FROZE

RACHEL

Tiara’s place has always been the perfect hiding spot for me… sometimes when things weren’t so good with mum, I always found my way here. For someone who basically lives in an empire—with a garage big enough to build an apartment—that was Tiara’s life.

Her parents are rarely home. Either her dad’s on a business trip, or her mum is off doing… who knows what. Probably partying somewhere with half-naked men.

The second I drove into her compound, I felt my body eased a little. Though my chest was still racing like crazy. Probably because I didn’t drop below 160 the entire drive.

My hands were still gripping the wheel when I turned to Thane.

“I…” I exhaled deeply and tried one more time. “I really don’t get what just happened back there.” I shook my head. “I need you to explain it to me because no matter how much I try to make sense of it—”

I didn't get to finish. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

Seriously? Wow. He didn't just ignore me?

I yanked my seatbelt off and rushed after him. “Thane!”

He didn’t stop.

I slammed the car door and hurried after him, grabbing his arm before he reached the entrance.

“I’m talking to you, Thane!”

He snatched his arm from my grip and spun around sharply. “What the fuck do you want from me, stepsis?” he barked.

I knew I should calm down, but this was driving me insane. Why can’t I break through to him? Why is he so damn impossible?

And the worst part? I still care.

“You really want to know what I want, right?” I shot back. “Fine. I want you to stop shutting me out and just tell me what the hell that was back there.”

Just then my phone rang. My eyes flicked to my pocket.

“Don’t walk away,” I muttered, before pulling my phone out.

It was Tiara.

Before I could answer, Thane had already started walking inside.

Of course. What did I expect? That he’d actually stay and listen?

I answered the call.

“Hey. What’s going on over there?”

Tiara’s voice came through the phone.

I stepped down onto the stairs and sat on the pavement, rubbing my forehead slowly.

“We just got here now,” I sighed.

“And Thane?”

I rubbed my head again. “I don’t know. He’s just… being Thane. I’m trying not to react to it. But T… I’m really scared.”

“Scared of Thane?” she asked softly.

I swallowed, feeling something bitter settle down in my throat.

“I don’t know. I wish you’d seen the look in his eyes. I swear, he wanted to kill him. I don’t know if he was being protective or if it was one of those episodes Mum talked about… but whatever it was, it was terrifying. I don’t think I can be alone with him here, T.”

She went quiet for a full second before speaking again.

“Listen, Rachel. Thane needs someone right now. And that someone is you. Yes, he crossed the line. I mean, he absolutely did. But… I know him. He’s a good guy.”

“So what am I supposed to do? He doesn’t even wanna look at me right now…”

The line suddenly went dead. I quickly pulled the phone from my ear and pressed the side button.

God. It's dead.

Just great.

I muttered under my breath and slowly stood up. Before turning the handle, I found myself saying a silent prayer.

My steps were quiet against the tiled floor, like I was afraid of being caught.

When I spotted Thane on the sofa—his head tilted back against the cushion, his bloody bruised hand resting on his forehead—my legs froze. And maybe my heart did too.

His perfectly styled curls were messed up now. His shirt was half unbuttoned, exposing the hard ab lines of his chest.

I bit my lip and walked toward him carefully.

“Thane?” I whispered.

He didn't respond. So, I moved around to face him. He was asleep.

His lips were slightly parted. His Adam's apple shifted faintly with each breath he took.

I couldn’t believe he’d actually fallen asleep after what just happened.

And the strangest part? He looked so peaceful when he slept.

I dropped my bag on the other sofa and sat beside him. My eyes lingered on his face for a second before tracing his features—thick brows, sharp nose, pointed chin. My eyes slowly lingered on his lips for another second too long. Those wide, peach-soft lips.

God. No.

You are not doing this, Rachel. One minute you were scared of him and now you’re… 

Oh my God. You’re impossible.

I shot to my feet and headed down the hall to grab the first aid kit from the store. When I returned, I set it on the table and sat beside him.

I dipped the cotton pad inside the spirit. The scent filled the air a little. That's the thing I always hated about it.

Thane stirred slightly in his sleep. I paused to check if he was awake, then gently took his arm.

That's when his eyes flew open.

I told myself I wouldn’t be scared of him anymore, so I avoided his gaze.

“I need to clean that,” I said softly, still not looking at him.

He didn’t respond. He just stood up and started to walk.

“You can’t go to the gala looking like you just walked out of a boxing ring,” I said, firmer now.

He stopped and turned to look at me.

“So stop being stubborn and let me fix that up.”

“What are you, a doctor?” he shot back. “Do you even know what you’re doing?”

I finally summoned the courage to look at him.

“Would you rather go to the hospital then?” I asked calmly but I wasn't a bit calm inside. “Let everyone know Thane Adams almost killed someone? I’m sure Simon would be so thrilled about that headline. You want that?”

He scoffed. “You’ve got some nerve.”

I didn’t answer. I just stormed towards him, grabbed his wrist and pulled him back down onto the sofa.

“I’ll do it myself,” he protested.

I ignored him. I pressed the soaked cotton against his wound.

“Fuck—Rachel!”

I glanced at him. “For someone who’s been acting like Bruce Lee all morning, you can’t handle a little sting?”

“Are you serious right now?” he snapped. “Are you doing that on purpose?”

“Just stay quiet, Thane, or I’ll aim for your mouth next. Got it?”

He went silent. Good. Because if he didn’t, I really wouldn’t hesitate to do that.

I blew air lightly over the wound as I cleaned it. This time he stayed still. By the time I finished, he pulled his hand away roughly and started taking off his shirt like nothing had happened.

Maybe I should’ve looked away. But I didn’t. I was too busy getting mad at him to even think about his chest.

“So…” I crossed my arms. “Are you going to explain what happened?”

“What?”

You’ve got to be kidding me. I let out a slow breath and met his eyes again.

“Is this your thing? You lose your shit and then act like it never happened? You almost killed someone, Thane. Can you at least admit that and take some damn responsibility?”

He smirked. “That’s why we’re going to see him now. That’s me taking responsibility.”

“Are you serious right now?”

He frowned like I was the unreasonable one.

“What else do you want, shorty? Don’t make me regret helping you out there.” He swallowed. “I’m surprised you’re even mad at me when you should be mad at him. He treated you like crap and…”

“Stop dodging the point, Thane!” I snapped. “You said he killed her. I want to know what that means. Who were you talking about? And what was that back there? That wasn’t normal. That’s what I’m damn worried about.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, shorty.”

“Really? You don’t?”

I don’t even know why I bother. He’s not going to admit anything. He’s not going to tell me a damn thing. This is a waste of my time.

I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door. He stepped in front of me before I got anywhere close.

“Move, Thane.”

“I’m not. Where the hell are you going?”

I glared at him. “None of your business. I don’t owe you an explanation.”

His jaw tightened. “Wait. Are you going back to him? Alone?”

“Why? Does that piss you off?” I shot back. “I’m not staying around someone who keeps shutting me out. So do whatever you want, stepbrother.”

I tried to walk past him. His arm wrapped around my waist before I could take another step, lifting me off the ground.

“Put me down, Thane!” I hit his back, but he didn’t budge.

The next second, I was dropped onto the sofa.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Stay right there.”

He stepped back just enough to block me from standing.

“Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?”

He scoffed. “I’m your brother.”

I let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. No. He did not just say that.

“Stepbrother,” I corrected sweetly.

His face went flat. “You move one more time and I’ll kiss you.”

Just like that, my entire body froze. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest, it filled my ears.