Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

KASMINE.

I was terrified: The silence in the car was unbearable.

I sat stiffly in the back seat, my hands clenched into fists on my lap as I stared out of the

window.

Kester was seated beside me, leaning back with his hands casually resting on his thighs, his jaw tight, and his expression carved from stone.

He hadn't said a word to me since he saw me with Jake. In fact, as soon as I saw him, he quietly walked away..

I least expected him in my school. I never knew he had something important to take care of there. I wouldn't have sat down in plain sight with Jake.

He had sent June home, and the poor girl couldn't even complain. She took it in good fate, promising to return next weekend.

Sometimes I wonder what she was still doing with a douchebag like my brother.

His silence was worse than anger, and it made my skin crawl. I dared a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some clue as to what he was thinking, but his face betrayed nothing.

The driver navigated the convoy through the city streets that led to Kester's estate. My nerves frayed.

Say something, Kasmine. Explain yourself. I kept chanting to myself.

But no. I couldn't. Explaining myself would make me seem guilty. And I wasn't guilty of anything... was I?

I swallowed hard; my gaze fixed firmly on the passing scenery. My palms were sweaty, my heart pounding. The quiet was maddening, but I couldn't bring myself to speak first. I knew Kester. If I said the wrong thing, his fury would ignite.

The car pulled into the driveway, and the convoy came to a smooth stop in front of the house. My chest tightened as I stared at the familiar building. I didn't want to go inside. The walls of that house would trap me with Kester, with whatever punishment he was silently preparing.

The driver opened the door, and Kester stepped out first. I followed, my legs feeling like lead as I climbed out and made my way up the stairs.

Kester paused by his door, pulling out his key to unlock it. I didn't wait for him to say anything

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why would he start now? I continued walking toward my room, but

to gasp before he yanked me backward with a force that sent me stumbling into him. His grip was like iron, his fingers digging into

room.

choke

his towering frame blocking any escape. His face was inches from mine now, his forest-green eyes burning with an intensity that

frolicking around with that dimwit?" he

swallowed, my heart hammering against my ribcage. "I wasn't doing

make me flinch. "That's his name, huh?” He let out a small laugh, his face

voice came out weak and teary. I realized I had messed up by mentioning Jake's name. I know what Kester was

that what you call holding hands under a

mix of embarrassment and anger. "Yes, because that's exactly what it was! You're blowing this out

my head. I couldn't let Kester keep

beside my head, and I jumped. His closeness was suffocating me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that left no room

low and dangerous voice. "I told you to stay away from anyone until you find

don't get to control me like this!" I shot back, my voice rising despite the fear tightening my chest. "I'm not a

"You're not a child, Kasmine?" he repeated in a low, biting whisper. "Is that what Jake taught

He was looking for every means to

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it's not like that," I stammered, shaking my head desperately as a stubborn

of his lips. It wasn't amusement. No, it was something far more sinister. "Don't lie to me, Kasmine. You've been taking lessons from Jake," he said

I whispered, trembling.

ice through my veins. "You'll never see him again," he declared coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion as though he were simply stating

my face. “What? No, Kester,

"And I will.” He leaned in closer,

to my ear.

make sure Jake is

throat. I knew what he meant. He didn't have to spell it out. Jake's life was in danger, and