Chapter Three

My hands were legit shaking as I stared at the message again.

“Liam, what the actual fuck,” I hissed, shoving the phone into his chest. We were still in the home gym, the door locked, but it suddenly felt like the whole mansion had eyes. “This isn’t some random creep, they’ve actually been watching us.”

Liam scrolled through the message, his jaw locked so tight I thought it might crack. He looked like he was ready to throw hands with the entire city. He ran a tattooed hand through his hair, the muscles in his arm flexing. “Delete it and block the number. I’ll handle this.”

“Handle it how?” I snapped, voice cracking like the anxious teenager I apparently still was. “We can’t just ignore this. What if they send it to your dad? Or post it somewhere? My mom would lose her mind. ‘Oh honey, you’re screwing your stepbrother?’”

He pulled me into his chest, arms wrapping around me tight. I could smell his cologne mixed with sweat from the gym. It was stupid how safe he made me feel even when everything was falling apart. “Hey. Breathe, Alex. I’m not letting anyone ruin this. But going public right now? No. The merger meetings start next week. Dad’s investors are old money pricks. One scandal and the whole deal tanks.”

I pushed back enough to look at him. “So I’m just supposed to sit here like your dirty secret while some weirdo blackmails us? Nice, Liam. Real boyfriend material.”

His eyes flashed with a mix of guilt and frustration I was getting too used to. “You think I like this? Sneaking into your room every night like some fucking thief? I want you all the time. But telling everyone means blowing up my life before I can even figure shit out.”

Before I could argue more, he kissed me, hard and angry. The kind of kiss that said shut up and let me fix this. His tongue pushed into my mouth, hands gripping my waist like he was scared I’d disappear. I kissed him back just as rough, biting his lip until he groaned. My shorts were getting tight again. Traitor body.

We stumbled back against the weight bench. Liam’s hand slipped under my waistband, wrapping around me and stroking fast. “Quiet,” he whispered against my ear. “Can’t have you moaning my name loud enough for the staff again.”

I bucked into his fist, breath hitching. “Then stop teasing and make me come already.”

He dropped to his knees right there on the gym floor, yanking my shorts down. His mouth was on me in seconds. I threaded my fingers through his dark hair, trying not to cry out as he took me deep, throat working around me. The sight of my serious, bad-boy stepbrother on his knees for me was almost enough to finish me off.

“Fuck, Liam… I’m close…”

He pulled off with a wet pop, standing up and spinning me around again. “Not yet.” He pressed against my back, hard dick grinding against my ass through his pants. “Tonight at my room. After everyone’s asleep. We’ll figure out this blackmail shit after I fuck the stress out of you.”

I nodded, dazed. He jerked me off quick and dirty until I came all over the bench, biting my arm to stay quiet. He cleaned up fast, kissed my temple, and slipped out like nothing happened.

The rest of the day dragged and  dinner  was torture. William going on about the gala, Mom talking about redecorating, Liam acting all cool and distant across the table while his foot teased mine under it. I wanted to scream.

After everyone went to bed, I waited an hour before sneaking to Liam’s room. The second the door closed behind me, he had me pinned against it.

“Missed you,” he muttered, already pulling my shirt off. “Been hard since the gym.”

We didn’t even make it to the bed at first. Clothes came off in a rush. He lifted me up, my legs around his waist, and fucked me right against the wall in  deep, desperate thrusts that made the pictures rattle. I buried my face in his neck to muffle my moans.

“God, you feel so good,” he groaned. “So tight and perfect. You’re mine..”

After we both came, twice for me, because he was extra attentive tonight, we finally collapsed on his bed, tangled and sweaty. His arm was around me, thumb stroking my shoulder. For a moment it felt almost normal.

Then I ruined it. “We need to talk about the message. What if it’s one of the new staff? Or someone from your racing crew who saw us?”

Liam sighed, pulling me closer. “I’ll check the security logs tomorrow. Pay them off if I have to. But Alex… you can’t push the public thing right now. I love what we have. I just need time.”

“Love?” I whispered, heart doing stupid flips. He’d never said it before.

He froze for a second, then kissed my hair. “Yeah. Love. That’s why I’m protecting this.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But the blackmail text was still burning a hole in my deleted folder.

The next morning I woke up alone in my own bed,  Liam had carried me back at 4 a.m. like always. Breakfast was normal until William cleared his throat.

“Boys, one more thing about the gala. I’ve invited the Thompson family. Their daughter Sophia has been asking about you, Liam. She’s a smart girl. Good for the company image.”

Liam’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Dad, I’m not…”

“She’s very interested,” William continued, smiling like it was decided. “You two would look perfect together in photos.”

My stomach twisted. Sophia Thompson. The rich, pretty girl that was openly flirty with Liam at every event. The perfect public match.

Under the table, Liam’s hand found mine for a quick squeeze. But he didn’t argue with his dad.

Later in the hallway, I cornered him. “So you’re just gonna parade around with her at the gala? While I stand there like the random stepbrother?”

“Alex, it’s just for show,” he said quietly, glancing around. “I have to keep up appearances. You know that.”

“Appearances,” I repeated, hurt leaking into my voice. “Right. Because I’m the boy you fuck at night but can’t be seen with.”

Liam’s face softened as he pulled me into a quick hug, whispering, “It’s not like that. Give me until after the merger. Please.”

I nodded, but inside I was cracking. This secret was starting to feel like poison.

That night, another text came from the same unknown number while I was alone in my room.

“ Tomorrow night. Old garage behind the property. Come alone or the photo goes to William and every tabloid in London. I know everything.”

My blood ran cold. This was too real now.

I texted Liam immediately, “We have a problem. There’s a new message. They want me to meet them tomorrow.”

His reply came almost immediately. “Do NOT go alone. We’ll figure this out together. Stay in your room tonight.”

But as I stared at the message, I heard footsteps echo in the hallway again. Slower this time. Stopping right outside my door.

Then a soft knock.

“Alex? You awake, son?” William’s voice.

Shit.