Hidden Blade

Chapter 20: No Escape

At the hotel entrance, Rex dragged the suitcase behind him like it weighed a ton. His breath came in short, frustrated gasps as sweat dripped from his brow. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and muttered under his breath,

“What’s in here, Catherine? Gold bricks? An actual anvil?”

Catherine leaned casually against the doorframe, her posture exuding effortless elegance. A sly smile tugged at her lips as she watched him struggle.

“Just a few files and a spare pair of shoes,” she replied smoothly. “What happened to ‘Mr. Strongman’? Feeling your age, little brother?”

Rex swallowed the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he plastered on a grin and mustered the last shred of his patience. With a final grunt, he hauled the suitcase to her door, dropping it with an exaggerated thud.

“There you go, sis. Safe and sound,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got, uh… some pressing matters to attend to.”

Before he could take a step, Catherine’s hand darted out like a steel trap, her grip on his wrist firm and unyielding. Rex froze mid-turn, a chill running down his spine.

“Come inside,” she commanded, her voice calm but carrying the unmistakable authority of someone used to being obeyed.

Rex blinked.

“Uh… Sis, I’m not sure, that’s really necessary. You know, boundaries and all—”

“Boundaries?” Catherine raised an elegant eyebrow, her gaze slicing through him like a blade.

“Since when do you get to talk about boundaries?”

Rex had no choice but to follow her into the room, feeling like a lamb being led into a lion’s den.

Catherine walked ahead with flawless elegance, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished floor, like the beat of a countdown clock. Her tall, slender figure stretched gracefully under the dim hotel lights, each step more commanding than the last. It wasn’t just walking—it was a statement, more poised than any runway model and far more intimidating.

She stopped in the center of the room, slipped off her coat in a fluid motion, and draped it casually over a chair. Underneath, she wore a fitted black silk camisole that perfectly highlighted her sculpted figure. Her collarbones looked as if they were carved by a master artist, and her flawless skin shimmered faintly under the warm light. The delicate straps of her camisole framed her neck, accentuating its slender elegance, while the curve of her waist and the length of her legs spoke of perfection that seemed almost unreal.

Every move Catherine made was effortless, as though she controlled the rhythm of the world around her. Her beauty was an untouchable force, cold yet magnetic, like a flame burning beneath ice.

Rex stood awkwardly near the door, gripping the handle as if it were a lifeline. He averted his eyes, only for them to be drawn back to her like moths to a flame.

“Uh, do you need anything else? If not, I’ll just—”

“Stay,” Catherine said simply, her tone brooking no argument. She turned to face him, her sharp eyes locking onto his like a hawk zeroing in on prey. Each step she took toward him was deliberate, radiating power.

Rex instinctively stepped back, only to feel the cold wall against his back. He realized, with a sinking feeling, that he had nowhere to go.

“What’s got you so nervous?” Catherine asked softly, her voice carrying a trace of teasing amusement. Her cool fingers landed gently on his shoulder, firm but not oppressive. Yet the weight of her presence made his breath hitch.

“I’m not nervous!” Rex blurted, though his burning cheeks betrayed him. “It’s just… you’re intense!”

Catherine chuckled—a sound laced with both mockery and affection. She reached out, her fingers grazing his chest, lingering as if she were appraising his strength. Her touch was light but deliberate, and then she gave a gentle squeeze.

“Hmm. Looks like you’ve been working out.” Her voice carried a playful edge, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “I like it. Strong suits you.”

Before Rex could protest, Catherine leaned in, her perfume enveloping him in a dizzying cloud of sophistication and warmth. She pressed her lips against his cheek in a soft, deliberate kiss. Her lips lingered a moment longer than necessary, warm and featherlight against his skin.

“Sis!” Rex’s voice cracked, his entire body stiffening as though he’d been struck by lightning.

Catherine drew back slightly, her face only inches from his, her gaze unwavering.

“Relax, Rex,” she said, her tone light but carrying an unmistakable undertone of authority. Her hand trailed from his chest to his jaw, tipping his chin upward slightly as she continued, “It’s been years, and I’m just appreciating how much you’ve grown. A little affection won’t kill you.”

Rex’s face turned crimson, his words caught in his throat. He stammered, “I—uh—this is—what are you—”

“Still so easy to fluster,” Catherine teased, a smirk curling her lips. She stepped back gracefully, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re adorable when you’re like this. Just don’t let anyone else see that side of you. Remember what I said—don’t show your weaknesses.”

Rex exhaled sharply, his pulse racing. “You have the worst way of teaching lessons, you know that?”

“Effective, though, isn’t it?” Catherine replied with a wink, walking over to the sofa with her signature elegance. As she sat down, crossing her legs effortlessly, she shot him a pointed look. “Now, go. You’re free to leave… for now.”

Rex didn’t need to be told twice. He fumbled with the door handle, stepping out quickly to escape her overwhelming presence, but his cheek still burned where she’d kissed him. As the door closed behind him, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Catherine tilted her head back and let out a soft, amused laugh, her expression one of pure, unfiltered mischief.

“Oh, Rex,” she murmured to herself, her smile deepening. “Still so adorably easy to mess with.”

An Unbreakable Bond

Catherine wasn’t just Rex’s sister—she was his protector, his critic, and his fiercest ally.

Though they weren’t related by blood, they might as well have been. She had been brought into the Carlson family from an orphanage when she was six, and from the moment she met three-year-old Rex, she’d taken it upon herself to look out for him.

Over the years, she had shielded him from bullies, covered for his mistakes, and pushed him to strive for more than mediocrity. But she had also scolded him, challenged him, and refused to let him settle for less than he was capable of.

Rex had always admired her—respected her even. But he’d also feared her, and moments like this reminded him exactly why.

“Why do you have to be so terrifying?” he muttered under his breath.

“Because it works,” Catherine said simply, as if the answer was obvious.

A Reluctant Farewell

When Rex finally left the hotel, he slumped into the driver’s seat of his car and let out a long, exaggerated sigh. For a moment, he sat there, staring at the dashboard in silence.

“She’s exhausting,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. “But she’s not wrong.”

As he started the engine, he glanced at the hotel in his rearview mirror.

The lights glowed warmly against the night sky, but Rex felt no comfort. No matter how overbearing Catherine could be, he knew her care for him ran deeper than anyone else ever could. She was his shield, his guide, and his harshest critic—all rolled into one.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he pulled away. “The queen strikes again,” he said softly. “Guess I better not screw up, or she’ll personally hunt me down.”