My Step-brother, My Enemy

Chapter 2

Adrian sits across from me, watching my every move like a hawk assessing its prey. It’s unsettling.

I reach for a bottle of wine, but he reaches first to pour a glass for me, his fingertips gently brushing mine. It feels like static electricity and my heart races, but I say nothing and school my expression. I take the glass from his hand and pour my own wine to drink, and he still watches me with a suffocating intensity.

At the end of the dinner, we stand up and interact with one another and immediately, I sight Gabriel at the end of the room and go over to meet him and talk to him. He is the only one that seems normal in this chaotic family, and I actually enjoy talking with him.

As we talk, I notice mischief clearly shown in his brown eyes as his thumb brushes softly down my neck as I laugh at something he said. He gently holds my waist as he talks in his charming fashion. I can’t tell if he is into me, or if he is just a touchy person, but either way, I don’t actually care. I love the fact that he is daring to be so close to me even after Don’s announcement at dinner.

I tell him that I am going to the bathroom and he lets go of my waist with a smile. I smile back and leave the hall in search of a restroom.

I just wanted to contain myself, the environment had already begun to overwhelm me. I walk past Adrian and I see something dark flash through his silver-blue eyes.

He looks mad.

I shrug it off and look away as I walk through the dimly lit corridors of the estate, needing fresh air. I lean against the wall breathing softly as I enjoy my solidarity, just then, Adrian intercepts me as he emerges from the shadows.

“Jesus, what are you doing here?” I exclaim, glaring at him.

“I could ask you the same. What did you think you were doing in there, Sienna?” his voice is thick.

“Eating” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Eating?” he repeats “with Gabriel?” he adds.

“He is so much more fun than the rest of you” I say and I discover to my shock, that my voice has a slur.

He leans in closer, trapping me again like before “I can be fun” his voice is dark and immediately, my brain clears up as the air becomes thick with danger, and something else that I will not dare to name.

“Give me space, ace” I say as I try to pull away from my position, but I can’t leave.

“Don’t play games, Sienna” he says, his voice filled with so much authority, it physically moves me “you are in dangerous territory”

“You don’t control me” I say “No one does” I glare at him.

He leans even closer and I find myself holding my breath as he holds my chin softly, his jaw clenching “you have no idea what you’ve walked into, Sienna” he lets go of me and walks away, leaving me standing there, in shock.

The next day, we have visitors in the estate.

My step-father sent orders for me to be dressed and downstairs in the reception room before they arrive. After last night’s encounter with Adrian, I am in no mood to fight, I dress up as I am told and I head down to the reception room in readiness for the arrival of the visitors.

I am seated with my mother, Don Vincenzo and Adrian when the De Luca family arrive. As they settle down, I notice the unfriendly tension in the air but I keep quiet as helps bring food and we all eat and drink together.

The man that looks to be the head of their family takes a sip of his red wine and clears his throat “I am not here to beat around the bush or lose my tongue. I believe the small talk is done, so we can get down to business now.”

Vincenzo nods “Go on” he says, coldly.

“I know we have been rivals for the longest time and we always seek to show the other that we are more powerful, but I was thinking, and I realized that instead of fighting each other, we can join forces and work together. We can be allies”

Vincenzo lets out a white smile “I know this is not all you came to say De Luca, so get on with it”

The man looked at me “We want to marry your step-daughter into our family in the spirit of strengthening our alliance” he smiled.

I am immediately furious; the man didn’t even ask my opinion. They just want to sell me off for the greater good of their families.

Well, I am not a part of either family. Never was, never will be.

I thought I was upset, but beside his father, I see Adrian’s countenance. He looks even angrier than I am, his hands are balled into fists and his knuckles are almost completely white from the force of curling his fists. He looks like he is stopping himself from doing something.

What? I don’t know.

His face is unreadable though, his only tell is his tight jaw and if I did not have a clear view of his hands, I wouldn’t know what he’s thinking.

I am about to open my mouth to speak when the strangest thing happens. Adrian beats me to it.

“She is under my protection. No one touches her” his voice is like steel.

The room turns dead silent and tension-filled.

Then, I see the De Luca head smile broadly at Adrian and I, like he knew something we didn’t.

“Very well” he says and gets up “very well”