Chapter 5

I dressed up and went downstairs for dinner. Anna was placing some plates on the table, so I joined her, helping arrange them.

“Is Dad having dinner with us? He’s not back, is he?” I asked, adjusting the forks.

“No, he’ll have his when he’s back,” she replied.

“Then who is the extra plate for?” I asked as I pulled out a chair, the wood scraping softly against the floor, and sat.

“Alec has a visitor,” she said, her tone casual.

She reached for a large serving spoon. “Your Dad said you are lactose intolerant, so I made you a special pasta without cream.” She held out a plate, laden with a vibrant red sauce, steam curling upwards.

“Oh, okay, thanks,” I mumbled, taking the plate

“You’re welcome,” she smiled warmly.

“So… the visitor,” I continued, because obviously I wasn’t going to let that slide. “Who is she?”

“Oh, you’ve met her? That’s Kylie. Alec’s childhood friend. She and Roman are the only ones who still stick around him, which I’m grateful for, because Alec can be hard to deal with.” She sighed as she sat down with her own plate of creamy, rich pasta that looked sinful.

God, it looked so good. But of course, my body hates me.

Back to Alec though.

So he’s banging his supposed childhood friend. And who wouldn’t stay around for a hot, mind-blowing sex like that? That alone could buy her loyalty.

As if on cue, footsteps echoed on the stairs, I looked up to see a very beautiful, very curvy woman walking down in nothing but shorts and a huge shirt that I was almost certain belonged to my stepbrother.

Alec might be a prude, but he certainly had an eye for good things. I wouldn’t keep someone like this as just a friend too; she was undeniably hot.

“Hey, Kylie,” Anna called. “You came at the right time. Where’s Alec?”

“He’s washing up,” Kylie replied, her voice a low purr. “He’ll be here soon.”

Did they go another round after he left my room? The thought flickered through my mind. Shut up, Jenna, what is it to you? Or would you have liked to watch again? A fresh wave of disgust washed over me.

Kylie chose a seat two chairs away from mine, her eyes, a startling shade of green, met mine for a fleeting second before darting away.

“Oh, right, I haven’t introduced you two.” Anna’s voice bubbled with enthusiasm as she served Kylie. “Kylie, meet Jenna, Alec’s sister.”

“Step-sister,” Kylie corrected, her gaze snapping back to mine.

I raised my brows slowly. I don’t remember doing anything to this girl.

“Oh, you’ve been filled in. Of course,” Anna laughed.

“Roman and Alec wouldn’t stop talking about her,” Kylie said lightly, crossing her legs. “I had to come see for myself. And turns out she’s just… basic.”

My fork clattered against the plate, the sound sharp in the sudden silence. My irritation, start to bubble over. “Hello? Bitch, do I fucking know you?”

Kylie leaned forward, her green eyes narrowing. “Now you do. Stay. Away. From my friends!”

I hadn’t even done anything yet, and she was already staking her claim. Besides, Alec didn’t even like me.

“Okay, girls,” Anna cut in sharply. “You are not fighting at my table. We’re here to eat and then go to bed. Also, Kylie, you can’t tell her to stay away. They are her brothers!”

At least Anna was defending me.

“Brothers?” Kylie scoffed “They are not blood-related.”

“By law, she is related to Alec. And she can choose to call her brother’s best friend her brother too.” Anna’s words were clipped, a rare flash of steel in her usually gentle demeanor.

Kylie rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. “Whatever. Just stay away from Alec.”

I leaned back slightly, finally letting a smirk form.

“Don’t worry, you can have him.” I smirked, my voice dripping with feigned indifference. “He’s mid, anyway.” I gave her a look that screamed, yeah, I know about it.

Kylie’s expression shifted, a flicker of confusion clouding her features. I wondered if Anna knew they weren’t just friends.

I finished my dinner quickly, the delicious pasta now tasting like ash. Alec still hadn’t come downstairs, thank God

I excused myself, because the thought of his rude childhood friend/fuck buddy was fueling my resolve.

Back in my room, only the thought of how to get back at Alec consumed me.

Hours later, when the house finally settled into a deep silence, I slipped out of my bed and moved like a shadow, down the stairs, through the living room, and towards the back door.

The cool night air brushed my skin as I opened the door to the garage. Alec’s sleek bikes, gleamed under the dim utility light.

These bikes are his biggest possessions. His greatest love, probably. So hurting them would hurt him. A wicked smile touched my lips. This was my kind of fun, a thrill I hadn’t felt since my mother dragged me here. Maybe Alec was right, I was a sociopath.

I chose the black one, I always saw him drive this one. It’s chrome glinted in the faint light. My fingers found the rear brake tension cable easily than I expected, considering I knew nothing about bikes. Well, l might have done a little research, just a little.

I gave it slight twist and a careful adjustment. Just enough to make the brake unresponsive, to send him careening into a ditch.

The thought sent a jolt of excitement through me, a rush that made my blood sing.

After I finished, I slipped back into the house, my heart thrumming with a dark satisfaction. I climbed into bed, pulling the covers tight. Sleep came easily, and I slept like nothing had happened.