You’re Not My Brother

I looked up to see dark blue eyes staring at me, a head full of black hair tilted, and full lips smirking at me. “Are you lost, love?”

He was… beautiful. With long lashes that seemed to kiss his high cheekbones whenever he blinked. And there was something unnatural about his eyes, but it only added to his charm—his boyish charm that somehow managed to scream danger. And like Mr. Varkas, there was an air of power and mystery around him.

“No,” I managed, my voice sounding croaky. “Actually, I am. I need help finding the butler.”

A perfectly trimmed eyebrow raised in question. “Gabriel? What do you need him for?”

I fought the urge to groan and shake him. Even though he looked impossibly perfect, that still wasn't enough to douse my anger. I still needed water and I needed to be alone.

“Can we skip the questions? I just need Gabriel because I need him to show me to my room.”

He watched me, his eyes fixed on me. “Ah,” he suddenly exclaimed as if something just occurred to him. “Rosette. Vera’s daughter and the new addition to the family. Nice to finally meet you, baby sis.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, my anger plain in my voice. “Who the hell are you to be calling me your sister?”

He straightened, squaring his shoulders and at that moment I realized how tall he was. I wasn't a short person by any means, but right now I felt small.

“Axel Varkas,” he introduced, bowing slightly.

I stared at him, a frown between my brows. “Varkas…” I looked him over. From his blue eyes to his soft looks. The only thing he had in common with that man earlier was the aura.

“I'm Silas’s youngest son,” he clarified upon seeing the question on my face.

I simply nodded. “Can you point me to where I can find Gabriel?”

Axel crossed his arms, leaning his hip on the wall. “Not even a ‘nice to meet you, big bro?’”

“You’re not. My. Brother,” I snarled, and was just about to walk past him when he grabbed my hand, faster than I could even blink, pinning me to the wall and pressing his body against me.

“You’re being rude,” he muttered, leaning down and pressing his nose to my neck. He inhaled deeply and then he shivered, groaning deep in his throat. “God, your scent…”

I struggled against him, disgusted and—despite myself—turned on. His body was hard. Hot. Hotter than what should’ve been humanly possible. And, unmistakably, a very specific part of him was getting hard.

“Let go, Axel,” I grumbled, struggling to break free despite the wetness I could feel between my legs.

He pulled away from my neck and looked at me. I gasped, my eyes going wide and lips parting when I saw his eyes. There was… glowing. Not bright, but glowing faintly—just enough to be undeniably human.

“Say that again.”

“Let… go,” I managed, my voice small.

He shook his head, and his hair covered his eyes. Before I could even think, my hand was reaching out to push his hair away, once again exposing his eyes.

“Not that, Rosette,” he said, his voice rough. “My name… say it.”

The words slipped out of my mouth on their own accord. “Axel…”

He groaned, digging his nose in my neck again and inhaling deeply. The more he inhaled, the harder he got until his fully erect dick was pressed on my stomach.

“Rosette,” he rasped, grinding against me. “Your scent is driving me insane.”

One of his hands slipped into my pants and that was what snapped me back to my senses. I placed my hand on his chest and pushed. Caught by surprise, he staggered back, his eyes clouded and still glowing—even more than before.

“Y-you dog,” I spat, my chest heaving, face burning.

The absolute bastard had the nerve to smile. “Close, but I'm way worse.”

I turned away from him, dizzy and breathless, and just walked away from him. I didn't know where I was going, but I just wanted to be far from him.

What the fuck was that? I had never lost control of myself before? I have always been in control of my emotions. The only person who has ever managed to make me snap was my mom. But even that was a rare occurrence.

Just as I headed towards the stairs, someone else came into view and I paused. He was standing at the start of the stairs, dressed in a three-piece luxury suit, and his hair styled to perfection.

I didn't need an expert to tell me this was another Varkas. Everything about him screamed it, but it was also in his blue eyes. Those eyes that had an unnatural look.

And those eyes were fixed on something behind me. I looked behind me to see Axel in a staring contest with his brother. The look from earlier was gone and his face was now filled with cockiness.

I looked away from him when I felt eyes on me and looked back at the stairs. The newcomer’s eyes were now fixed on me. I fought not to fidget under that stare.

Unlike his brother, this man had no trace of boyish charm. Everything about him said he was the type to smash me beneath his polished designer shoes without blinking.

“Miss Jansen,” he called, the first person to address me by my surname in this household. “I'm Kross Varkas. And since Gabriel is occupied, I’ll show you to your room.”

He turned and climbed up the stairs, not looking back to check if I was following. I looked behind me, but Axel was no longer standing there.

I followed Kross up the stairs and into a long hallway, walking behind him, and not once did he look back. Didn't even slow his stride. Just walked straight ahead and finally he stopped when he reached the end, opening the door.

I finally caught up to him and stepped inside the room where he still held the door open.

“This will be your room for now,” he informed me, his voice cool like he was discussing business.

I turned to him, an eyebrow raised. “For now?”

He nodded and said nothing to explain what he meant. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” He moved to shut the door but then paused, looking back at me. “Always keep your door locked.”

The door clicked softly as he closed it, and I stood still for a long time, staring at where he stood.

“Creeps,” I muttered, finally moving and heading to the bathroom.

Barely a day here, and I could tell these people weren't normal. I already wanted out.