CLAIMED BY MY HYBRID STEP BROTHER

SIENNA’S POV Have you ever felt like your life was slipping out of your hands, and you couldn't control anything that happened to you? Hell, yeah! That's exactly what it felt like for me when my mother excitedly called me over the phone some weeks ago, saying the same thing I was so tired of hearing. "I met a new man today!" She had squealed. I rolled my eyes, "Mum, when will this ever end? Didn't you go on a date with a stranger from Tinder last week?" "Yeah, Sienna! That guy was a total asshole. He made me to pay for our dinner. Well, I met someone else the following day, and he looks like a keeper!" "A keeper?" I repeated with a voice that was laced with irritation. After her divorce with my father, she had gotten married to another man, and barely three months ago, her second marriage ended. "Yes, Baby! He's been talking about wanting to settle down, and—" "Mum, I can't believe you still fall for this same old tales that men tell! How could he possibly desire marriage so soon?" Sixteen. That's the number of men my mother had been on dates with within the last three months, and it annoyed the hell out of me because none of them ever kept her interest beyond a few days. At this point, I wondered if she enjoyed meeting new men for the purpose of trying out the latest exotic restaurants, or if it was more of a hobby for her, because she obviously wasn't in it for love. "Baby, I really can't wait to see how this turns out!" She had exclaimed on the phone before hanging up. Two days ago, she rang up my line again with an instruction that messed up my carefully planned life. "Relocate to Italy, my fiance wants us to live together as a family, with his children." This was new to me. It was even more surprising because none of the men my mother met ever made it past the first date stage to the point where they met me, her daughter. “Fiance?” “Yes. He proposed last night.” "Okay? Congratulations, Mum. But, I have a life here in Los Angeles!" I countered. "You're almost done with University. Your new step dad and I have decided that you will have to run your internship here in Italy." "But—" "No need to argue! You either pick between living with us here in Italy, or losing me. I can't let go of this stable relationship I have with Victor, just because of you." Well, that was it. That was how I found myself boarding a flight to Italy, with my favorite belongings cramped into two bags, as I forced myself to get rid of every memory I had of Los Angeles. My mother had already texted the address of her new home to me, saying that she was preparing my favorite meal as a welcome gift to Italy. The weather was cold, and I wrapped my muffler around my neck, grateful that I was smart enough to wear thick clothes before leaving home earlier. I was still at the hall at the airport when my phone notification beeped and with one glance at it, I saw that it was a text message from Diego, one of my childhood best friends who had moved to Italy a few years back. "Girl! Has your flight landed? I'll be celebrating my birthday party tonight at my place? I'd love you to come. It's been years!" Without thinking, I typed a response text, "f**k, yes! I'm at the airport now. Come and get me!" As I hit the send button, I realized that this was what I wanted. Perhaps, getting wasted at Diego's party tonight would lessen how hurt I was over my sudden relocation. I immediately texted my mother that I would be arriving home later at night as I had somewhere to catch up to. I chuckled as I thought of how alarmed my mother would be. This was my first time in Italy, and I barely knew my way around. Now, I was hinting that I had a more important place to be in. Within seconds, my phone started to blow up with calls from my mother. I refused to answer any of the calls, rather I shoved the phone into my pocket as I walked through the airport gates. I couldn't care less, because I had just tonight to actually live as though my life belonged to me before meeting my mother again, and having to follow her rules. I wanted to do just one thing at Diego's party, and it was drink until I was unable to recognize myself because I was too frustrated about having to always be the submissive little pet of my mother with no mind of my own. Soon, Diego called to inform me that he would be sending one of his friends over to the airport to pick me up for the party. It was late evening, and by the time my phone rang again, a strange number was calling. "What do you have on?" A deep, husky voice asked. A cold chill ran down my spine, "Hello? Who is this?" "Where the hell are you standing and what do you have on? Diego asked me to pick you up." His tone was sharper. "At the exit hall. I'm walking out now, and I have on a—" "Brown jacket and black pants? Are you the one with dark hair that's wrapped up in a bun?" I nodded, scanning the environment with my eyes. "Yes." "Stand right there. I've seen you. I'm coming over to get you." I became tensed as a knot formed at the pit of my stomach. From the sound of things, the man at the other end of the line was obviously not someone to be messed with. He had a certain air of arrogance to his words. I was still waiting when I felt a tap on my back. "Hey, Sienna?." When I swung around, I was looking into the face of a strikingly handsome man. My breath hitched as my eyes ran over his face. He had the typical bad boy appearance. With ruffled brown hair, and a pair of almond shaped eyes, I was so sure that God bragged after creating him. His blue eyes darkened as he took in my appearance, and soon, his lips curved into a grin, exposing a pair of dimples on both cheek. Holy-Molly! He was drop dead gorgeous! A flush crept up my face as I realized that he was now smiling at me, and warmth spread through me. I tore my eyes away from his face and looked down at his arms. He had bold, visible tattoos which ran down both arms, but they ended right at his wrist. I guess I must have been drooling at him because, he snapped his finger in my face, jerking me out of my thoughts. "Sienna?" He repeated. My name sounded so rich as it rolled off his lips. "Uh?" I replied with a hoarse voice. "Are you okay? You seemed zoned out for a moment." His smile slipped from his face, and his eyebrows arched into a frown. I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. It was hard for me to believe that the man before me was the same grumpy person who had called earlier. "I'm sorry. Don't mind me at all." I mumbled, shuffling my feet. "Welcome to Italy. The car is a distance away, so let's get going." He said before walking away abruptly without turning to make sure that I followed him. I was rooted to the spot as I wondered why he didn't even bother to help me out with any of my luggage. The handsome man didn't say any word to me again, until we arrived at Diego's party. ****************************** The crowd and the loud music were the first things I noticed when I stepped out of the car, right outside Diego's party. There were men and women, dancing wildly as they rocked themselves against each other. The stench of sweat and whiskey hung low in the air. I bumped into Diego inside the house, and allowed him to show me off, with pride, to anyone who cared to listen. Soon, I got bored and made my way to the counter in the corner of the room, where a bar had been set up. I took multiple shots of whiskey until I was starting to feel my blood curl. The music got louder, and more shots of whiskey burned down my throat It wasn’t long before I started to feel much lighter. It was though I was floating out of my body. It sent a giddy thrill through me. Each time I looked over my shoulder, I saw the handsome stranger from earlier, standing by the wall. He had his eyes on me, every single time, in a cold stare. Psycho! I hissed. Soon, the music died down, and everyone was asked to gather around to form a circle in the large room, leaving a wide space in the center. "Truth or dare!" Someone yelled from the crowd and a cheer erupted. Half an hour later, the whiskey was now taking over me, but I steadied myself and sat at the corner until I heard my name. "Truth or dare, Sienna!" Diego called out. There was a devilish grin smeared on his face as silence fell in the crowded room. I let out a sharp breath. "Dare." "I dare you to go up to any guy here, and show him what those sexy lips of yours can do." His words made me to break out into a nervous giggle. Everyone watched me silently as I pushed myself up from the couch, scanned the faces around me, until I settled on one person. The handsome, yet cocky, guy who had picked me up from the airport. Mr. Sour faced. Yeah, he always had a frown on his face, so the name fitted him perfectly. I flushed as I made eye contact with him. I gingerly approached him, paying no attention to the scowl he had on. When I drew closer, I leaned in for a kiss. "If you dare come any closer, I'll smash your face." He snarled in a low, deep voice.