My stepsister

Episode1

Angel tello ; 30 - terry roman 26

“ mark my words

"Mark my words," Angel says. "By the end of the year, l'll be one of the bosses."

almost let out a snort. Listening to my step sister go on and on about how important she is in the alphas is ridiculous.

SHe wishes.

Angel is…..well, she's a narcissistic asshole.

There's no other way to put it. Everyone knows there are only five bosses in the alphas The five families run United Kingdom , and no one dares go against them.

Angel is all talk, and one day, it will get her killed.

A girl can hope.

Instantly, l'm hit with a wave of guilt for wishing my stepsister dead.

Forgive me, Father.

Since my father and stepmother died in a car accident seven years ago, angeltook over Papa's place in the alphas . It went straight to angels head, and he's become downright unbearable to live with.

My aunt on Mamma's side of the family asked angel to let me live with them, but he wouldn't hear of it. Sadly, my mamma died of pneumonia when I was three years old, and my aunt, uncle, and cousin are the only family I have left.

I was only fifteen , but angels word was law in our family, so no one dared go against her. Now I'm twenty-six and still stuck with the bastard.

I suspect she's only holding onto me to get her share of the inheritance that will pay out when I turn thirty

SHe's already blown through more than half of her share, wasting it on gambling, alcohol, and women.

Angel was the perfect stepdaughter to my father. Papà even adopted Angel as his own, so I can't blame Papà for leaving him in charge of our

finances. Even I was shocked when I learned what a vile person angel really is.

Bettina, angels mother, and Papà got married two years after Mamma died. I was five, and angel was thirteen, so we grew up as brother and sister.

But overnight, she changed into a different person. One that's violent, selfish, and greedy.

I don't know what l'll do when I turn thirty years , but Angel won't get a dime from me. I'm hoping I can cash in my inheritance and run to somewhere she won't be able to find me.

Clearing my throat, I murmur, "Excuse me.

I'm going to the restroom."

Angels eyes are on a cute man who just came in, and she doesn't pay me any attention as get up from my chair.

Walking to the back of the restaurant, I glance around the establishment. The place is packed, and even though I've grown up around these people, they all feel like strangers.

Every Friday we have lunch at Dominion pizza The restaurant belongs to Angel tello , and l've only seen her a few times.

It's never long enough to get a good look at him.

Not that I want to. The five heads of the alphas terrify the living crap out of me. They're known for being brutal when it comes to business.

Growing up in the alphas , l've learned to fear the five families like the rest of the civilians who call uk their home.

Even angel is s**t scared of them. SHe talks big in front of me, but when he has to speak to one of Angel tello men, she's pathetically humble.

Whenever she's forced to eat a slice of humble pie, I'm the one who suffers. The last time mart scolded Angel for being late for work, angel broke two of my ribs.

SHe seldom leaves marks on my face because she loves to parade me in front of the single women in the alphas . I know she plans to marry me off to one of them, but she's holding out for my inheritance.

The only solace I can find in the crappy situation is that Angel can't force me to marry her . We live in a tight-knit civilian community who would disapprove if she tried to marry me. After all, we were raised as brother and sister. It's my only saving grace and also the reason she hasn't

looked at me in a s****l way. To Angel , the only thing that matters is getting her grubby hands on my inheritance.

I slip into the restroom, and after relieving myself, I wash my hands and touch up, My eyes flit over the light peach summer dress l'm wearing, making sure the fabric isn't stuck in my underwear. It happened to Angel when we were fourteen, and I almost died of second-hand embarrassment for my cousin. Since then, I always check my clothes to ensure nothing is out of place.

My gaze locks on my reflection in the mirror, and I lift my chin.

Just two more years of this hell, then you can run away and create a new life for yourself.

As I step out of the restroom to return to the table, an office door opens to my right.

Not thinking, I glance in the direction of the sound, and instantly, l'm doused in ice.

I have a clear view of Angel tello , who's gripping a man by his neck. I can't hear what's being said, but as Big mart comes out of the office, I see Angel slam a knife into the man's throat.

Mother of God.

The squeak escaping me has Big mart eyes snapping in my direction.

Crap!

My heart instantly hammers against my ribs, and I quickly dart to the left. I know it's stupid of me to run, but my flight or fight instinct kicks in, and flight always wins.

I don't even reach the end of the hallway before being grabbed by the arm and hauled back to the office.

NoNONONoNO!

"| didn't see anything," | plead. Big mart ignores me, which has me begging, "I won't tell anyone. Please."

I'm shoved into the office and stumble forward. My eyes lock on Mrs tello , who's wiping the blood from the knife, and the sight brings me to a dead stop.

Her head is lowered, and focused on cleaning every crimson drop from the blade, she orders with a low and threatening tone,

"Remove the body."

With wide eyes, I watch as the man's body is dragged out of a side door by Tiny, who doesn't even break a sweat. Then again, she's a mountain of a man. The trail of blood smeared on the tiled floor almost makes me gag .

Father, I've been a good boy I've never dated and kept myself pure for marriage. I attend church every Sunday. Please get me out of this mess. You owe me.

Slowly, Mrs tello lifts her head, and when her hazel eyes lock on me, shivers of fear rush through my body.

Crap.

Just one look from Angel tello and my mouth goes bone dry. swallow hard on the lump of panic in my throat.

His eyes crawl from my head to the sandals on my feet before they flick to Big Ricky.

"

She saw what happened," Big mart explains.

I quickly shake my head, and my voice quivers as I plead, "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

Mr. Tello lifts his hand, and while her thumb scratches her bottom lip, her eyes lock on me once more.

The brutality in his gaze delivers a punch to my stomach.

Mother , I don't want to die. Get me out of this mess, and l'll do anything you want.

Tiny comes back into the office, and without taking his eyes off me, Mr.

Tello hands the murder weapon to him.

"She's Roman sister," Big mart informs his boss.

If my heart beats any faster, I'm going to pass out.

Mrs tello lifts an eyebrow. "Vikky"

SHe knows my Of course, he does. I'm pretty sure nothing happens in his territory without him knowing.

Mrs Tello takes a deep breath while slowly stalking closer to me. "| haven't seen you since your father's funeral."

The urge to back away overwhelms me, but by the grace of God, I manage to stand still.

When she stops mere inches from me, I have to tilt my head back to look up at her .

If weren't so freaking terrified, I'd take the time to admire the woman's attractiveness. Her black hair is in stark contrast with her hazel eyes. There are tiny golden flecks that make it look like flames are burning in her

brown-green irises. I know she's in her early thirties and still unmarried because she's too busy ruling over hire territory with an iron

fist.

When Tiny stands close behind Mrs tello, I realize they're the same height. Easily two and a half heads taller than me.

Where Tiny is all bulging muscles and brute strength, Mrs. Tello body is firmer, giving me the impression of stealth and death cloaked in an expensive suit.

Tiny has a round face, whereas Mrs.tello has a sharp jaw.

My eyes keep flitting between the two women while l'm overly conscious of Big mart behind me.

Mrs. Tello eyes remain locked on my face, and when I can't stand the pressure anymore, I whimper, " won't tell anyone what I saw."

A frown line appears between her eyebrows, and his words are soft and dangerous as she murmurs, "I know."

What does that mean? Am I free to go, or is she going to kill me? GOD!

When Mrs. Tello suddenly lifts herhand to my face, I cringe back and let out a frightened sound. I pinch my eyes shut, and fisting my hands at my sides, I try to brace for the punch.

My skin stretches tightly over my cheekbones and jaw, and I clench my teeth.

Seconds pass, and when I feel something tug at my hair, my eyes fly open.

Mrs. Tello gaze watches me closely while she wraps a curl of my hair around her forefingers.

Confused by what she's doing, I startle again when Angel voice booms outside the office. "For f**k sake. Tello, get your ass out of the restroom!"

1 hear Big mart move, then the hinges of the office door squeak, and she says, "Yours sister is with mrs tello

“ what?” Angel gasps

I hear more movement behind me, but my eyes remain on the biggest threat in the office. Angel telling .

"What did you do?" Angel hisses at me.

A frown forms on Mrs tello forehead, and as she lets go of the curl, I nervously brush my hand over my hair while quickly taking a step away

from the terrifying woman.

Needing to explain myself, I ramble, "As I came out of the restroom, the office door opened. It drew my attention, and I accidentally saw Mrs. Tello o...ah...do something. I didn't mean to look. It just happened." My hand flies to my chest, and covering my racing heart, I swear, "I won't tell anyone."

Mrs. Tello eyes flick to Big mart . "Escort Miss Roman to a table and get her a cup of coffee while I speak with her brother."

Huh?

Not sure I heard right, I ask, " get to leave?"

Mrs. Tello's penetrating gaze returns to me.

"For now."

Intense relief washes through me as I quickly exit the office with Big mart .

I cautiously glance at Big mart , who's not much taller than me. "I'm really sorry."

With the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, he nods. "It's okay,bellies ." He leads me to a table and nods at the chair. "You can wait here while Mrs. Tello talks to your sister ."

"Stepsister ," | correct him. Big-mart looks the least threatening of the bunch, which gives me the courage to ask, "How much trouble am I in?"

He shakes his head. "As long as you keep quiet, you'll be fine."

More relief floods me, and with hope filling my heart, I ask, "Really?"

He nods again before gesturing for a server to come closer. "Bring a cup of coffee for Miss. Roman.

When the server leaves, Big mart looks at me again. "Stay right here."

I nod and watch as he walks toward a table where three men are enjoying lunch.

Letting out a breath, I slump in the chair while wiping my palm over my forehead.

Dear God. That was intense.

I stare at the table as the terrifying past few minutes replay in my mind.

Crap, I'm going to be in so much trouble with Angel .

A heavy feeling settles over my shoulders, and I glance at the hallway again.

I can't believe I just came face-to-face with Angel tello .

God, the woman is intense.

And beautiful . And freaking scary.

Now that I'm no longer in the direct line of fire, I realize just how attractive Angel-tello is. understand why Ada , my cousin, was so infatuated with the woman when I saw

her a couple of months ago at a family gathering.

SHe might be one of the most attractive women

I've ever seen, but it doesn't take away from how terrifying some he is. If anything, it adds to it.

Father, it's me again. Thanks for saving my ass.

My thoughts turn to the murder I witnessed, and it brings all the fear back.

Growing up in the Alphas , you'd think I'd be used to crime and corruption, but that's not the case for me. I don't think l'll ever get used to seeing someone die.

Just two more years, then you can make a clean break from angel and this world.