Tangled feelings

Chapter 4

I felt the air leave my lungs, my hand went weak and i found my water bottle rolling on the floor, All I heared was a rushing sound in my ear, like a wave crashing.

" What do you mean they took him?",

The Renegades, the most dangerous gang group most people feared, for their dubious and illegal activities, causing chaos in the city. "why will they take him?"I asked but deep down I could already guess .

My mother lowered her eyes, shame and fear mixing on her face . "It's because of his gambling Lia "

"Gambling."

Something I thought he had left years ago. Something that once destroyed his job , his friendship and marriage.

"I didn't want to tell you" , she wispered "cause I didn't want you to feel responsible for him, "

"He is still my father", i said painfully.

"I know", she wispered"but this time he got himself mixed up with the underground betting , he borrowed money, a lot of it from the Renegade's battle ring."

That made my heart to ache more.

"How much was it?"

" Four hundred and eighty five thousand dollars ''

"Mom ....what!"

I opened my month to speak but another voice cut through the air.

Deep..Cold ...Calm

" Four hundred and eighty five thousand"?

My heart jarked so violently that I spun around.

Rubben , standing slightly at the doorway, his hair slightly messy and his sleeve rolled up . Chest rising slowly like he has come down for something ordinary.

Ruben, sweetheart…” Mom started carefully, folding her arms as if to hide the panic that had been spilling everywhere seconds ago. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry—"

“What debt?” he asked.

For the first time in my life, my mother seemed… afraid to speak.

“Mom,” I whispered, “just tell him.”

“No,” she muttered back sharply. “This is not his burden. I won’t drag—”

But Rubben stepped fully into the room, and his presence alone felt like a door slamming shut behind us.

He looked straight at my mother.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

Mom exhaled shakily. “Your… her father… he was taken.”

Ruben’s jaw clenched. “When?”

“An hour ago.” Her voice trembled again. “The man called and said he owed them the money from gambling. They said if we don’t pay—”

“They’ll kill him,” I finished, my voice breaking.

Ruben’s eyes flew to mine instantly.

The second our gazes connected, something inside me twisted painfully.

That kind of gaze that will hold you captive.

Listen Rubben, I don't won't to bother you with this you're not........

"I'm not your blood?"

I’m not your blood. I’m not Lia’s father’s son. So I should stay out. Right?”

"We're family'', what bothers you troubles me ."

Mom glanced at me , her hand wringing. " I...I don't know how to....

You don't need to worry, Rubben interrupted his eyes meeting mine. Just a look nothing more it carried the quiet assurance that one needed for a problem to disappear.

He made a call short and precise , his expression didn't change but it made the tension in the room to disappear.

Consider it handled, Rubben said lightly tucking his phone away.

But we all know exactly what he has done and the power he commanded, without saying it he has just done what he could , and there was no question it would work.

Few minutes later a call came in, the depth has been covered.

My father bruised and shaken had already been promised release. The Renegades has no choice. Anyone in Rubben position cannot be refused.

My mom breathed out a sigh of relief, her hand shaky as she clutched mine.

I stepped forward rapping my hands around him instinctively, he hugged me back tightly. I could feel his body pressed hardly against mine. I felt shaky and weak at the same time , I immediately pulled away so he couldn't hear my heartbeat.

"Your dad will be fine." He wispered before he left shutting the door behind he .

He's really something, my mother murmured.

I didn't answer, I only glanced towards the door way and Rubben had disappeared through , and realized for all his quiet Authority, he had saved my father. And somehow I felt so grateful and terrified at the same moments.

......

I didn't know why I was walking towards Kate apartment this late, maybe it was the shock of the last few hours, the news about my father, Rubben stepping in, the Renegades and most likely the storm that formed within me .i needed someone to talk to, someone who can understand the forbidden feelings I had try so hard to ignore.

I knocked gently.

" Lia" Kate voice called from the door she opened it with a wide smile, wearing an overisze sweater and her messy hair tied in a bun.

What are you doing at this hour?, you look like you've seen a ghost.

I forced a weak laugh, I probably have,......more than a living nightmare

She pulled me inside and gesture to the couch. " Talk Lia, spill it.'

I slumbed down, rubbing my trembles.it's Rubben Kate my voice dropped to a whisper. And Kate eyes immediately lit up .

" Ah... That guy", she said teasingly....your step brother.

Kate !, you don't get it

She leaned closer , eyes sparkling with mischief." Try me ".

I took in a deep breath, I....I can't stop thinking about him, I know it is wrong , he's my stepbrother . But every time he looks at me , or even just stand there, I feel things I shouldn't . forbidden things, and I can't get them out of my head.

Kate tilted her head and grinned, " well maybe the easiest way to get it out of your system is to just ......do it.

What!, I almost jumbed off the couch.

"Kate!, are you insane I cannot."

She shrugged like it was obvious, just saying, if I were in you shoes I would have done that long ago .

I glared at her , feeling heat rise in my cheeks.kate!," you don't understand he's my step brother, he's not just some guy ."

Oh Lia , come on you're overthinking it, the guy is fine , hot body, Smart, confident....I would be lying if I say I don't think about him too. But you , you're literally in his house , you see him, you know him and you're telling me you've never wanted him?.

I shook my head furiously," no I have , and i hate it. I hate the fact I'm even thinking about it ".

Kate leaned back, smirking. “Look, I’m just saying… it’s not like he’s actually your brother. Not by blood. So what’s stopping you? Feelings are feelings. Desire is desire. If you want to get it out of your system, sometimes the best way is… well, to face it.”

I stared at her, shocked, my mind racing. “kate… you’re insane. I cannot do that.”

Insane , she said with a teasing roll of her eyes, if I were you, I wouldn't be hiding behind guilt, that guy is fine, too fine to waste feeling guilt about.

I covered my face with my hands, I can't believe I'm thinking about this .

Kate poked my shoulder grinning, you're human Lia and honestly sometimes you just have to admit your feelings before they eat you alive.Trust me if i were you I would have done it already .

I peeked through my fingers at her , Frustrated , embarrassed. Kate made it sound so simple, like desire was something you could just..... take care of.

Kate leaned closer, Smirking like she has got all the answers to my guilty thoughts , "come on Lia admit it. One night with him wouldn't even be enough would it?"

I nearly dropped my head into my labs,Kate! You're impossible ., don't say things like that.

" Exactly," she said with a grin , deal with it, or it will deal with you .

I sat in silence, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in my head. One night wouldn’t even be enough… Mira’s words echoed in my mind. I hated how true it felt.

Some part of me wanted to run, to avoid even thinking about Rubben. But another part… a part I didn’t want to admit… burned with curiosity and longing, and it was only going to get worse if I didn’t do something.

Let's get drunk Lia , have fun in a club maybe....you might meet a new guy have a one night stand with him, and all this fascination about Rubben might get off your throat .

Getting drunk wasn't my thing, but I just have to take the risk......