Brookedaviの小説

“Yes, Elena. I can’t believe it.” I let it all go, the shock, the ache, the confusion, and just feel. The joy of holding my sister again. The sound of her laugh, light and real in my ear.I am happy. God, I am. A weight lifts off my shoulders as I squeeze her tighter. Whatever I think of what Mom did, the truth is simple: My sister is alive.We pull apart, and Elena immediately tugs me onto the couch, scooting close, just like she used to when she had gossip to share.“So, tell me everything. Mom told me you’ve been living with Noah and William.”My heart jerks. My throat goes tight.Guilt slides down my spine like ice. “It’s true,” I say stiffly. “I’m living with them.”“Come on,” she laughs, shaking my arm. “Tell me what’s been happening. I’ve been trapped in this house for almost three months. Mom doesn’t want the neighbors to see me. I’m going insane, Ray. I need details.”Details.Noah kissing me in the hallway. Noah holding me in the kitchen, whispering against my neck. Noah car

It’s like staring into a mirror. If she hadn’t moved, if that wide smile didn’t stretch across her face, if she hadn’t rushed forward and thrown her arms around me, I would’ve thought I was hallucinating. Just a trick of light and memory.“Ray!” she cries, wrapping me in a tight, familiar hold. That warmth. That voice. That grip, like she never left. It shakes me to my core. I shove her out of my arms, out of reach.“Elena?” I whisper, my voice trembling, fragile. Just in case I’m wrong. Just in case this is some illusion made of fear and longing.“Yes, it’s me,” she says, nodding with a soft, trembly smile. Her eyes shimmer, the first sign of tears blooming there.“No,” I say, stepping back. “You died. You’re dead. How are you, ” My chest rises, a gasp chokes out. “Did I... die? Did I get into an accident and die so fast I didn’t even know?”She laughs. Light and ringing, like bells in a church. That’s her laugh. That’s my sister’s laugh.“No, silly,” she says, brushing a hand throug

It’s not me. It’s Elena. The woman in the photo, her smile’s too wide, too open. Her body too loose, too at ease. Her hair whips in the wind, longer than it should be.But I cut my hair. I cut it short. So when did it grow out? Why does she look so much like Elena? Why don’t I recognize my own face?My chest tightens. My breathing turns shallow. My vision tunnels. Am I… Ray?Or have I slipped so far into Elena’s life that I can’t tell the difference anymore?I’m sleeping with her husband. I’m cooking in her kitchen. Cleaning her floors. Her son called me Mommy last night without thinking.What if Noah knows, and he’s just going along with it? What if he’s pretending I’m Ray, just to avoid breaking the illusion?Maybe I’m not Ray at all. Maybe I’ve become her.“Breathe, Ray.”I’m bent over, hands on my knees, gasping. Noah’s hand rubs slow circles on my back, grounding me.“What did you just call me?” I lift my head, squinting up at him. The sun blinds me, and it casts his face into sh

I feel so happy. I don't want to admit it, but maybe I’ve become a slut for Noah. I never meant to lose my mind like that, but last night? I completely gave in. Gave up every ounce of sense I had. And now, I feel amazing. He didn’t use protection, but thank God I’m already on the pill.Oh my God, I can’t stop smiling.“You’re in a good mood,” Milly says, eyeing me as she pours herself a cup of coffee. The scent of roasted beans wafts through the teachers’ lounge. It’s warm, quiet, the buzz of the vending machine humming in the background.She’s my best friend from high school, well, used to be. We reconnected when I applied for a job here. She already worked at the school. We’re not as close as we were before I left for New Orleans five years ago, but we’re… good. Familiar.“You’re glowing,” she says, joining me at the small round table where I’m eating lunch.“It’s nothing,” I say, grinning into my sandwich.“Peter must be treating you right.”My smile fades. I duck my head, suddenly

She nods. I rise, grab her hand, and together we head up the stairs. We stop in front of William’s door. As I pull out the key, she stares at me, frowning. “You weren’t kidding.”“I kid about a lot of things,” I whisper, sliding the key into the lock. “But not about this. Also, his lamp? Works just fine. That kid lied last night just to come ruin our moment.”She snorts, trying not to laugh. “Stop it, Noah. You can’t get territorial with a child.”“Who says?” I open the door slowly. William’s curled in bed, completely fine. Lights on. Breathing steady.I quietly close the door and twist the key again.“Don’t lock it,” she scolds, swatting my hand.I grab her by the waist. “All clear,” I whisper, pulling her close. “Now, where were we?”She lets out a laugh, but I cut it off with a searing kiss.Her arms wrap around my shoulders, fingers slipping into my hair. I groan into her mouth, losing control fast. The kiss

She’s staring at me. “Noah…” she shifts her weight on the couch, eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”I want to say yes, right away, no hesitation. But I know Ray. She doesn’t want some offhand reply. This isn’t just about telling our parents we’re together. It’s about everything that could come after, rejection, judgment, maybe even hate. I don’t think my parents would turn on me for this, but they might not look kindly on Ray. And that matters to me.I reach for her hand and squeeze it gently.“Yes, Ray. I’m serious. We’re not doing anything wrong, nothing that needs to be hidden. We love each other. This isn’t impulsive. It’s real. It’s the truth. So why not let them know? I hate the way I have to hold myself back around my parents when you’re near.” I shift forward and hold her gaze with every sense of sincerity.“ I don’t want to keep us a secret. I want everyone to know.”She doesn’t smile. Her gaze doesn’t even settle on me. Her eyes are f

Of course that is what she says because I won’t give her what she really wants. And letting her go isn’t an option. I don’t wait for her to be okay. I stride out, gesturing to two guards outside the door. “Make sure she stays in there.”“Yes, Zver,” they chorus. I don’t doubt them for a second. I expect compliance without question That’s the kind of brotherhood we built. So in what world did Niko think taking Claire away was okay?I head to Niko’s designated room. The doctor is just finishing with him, stitching and wrapping bruises that blooms across his face and torso. His small head lowers as I enter, then he slips past me without a word. My focus is fixed entirely on Niko.“My apologies, Zver,” Niko starts the moment the door closes. “I was wrong to take her out of the house.”“Yeah, that was some shit move. Especially for you.” I move to the window, watching him button a crisp white shirt over the purple bruises across his stomach. “We’re alm

She sits on the bed still crying, for fucking Niko. I pace the room, restless, wanting to comfort her but she already slapped me once. It didn’t sting the way she wanted, so she tried again, and I had to shove her down onto the mattress. Now she’s there, face buried in her hands, refusing to acknowledge my presence.“Why didn’t you wait for me?” I snap, though what I really want is to speak softly. I am too riled up, fueled by the image of Niko’s audacity, dragging Claire away like that. Insubordination like his usually ends with a bullet between the brows, but I didn’t pull a gun because it’s Niko. I can’t believe he did this.Niko and I have known each other since high school. He was vice commander of our gang, just as he is now my chief of security. I’ve done everything with him, raised this empire, fought battles, buried enemies. He’s my right hand, my left leg, and there isn’t anything I would deny him. Hell, I think of him as my brother.I knew he wa

Niko presses harder on the gas, then slams the brakes. My body snaps forward, but his arm shoots out, holding me firmly against the seat.“What happened?”my heart jolts with sudden fright.His smile twists, sardonic and almost proud. “I forgot how far ahead Zver thinks,” he says, eyes still looking ahead.“What are you talking about?” “Claire, we won’t be leaving today.”My frown deepens as I watch his face. “And why not?”“Look.” He jerks his chin at the road ahead.At first, I see nothing but streams of headlights. Then my stomach knots. Cars parked along the roadside, shadows of men inside, others pacing outside with deliberate demeanor that screamed armed men.”Zver already has his men stationed here to stop you from leaving," Niko explains calmly, not entirely bothered and even a little impressed. Which honestly doesn't do well for my nerves.My heart sticks to my throat, my fingers clenched on my

Niko doesn’t let me take anything from the room, he just drags me forward by the hand until we’re back at the car. He ignores Xavier calling after us, strides with grim determination to the passenger side, yanks the door open, and ushers me inside.“Niko, what are you doing?” I ask, apprehension making my stomach turn.No answer. He shuts the door with a hard snap and circles to the driver’s side. The engine growls to life, and we roll out of the Dragnov estate without anyone stopping us. Streetlights flicker awake one by one, and with each glow my anxiety swells. All I see of him is his side profile, sharp jaw, rigid mouth, eyes fixed straight ahead.“Where are we going?” I press when I can’t take the pressure building in my chest. “Niko.” Louder this time. His silence gnaws at me, discomfort making me shift.“I thought you wanted to leave Russia. Why are you asking me that?” He finally answers, too calm, like everything else he’s done tonight.

“And?” I demand when the silence stretches too long. He doesn’t even look at me, just stares out the front window as the car speeds toward Drognov estate.“That was smart,” he finally says, and I blink at him. A smirk curls at his lips. “Giving Niko the slip like that. No one’s ever done that before. Niko must be getting sloppy.” Now he’s grinning like this is a game.“This isn’t funny. I want a divorce, Aleksei.” I snap, no trace of humor in my face.He exhales, pulls out his phone, and starts typing. “I know what you want, little bunny. But that was reckless, running to the cops. Do you even realize how dangerous that was? I own most of the police here, but not all. You could’ve ended up in an entirely different vehicle right now.”I jut my chin out and glare at the blur of the city through the tinted windows. “If I go to New York, I’ll be safe. None of these people are after me, they’re after you.”Aleksei slams his phone onto the seat, the sound jolting me. His jaw tightens, eyes

My stomach drops at those words. “I’m sorry, what?” I rise slowly to my feet, eyes locked on his face.The man gives me a creepy smile before stepping aside. I watch as Aleksei enters the room, his presence filling every inch of space. My shoulders tense. I move backward, eyes fixed on him like he might spring forward and snatch me.“How–how are you here?” I stammer out despite trying hard not to show how rattled I am. How did he find me this fast? I haven’t even been gone for thirty minutes.“You don’t get to ask questions.” He says so calmly it seals my lips shut. “Let’s go.” He tilts his head as he slides away from the door.I’m still reeling, but I refuse to let him order me around. Clenching my fists at my sides, I press my lips together, lift my chin, and say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”“Don’t test me, Zayka.” His tone doesn’t rise; it doesn’t need to. “I have other things I’d rather be doing than dealing with your drama. Don’t make me repeat myself. Let’s go.”I glance