No One Gets To Hurt You.

(KAIRA'S POV)

The music was deafening now, vibrating through the ground beneath my feet. I could hear laughter, shouting, and the unmistakable sound of someone cannonballing into water.

I stopped walking.

Slade turned around, one eyebrow raised. "Problem?"

"No." I lied. "Just... taking in the scenery."

He followed my gaze to the pool house. It was massive—larger than my old apartment. Lights strung across the patio cast everything in a warm, golden glow. People were everywhere. Lounging on pool chairs. Floating in the water. Dancing near the speakers.

"You're nervous." He stated. Not a question.

"I'm not nervous." I crossed my arms. "I'm assessing."

"Assessing what?"

"Whether this was a mistake."

He let out a low chuckle. "Too late for that. You're already here."

I glared at him. "You're enjoying this."

"Immensely." He turned and started walking again. "Try to keep up."

I had no choice but to follow.

---

The moment we stepped through the gate, heads turned. Conversations paused. A few people whistled.

"Slade! Finally!" A guy with messy brown hair and a crooked grin jogged over. "We thought you'd bailed."

"Had a wedding to attend." Slade said flatly.

The guy's eyes landed on me. His grin widened. "And you brought a date."

"She's my stepsister." Slade's voice was cold. Final.

"Ah." The guy's grin didn't falter. "The famous Kaira. Erica told us about you."

I blinked. "She did?"

"She said you were gorgeous. She wasn't lying." He extended his hand. "Trent McGuire. Slade's best friend. The handsome one."

I shook his hand, fighting a smile. "Nice to meet you, Trent."

"Trent, stop harassing her." A girl appeared beside him, rolling her eyes. She had dark hair pulled into a high ponytail and a friendly smile. "I'm Jackie. Ignore him."

"I'm not harassing her. I'm welcoming her."

"You're drooling on her."

"I am not—"

Slade stepped between us, his hand on my lower back, guiding me forward. "We're going inside."

I let him lead me, grateful for the escape. But I couldn't help noticing how his hand lingered. Just slightly. Like he wasn't ready to let go.

“We were beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come bro.” Germaine welcomed us as we walked past the door: he had a crooked smile on his face when he saw me:

“Hello Kaira.” He greeted softly woth a dramatic bow as he held the door open. “You look pretty we always.”

“Thanks Germaine.” I blushed profusely as he let me in to the house.

“Hey Kaira!” Matthew greeted as he walked past holding a large bowl in his hand.

He took it to the dinner table and dropped it with a heavy sigh. Then looked up at me and was already a proud smile.

“This is a mixture for my dumplings. Do you want to join me ro make some?” He said, a grin stretching on his face.

“Oh I love dumplings!” I said giving my hands a clap.

Slade turned to me, with what looked like intrigue plastered all over his face.

“What?” I mouthed at him with a shrug. Then without waiting for his response, I turned back to Matthew who was still waiting for my reply.

“I would love to come and make dumplings with you.” I skidded to the table happy that I already had something to be doing.

“Okay so..”

The sound of loud knocks at the door made js all pause. Then the door opened and the one and only Shelly came walking in.

She was smiling but I wasn’t stupid enough to believe the smile she had on her face.

She looked like she was very angry and her attention was directed at me.