Page 59 of Crown of Steel

That’s…not what I expected. “We’re rivals, though,” I counter.

Dominique nods. “That you are. But rather than being pushed along, you can decide the rules.” I can decide the rules? Eyeing the room, I let my brain bend over those words. At first glance, every single centimeter of their shared space is occupied by Dominique’s obsessive boyfriend. But when I take a closer look, I see that I’m wrong. Traces of Dominique linger all around us—music books, the piano, his clothes, a signed football that doesn’t seem to belong to any of them…

“The Deverauxs are used to having everyone wrapped around their little finger, Régis. They may not know it, but they do. Because they’re wealthy, and good-looking, and because they stand tall together.”

“I can decide the rules,” I repeat, tasting the words in my mouth. I want to tell him that I already tried that, but that it didn’t work. “Like you?”

Dominique nods. “You see, Gaël comes from a different world than I do. Everything about us screams unconventional. And maybe we are. Maybe we weren't meant to have life taken on a different course. I would never have met him if my brother hadn’t died. But we did meet each other. Gaël is possessive as hell, cool and distant to those he doesn’t know, but I have never loved another person as much as I love him. Together, we work on creating our own realm.”

“I don’t want to be with Arthur,” I blurt in reply, heart pounding fast. Something shudders in my chest, making it tighten with a need so feral I didn’t know I had that. It makesme confused, and judging from the way my face flushes, a little embarrassed.

Dominique just gives me a soft, knowing smile. He doesn’t reply, which is a good thing, since my thoughts are bouncing around, questions screaming to be asked.

“And what about—” I close my mouth. Fuck, it’s on the tip of my tongue. I shouldn’t mention it, but damn it… I want to.

“The brotherhood?” Dominique cocks his head, then smiles. “Oh, I know about them. You don’t think Gaël could keep that hidden from me?” He shrugs. “They sometimes ask me to play during their gatherings.”

“What? They do? So you were…” Something furls inside my stomach. “Were you there the other day? Did you see me?”

Dominique nods, then shakes his head. “No. I mean, they won’t let me see, I’m not a brother. I just got to play. Blindfolded,” he adds, when I crease my brows in confusion.

“Blindfolded?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

He lets out an amused huff. “Am I okay with that? Am I okay with the simple existence of their brotherhood? I could ask you the same question.”

“Now I understand why you called us the black sheep when you first asked me to join the chess club.”

“Yeah.” He smiles at that.

“I’m not okay with the brotherhood, if you want to know.” Feeling a little braver now that this is no longer some heavy, hidden secret, I add, “And I’ve told Arthur.”

Dominique’s eyes widen, and he whistles softly. “You did?”

“Yeah. I mean, he’s been asking me about my opinion. We’ve been having discussions about, you know, different stuff.” Which has been…nice. I don’t tell him that, though. I’m not ready to hear myself say those words. A silence follows as he just stares at me. Then, “Arthur doesn’t usually ask people’s opinions. He’s a bit like the box of Pandora. Enigmatic, unpredictable. But then he is different when he’s with you. And he’s good-looking, right?”

“Oh, shut up.” I wince, and that makes him laugh even more. “He’s my stepbrother, Dominique.”

“Doesn’t stop him from claiming you. They tend to do that, the Deverauxs. They kind of just barge in and make you theirs. Stepbrother or not.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen.” I stand up, suddenly feeling lighter, despite the topic. “What about you?” I gesture to the piano. “I’ve only talked about myself…”

Dominique shakes his head. “This was enough for me. Sometimes I get a little too caught up in my head, you know? Then it’s nice to have a friend around.” Dominique’s phone buzzes with a message, and judging from the smile on his face, it’s Gaël.

“Well, I better get going. Thank you for the concert.”

He looks up from his phone. “Anytime, Régis. You want to meet up and play some chess with the guys tomorrow night?”

“Yeah, that sounds nice.”

“Cool.” He watches me leave. “Oh, and Régis. What’s about to happen is pretty inevitable. So trust me when I say that you want to do things on your terms.”

It’s quiet in the woods. Football practice finished about fifteen minutes ago by the sound of their team cheer. That means that by now, the Deverauxs must be back inside, doing god knows what.

Cool air brushes gently through my hair as I keep a steady pace over the sand path with its oak trees looming over. Where the path breaks up in two different trails, I hesitate only briefly, searching around my darkened surroundings as I do so. Whereis it? Turning my flashlight on, I use my phone as guidance, its sharp light illuminating the dark shrubs with its dancing leaves as the wind blows through them. My gut clenches a little with trepidation, remembering all too well when Arthur found me in those woods.

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