I didn't ask for your help

The man stood in front of me, smiling victoriously like I was some bet he had finally won.

“Get up, you fools,” he barked at his accomplices still groaning on the ground. “We have a bird to take care of.”

The men dragged themselves up, cracking their necks as they stared at me with pure hatred burning in their eyes.

I crawled backward, my palms scraping against the rough pavement as the man stepped closer. My heart slammed so hard against my ribs it almost hurt. I knew exactly the kind of danger I was in.

But before he could reach for me, the screech of tires tore through the air.

A sleek black car came to a reckless halt across the road, headlights cutting through the darkness. Every head turned as the driver’s door swung open.

And the person who stepped out was none other than Kayden.

“Step away from her.”

His voice was low and deadly as he moved in front of them, looking like a man straight out of a Hollywood thriller ready to destroy anyone in his path.

The men turned toward him. The one who had shoved me to the ground let out a mocking laugh.

“And who the hell do you think you are?” he asked, tilting his head at Kayden.

“That’s none of your business,” Kayden hissed, his fists tightening at his sides. “Now step aside.”

The man suddenly gestured for his men to attack Kayden, but they were no match for him.

The first guy barely reached him before Kayden drove a fist straight into his stomach. A sick groan left the man as he crumpled to the ground. The second swung at him and this time, his fist slammed into his jaw. Kayden groaned lightly as he breathed heavily. But he didn't back down. The man wanted to throw him a second punch but Kayden dodged easily and slammed him against the car hard enough to make the metal rattle.

Within seconds, they were all back on the ground, groaning in even more pain than before.

When the leader realized his men had been taken out, his face paled. He slowly backed away before suddenly turning and running. His men followed.

I nearly laughed despite everything. What a bloody coward.

Kayden immediately rushed over to me and squatted in front of me.

“Do you have any idea how stupid that was?” He asked, grabbing my hand.

“I’m fine.” I tried pulling my hand from his grip, but he held on firmly. I could see the faint injury in his own knuckle.

“Let me see,” he ordered, shooting me a warning look.

My brows furrowed. Did he think he owned my body or something? If I didn’t want to show him, that was my business.

Still, I let him.

His fingers were surprisingly warm against my skin as he examined the scrape carefully, his grip gentler now.

This was the first time I was seeing this side of Kayden. The side that actually cared. I didn't know what to make of this version of him.

“Okay,” he muttered, exhaling softly. “It’s not too deep.”

He took out a dark handkerchief from his back pocket and wrapped it around the wound. He did it so gently and carefully, if I didn't know better, I'd probably think he was a gentle man.

When he was done, he stood and stretched out his hand toward me.

“C’mon. Your mother’s worried about you.”

“Sophia?” I scoffed, looking away. “She’s never worried about me.”

Still, I took his hand and pulled myself up. Dust clung to my skirt, and I brushed the dirt off the front and back with quick irritated movements.

“Sure?”

Wanting to change the subject, I asked, “Why do you even care?”

We walked toward the car.

“Because you’re my step-sister now.” He opened the driver’s door before glancing at me. “And you still owe me.”

He slid into the driver’s seat.

“I’m not letting you get hurt before you get the chance to finish our deal.”

He started the engine, and the car pulled smoothly down the street.

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms tightly across my chest. Of course. That stupid deal was all he cared about.

But as much as I hated to admit it, I still needed it.

Now that my mother was married to Kayden’s father, the debt was technically settled. But that didn’t magically guarantee my college tuition. And even if they offered to help me, I wouldn’t take a single cent from them. I already hated their ridiculous marriage enough as it was.

Which meant Kayden’s money was still useful to me.

But he was my Stepbrother now? How was I supposed to survive an entire month, doing whatever he wanted and acting as a step sister?

I let out a discreet breath. I decided not to let it bother me. My plan was after that one month, I'd go to another town and start a new life, far away from them.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked suddenly, turning the wheel as the car curved into the street leading to my house.

“Did you know about our parents marriage?” I asked, refusing to look at him.

“No.” He replied cooly. “I only found out this evening.”

I didn't say any other thing. I just stared out the window at the empty streets sliding past under the dim streetlights. The city suddenly felt too quiet.

My fingers curled tightly against my lap as the images from earlier flashed through my head again. Those disgusting perverts. The way they had looked at me. The way they had grabbed me.

A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

If Kayden hadn’t shown up when he did, only God knew what would’ve happened to me.

Kayden glanced sideways at me before returning his eyes to the road. The silence inside the car stretched awkwardly as the sound of the engine filled the space between us. I looked down and noticed my torn finger nail. It must have happened when that perv shoved me to the ground.

Then he finally spoke.

“What were you thinking walking around at this hour?” His voice was tight. “What if those sonuvabitches did something terrible to you?”

I looked at him properly then.

His fingers were gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had turned pale.

Why did he suddenly care so much?

Back in high school, he had watched his friends bully me without saying a word. Sometimes he had even looked entertained by it. And now he was acting protective?

“I was taking perfectly good care of it.”

“From what I saw, you weren’t,” he shot back sharply, one hand still on the wheel while the other rested tensely on his lap.

“Kayden…” I suddenly felt exhausted by whatever this act was supposed to be. Because that was exactly what it felt like. An act. “It’s none of your business. Like I said, I was handling it perfectly fine.”

The car suddenly jerked violently as he slammed on the brakes.

The screech of the tires cut through the silent night, making me flinch hard. A gasp escaped my lips as my body lurched forward, my head nearly smashing against the windshield.

Anger instantly coiled in my chest.

I turned sharply toward him.

His jaw was locked so tightly a muscle ticked in his cheek, his chest rising heavily with each breath.

And for the first time that night, I actually questioned if maybe he really did care.

“What was that for?” I scowled at him, rubbing my arm where the seatbelt had dug into my skin. Could he not use every opportunity he got to piss me off?

“You’re my stepsister and it’s my duty to protect you.” His voice rose slightly, frustration slipping through. “Don’t walk alone at night again.”

I hated the way he called me his stepsister before. But now, it just disgusted me because he has no fucking right to.

“I won’t let you tell me how to live my life,” I snapped, leaning back against the seat and folding my arms tightly across my chest.

He let out a quiet chuckle and gave a single nod, like he found my reaction amusing.

Then he twisted around, reaching into the backseat. After a second, he pulled out a small shopping bag and handed it to me.

“We can’t start with that injury of yours,” he said, still not looking at me. “And you look like you could use a whole lot of sleep.”

“What’s this?” I frowned, peeking into the bag. Whatever was inside had been wrapped carefully in black nylon.

“It’s a little present from me,” he replied casually. “Don’t open it till you get inside.”

I didn’t bother responding.

I pushed open the car door, cool night air brushing against my face as I stepped out. But before I could move away, his hand suddenly wrapped around mine.

I froze.

“What is it?” I blurted impatiently.

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear.

“Hope you’re ready, Dolly.”

My brows furrowed instantly.

I snatched my hand away from him and stepped back from the car. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the smirk tugging at his lips.

Annoying bastard.

Without another word, I walked straight toward the entrance of the building, refusing to give him even a backward glance.

But halfway up the staircase, I paused by the small window.

Outside, the headlights of his car cut through the darkness as he started the engine and drove away.

The sound slowly faded into the night.

I tightened my grip on the shopping bag before turning back toward my apartment.

Now it was time to face Sophia.