All Chapters of WANTING MY STEP—BROTHER : Chapter 81 - Chapter 85

Dante Being held hostage against my will was one thing, being held hostage by a man who had a hand to play in Melanie’s disappearance and chose to keep it hidden was another thing I couldn’t fucking take. Federico had set me up. I growled, ran my hands through my hair as I stared at the empty cages in front of me. Frustration had mixed with my blood flowing down my entire body. I shook the gate furiously trying to tame the feeling in my chest but no matter how much I tried I couldn’t do it . I retreated to the corner of the cage allowing the frustration to eat me up until that was the only emotion I could feel. The sound of footsteps loud and clear had me rushing towards the gates once again. My eyes fell on Leonardo a few seconds later. He had an agitated look on his face and I wondered what lies Federico had fed him with. “I can’t believe you would do this to her again,” he started hands on the cage, as he stared into my eyeballs. “Melanie has been through a lot and y

DanteI stood outside the estate walls awaiting Aria’s signal. I couldn’t risk going in, not when there were a multitude of guards ready to attack me due to Federico's orders. My patience began to slip. But entangled in that feeling was fear. I hoped Aria didn’t get caught by Leonardo. The thought of my plans going downhill left a bitter taste in my mouth. The sound of the gate opening caught my attention and I took a step backward. I was almost getting to the bushy path I had taken when I heard the signal—the low crow I told Aria to use when she had managed to distract the guards.The both of us had formulated the plan yesterday over the phone. It was simple just like my other plans but despite the simplicity I was frightened by the outcome. Most plans I made these days didn’t exactly go well. There was always something interfering with it. The last thing I wanted was something else stopping me from saving Melanie, and ripping Leo apart.“Where are the guards?” I asked Aria once

Melanie Everything happened in seconds.I watched my mom drop to the ground—just collapse, like someone had cut the strings holding her up. For a heartbeat, my body froze. My vision blurred and then the screaming started.People scattered. Chairs crashed. Men in black drew their guns, shouting commands I couldn’t make out over the pounding in my ears.“Mom—” I tried to run to her, but Federico reached her first, falling to his knees beside her. He pulled her into his arms, shaking, his voice breaking as he begged her to stay with him.A gunshot cracked through the hall.Then another followed.The air filled with bullets, sharp flashes of light, people diving for cover.Before I could move, Juan rushed toward me. Federico looked up, eyes wild with fear.“Get Melanie and Aria out of here! Now!” he yelled.Everything spun. Juan grabbed me, one arm around Aria too, pulling us both toward the exit as more gunfire exploded behind us. The walls echoed with chaos—men yelling orders, boots p