Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Kasmine, why don't you talk to your brother? Tell him how much I like him," Claire was at it again.

It was lunchtime, and we sat in the cafeteria together, including Jake. I hoped Kester wouldn't get angry over this because I wasn't alone with Jake. In fact, he should feel much better that it was all three of us, which would further prove to him that there was nothing going on between me and Jake.

"I've told you before," I said, stabbing my fork into my food with unnecessary force. "My brother and I are sworn enemies at the moment. I can't help you, Claire. Sorry."

Claire gave a theatrical sigh.

"You haven't been eating, Mine. Is everything okay?" Jake asked.

I froze, the concern in his voice startling me. Was it that obvious? My hand

hovered over my plate as I fumbled for a response.

"I'm fine," I lied smoothly-or tried to. "I just..." My breath hitched, betraying me, so

I added, “I miss my mum. I wish I could see her soon."

Another lie. It tasted like ash on my tongue, bitter and unspeakable.

How could I tell them the truth? How could I let them know that my brother, the man who everyone else seemed to see as perfect, had become the source of my nightmares?

That he'd been acting in ways that hinted at... No. I needed to stop having such ridiculous thoughts. Kester was my brother. My brother. He couldn't possibly harbor those kinds of feelings for me.

But I wouldn't blame myself for thinking it. Not when he grabbed me the way he did, touched me, stared at me-spoke to me-in ways that made my skin crawl and my mind spiral.

But maybe that's just how Kester was. Intense. Controlling. Overwhelming.

"You've drifted off again," Jake said softly, breaking through my haze and pulling my attention back to him.

"Why did you accept the internship at my brother's company?" I asked, going straight to the point.

I hadn't had the opportunity to ask him yet. I needed answers.

"Mine..." Jake leaned forward, reaching for my hand, but I pulled back quickly, fear thrumming through my veins. What if Kester saw us? What if someone told him?

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Chapter 13

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let me go, and no other companies were

even tell me?" My anger bubbled

supposed to tell you when I can't even get you on the phone?" he fired back. "We

wasn't wrong, but that didn't stop the sting. "We spoke the day before

the first time we'd spoken in two weeks, and we couldn't even finish the

just try to yell at me? I was about to reply to him in the same measure, but before I could, Claire chimed

do anything you want. Just talk to him for me. Please?" She clasped her hands together in an exaggerated plea, setting her face in a playful frown, which

and you know it. You're setting yourself up for heartbreak." I reminded her. She was going into something that would hurt her in the

with a dreamy smile. "Once I get my chance, he'll see reason. He'll realize I'm the obvious choice over June." She gestured to herself

douchebag?" Jake

her eyes

wonder what they could do to a woman when he's alone with her, in the right setting..." She giggled, oblivious to the heat that rushed to my face at

grabbed my neck more times than the breaths I've taken just

with a wicked grin, the

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"He is my brother! You shouldn't be saying such things

sorry!" she said, laughing as if the entire thing was a joke. "But if you don't

probably work better for you

***

be a long day, and I hated

when Saturdays no longer felt like a breath of fresh air. Saturdays used to be my favorite day of the week-the day for movies,

to see Jake when I was still at the pack house, and we'd spend time together. That's how we

house while his usual, controlling self has refused to let me

This wasn't the plan.

me out of the safe, silent bubble of my room. I had promised myself I wouldn't let him see me, wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he hurt me. But starvation had a way

to stay alive to make

the kitchen, trying to fix something quick to eat. I would have

crawled out from wherever

No chance for him to catch me alone in the kitchen, no opportunity for him to slink

even realized it, it was done. Quicker than I

pour myself a glass of water, the hair on the back of my

in my hand hovering above the counter. Slowly, as if drawn by some

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