Chapter 7
979 Words
Alex
I'm still fuming at lunch after that blow-up with my father. Then the teacher decided we all had to stay in for break—apparently because we were “late.” Seriously, what the actual f**k?
She gave us detention on top of that, which meant I couldn’t meet up with Vivian like I promised. I just hope she doesn’t run into those jerks again—and if she does, I hope to hell she uses what I taught her. She needs to stop being an easy target.
No one talks much at lunch, except Vivian. She always asks too many damn questions.
“What’s with your face?”
> “Nothing.”
> “Doesn’t look like nothing.”
> “I said it’s nothing!” I snap, sharper than I meant to.
She flinches and goes quiet. Good. At least she stops talking. We eat in silence, then step out for a quick smoke before the bell. I hate that I’m not in any classes with her this afternoon—I can’t keep the wolves off her back if I’m not there. No one defends her like I do.
After school, I’m still boiling. Two useless lessons with teachers who hate me for no damn reason. They’ve had it in for me since the start of the year.
> “Are you less angry now?” Vivian asks softly when we get home.
Her voice sets me off again. Why does she always go quiet like a kicked dog when I’m upset? She’s supposed to be tougher than that by now.
> “Do I look less angry to you?!” I bark.
She recoils. It pisses me off more—she should be like us by now. She should be unshakable.
> “I guess not... Do you want to talk about what’s wrong?”
> “It’s none of your f*****g business, Vivian.”
> “Well, f**k you! I was trying to help!” she yells and storms off.
> “Well don’t!” I shout back.
My fist crashes into the wall. Another hole. Another docked allowance. Brilliant.
My brothers don’t even flinch. They’re used to this s**t. They know how school makes it worse. They know Vivian’s too easy to push around. That’s what gets me—she still won’t fight back.
---
Vivian
I slam the door and try to catch my breath. I wish I had my own room, somewhere I could actually calm down—but I don’t. I’m stuck here, in this shitty borrowed space, until my real one’s fixed. I lie on the bed, chest rising and falling as I fight back the sting in my eyes.
Eventually, I drift off.
The door creaks open. My eyes shoot open, heart racing.
> “Come on, sweetheart,” Fred’s voice is soft. “Time to wake up and get dinner started before Alex finds another excuse to come down on you.”
I blink at him. He’s smiling.
> “Uniform too, don’t forget,” he adds before walking out.
I groan. That ridiculous uniform. That humiliating, skin-tight joke I’m forced to wear.
I get dressed and head to the kitchen. Cook for the almighty Alessandro brothers. What a f*****g joke.
Dinner’s served. Alex slaps my ass and pulls me onto his lap.
> “Sit.”
I do it. No point making this worse.
> “Feed me,” he says with a grin like a spoiled prince.
I feed him in silence, stomach turning. He grabs my head suddenly.
> “Clean me with your tongue.”
What?
> “Do it. Or there will be consequences,” he hisses.
I do it. Because I’ve learned what happens if I don’t. He grabs my hair, yanks my head down, shoves his tongue in my mouth. I taste blood when he pulls away.
> “That’s punishment. Next time, worse. Understand?”
> “Yes...sir.”
> “Good. Now get pudding.”
---
After dinner, I clean up. My hands are shaking, but I keep my face blank. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
Out on the terrace, I look for a way out. There isn’t one. Guards everywhere. What kind of family needs this much protection?
A shadow moves beside me.
> “Here,” Fred says, handing me a plate. “I saved it before he trashed everything.”
> “I’m not hungry.”
> “Please, Vivian. Just eat.”
I take it. He sits next to me, warm and calm. Different from his brothers.
> “I’m sorry we dragged you into this.”
> “You didn’t drag me. I agreed.”
I lean on his shoulder. For the first time in days, I don’t feel totally alone.
---
Alex
I watch from the hallway as Fred gets close to her. She actually leans on him. Laughs with him. Pathetic.
She doesn’t see it—but I do. He’s playing her.
Later, when she finally comes in...
> “You and Fred seem cozy.”
> “Jesus, Alex—you scared me. I thought you were asleep.”
> “Clearly not. So? You think he’s innocent?”
> “He just brought me dinner. We talked.”
> “Talked. Right. He’s not interested in talking. He wants in your pants.”
> “That’s ridiculous.”
I step forward. We’re nose to nose. I grab her throat.
> “You saying I don’t know my own brother?”
> “No. Just saying… I’m not interested.”
> “Good. Because you’re mine. If he lays a hand on you, I’ll cut it off.”
Then I kiss her—hard. She gasps for air when I finally let go.
“You belong to me. Understand?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. Now get out.”
- Writer
