Claimed by My Stepdad and His Heir's

Episode.3

"Miss Cole is perfectly capable of taking her own notes." Victor's eyes flashed with something dark. "Keep your hands to yourself."

The class went dead silent. Ethan's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. The rest of the period was tense. I could feel both brothers on either side of me, could feel Victor's gaze burning into me every time I moved. When I shifted in my seat, Luca's hand brushed my thigh. When I reached for my water bottle, Ethan was already handing it to me. I was suffocating.

+++++++

Lunch was worse. I tried to sit with my friend Maya, but Luca appeared out of nowhere, sliding his tray down beside mine.

"Move along, Maya," he said with a charming smile that didn't match the warning in his eyes.

"Luca, what are you doing?" I hissed.

"Eating lunch with my stepsister. That's allowed, isn't it?"

Maya gathered her things and left, shooting me an apologetic look. Ethan joined us moments later, claiming the seat across from me. "How was your morning?"

"Fine until you two showed up."

"Ouch." Luca stole a french fry from my plate. "Is that any way to talk to your loving stepbrothers?"

"We're not.." I lowered my voice. "We're not family. Not really."

Something flickered in Ethan's eyes. "No. I guess we're not."

The way he said it made my stomach flip.

A guy from my English class approached, smiling nervously. "Hey, Ariana. I was wondering if you wanted to study together for.."

"She's busy," Luca cut in, his voice dropping to something cold.

"I didn't ask you."

Luca stood slowly, and despite being the same height, he somehow seemed to tower over the other boy. "I'm telling you. She's busy. Walk away."

"Luca," I started.

But the guy was already backing up, hands raised. "Sorry, man. Didn't know she was taken."

"I'm not taken!" I snapped, but he was gone.

I rounded on Luca. "What is wrong with you?"

"He was bothering you."

"He was being nice!"

"He wanted more than studying." Ethan's voice was matter of fact. "Trust me."

"I don't care what he wants. You don't get to decide who I talk to."

Luca leaned in close, his eyes intense. "Yeah, princess. We really do."

+++±+++

The rest of the day passed in a haze of confusion and frustration. Everywhere I turned, one of them was there. Watching. Waiting. Claiming space beside me like they had every right. By the time the final bell rang, I was desperate for space. I went to my locker, planning to grab my things and find somewhere, anywhere, to be alone. The door swung open.A folded piece of paper fell out, landing at my feet. My hands shook as I picked it up, unfolding it slowly.

The handwriting was elegant, controlled:

"Ariana... don't forget who you belong to."

The paper slipped from my fingers. I spun around, scanning the crowded hallway. Students rushed past, laughing and talking. Normal. Everything looked so normal.

But someone was watching me. I could feel it like a physical touch, crawling across my skin. Was it Ethan, standing by the water fountain with his phone out? Was it Luca, leaning against the lockers twenty feet away with that knowing smirk?

Or was it Victor, visible through the classroom window, his green eyes locked directly on mine? I didn't know. And that terrified me most of all..