fuck off,” I growl.

“Nope, not me. It’s you who has his grumpy, possessive gaze all over Régis, not me. The poor guy doesn’t even stand a chance. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I bet you could get him on all fours in no time. With a nice firm collar hanging around that long, curvy neck, the leash nice and tight, and that cocky mouth of his at work.”

“You’re such an asshole,” I grunt, throwing a playful punch at his shoulder. Though that sounds…my stomach clenches and my dick perks up.

Louis pinches the bridge of his nose. “Seriously though, we need to be careful. Look at how Elder Jacques managed to stir up the situation. We don’t want things to escalate.”

“Wouldn’t he like that? The old pervert.”

“He’s an ass, agreed.” We both snort at that. “Are we sure that Régis actually got the invitation? He hasn’t mentioned it to anyone.”

“Which is why I’ve put Julien on the case. He’s a brother, and being Dominique’s brother’s ex-boyfriend, he knows all about difficult lives.” I wiggle my brows. “I may have promised him an evening with you for every bit of useful information on Régis’s whereabouts.” I huff out a laugh when Louis chokes out a grunt of something close to contempt. Or amusement. Perhaps it’s both, I’m not sure.

“You didwhat?” He grumbles. “And he agreed?”

“Of course he did. His dick is permanently dripping for you, man. So far his information has been useful, but not good enough for him to earn his prize.” Although my brother would jump at any occasion to plough that twink’s tight ass, despite hisprotest. Dominique’s cute friend, all giggly and bratty, has been sweet talking to Louis ever since we started college.

“Apparently our little stepbrother enjoys spending an unhealthy amount of time outside in the forest.”

Louis shrugs. “So, he’s a treehugger? Who cares? It’s a beautiful forest.”

“I want to know what he’s up to, brother. And I will, even if it’s with the help of an outsider. And one of these days, I will find out, despite Régis avoiding me like the plague.”

Louis’s grimace blooms into a shit eating grin. “So you really have lost your shit? Marking your territory all over here, knowing exactly what our little s-brother is up to. Damn, bro, I knew you had it in you. All these years of being the perfect son, but there he is, my evil twin. I fucking love it.” He shakes his head, chuckling to himself, ignoring how I’m visibly boiling with anger and fisting my hands. “Our little stepbrother,” he mutters again, and it’s enough to make me explode.

“I’m too busy for that shit, bro.” I say in denial.

I can’t afford any mistakes.” Though leaving Dad’s office and shoving Régis against that wall while my hand itched to get inside his pants? Yeah, that was sort of a mistake. It was irresponsible. The need to get him all flustered and stammering fuckingferal. Although having my twin catching me in the act? Not so clever. Thank fuck he doesn’t know about what happened that first morning of classes. Flutters of what happened between us at the top of the stairs ravage my mind. Of having his neck between my fingers and his feet off the ground. Pushed against the wall. My cock jerks and I rake a frustrated hand through my hair.

“Yeah? So what are you saying, you’re not fucking him?”

I snort. “Of course not.”

“No?” Louis wiggles his brows playfully. “Want me to ask Dad to put Régis under my care?”

A rumble shatters through my chest, and I squeeze my handseven tighter, frantically chasing the sting. “I’ve got it under control, bro.”

“I just thought, if you’re too busy finishing this year on top of your class, and winning thePrix d’Honneur, I can volunteer. It wouldn’t be the first time that I cover for you.”

“I said, I got it under control,” I grit through clenched teeth, ignoring the way my brother cackles at that, his eyes glimmering, knowingly. He was handed to me, my sexy, little stepbrother. On a fucking platter.Me,of all people. Fuck, if that doesn’t make me feel hot and powerful. Touching him, that full package of perfect innocence, made me feel more aroused than I have felt since a long time. Though… I eye the other option, my brother. Louis is the sturdy one out of the two of us. He’s a tough dude, a bully, the football player, the loud one, the popular guy. He’s my other half, everything I am not, and I love him to bits. Together, we fucking slash it.

“Well, whatever you have in mind, get it sorted. I’m not lying when I say that something’s going on. Our brothers need a change, and the other Elder hanging around with his obscene fantasies is not helping either. What did those three guys do together during the Initiations?”

“Yeah, man, that was brutal.” I saw that. It was fucking hot as hell, can’t deny that. Louis doesn’t say a word, but I know that our minds have drifted off to the same thought.

“We hunt him down. Hunt him down, hunt him down, hunt him down…”

And they will. They are hungry, powerful guys who believe they are entitled to any form of entertainment they choose. If Régis continues to ignore his destiny, things might get out of control. Because they will bring him in and onto his knees. They will play with him until he begs to do his pledge.

Outside, the wind has picked up, toying with the heavy clouds while the treetops stream. And with that, the shadow of Régis disappears into the woods.

“We need to bring him to safety first, Arthur.” Louis muses. “If you want to play with him afterwards, that’s fine. But we won’t give him away. He’s part of our family now.”

---