Semua Bab SUBMISSIVE TO MY BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND : Bab 21 - Bab 30

OWAIN LUTHERI half-expected Malcom to ask me to stay close to Karima.Sure, he was p*ss*d at me for keeping the truth from him, and maybe he thinks I’m a walking time bomb that needs to stay the hell away from his sister. But this wasn’t just about me. Nathan wasn’t any better—hell, he was worse. The guy f*cked his sister's best friend. If that doesn’t scream danger, then what does?And looking at Karima now, already wound up and not okay with any of this, I knew one thing for certain: she could never find out I struck a deal with Malcom to stay over for the week using her as the string. The arrangement was simple, I’d keep an eye on her, make sure Romeo didn’t get close. But to her? It would sound like I’d bargained her away, like I’d bet on her. She’d hate me for it. Maybe she already did just by agreeing to be her watchdog.Still… between me and Nathan? I was the bigger threat. Malcom didn’t realize it yet, but I did. She doesn’t just need protecting from men like Nathan. She need

KARIMA HEARTI stared at it like it was something strange, almost fascinating.What exactly had I been expecting? This was Owain. He was the only type of man who’d think of doing something this twisted.I should’ve known. The way he kept pestering me about it, pressing for me to open it. It all made sense now.Really?His voice cut through my thoughts."Does that remind you of something?" he asked, just before I snapped my eyes to his.Was he serious right now?He had stolen my panties from the night we f*cked, and wrapped them in a box as some kind of gift."Have you held onto this since that night?"I asked, forcing my voice calm, swallowing the urge to scream at him.But whatever I said slipped straight past his ears. His gaze dragged over me, heavy, stopping at my core like he could see through me."I thought that would thrill you," he said smoothly. "And since I needed a reminder of that night, I kept it safe. Do you see the dry part of the fabric? That’s where you milked for me.

KARIMA HEART"Seems Romeo already figured out you’re here with me," Owain said, lips curled to the side like he was throwing a question I had no business answering."I hate you, Owain. I really, really hate you," I spat.But deep down I knew hate wasn’t enough. I wanted to do more, maybe leap across the room, knock that smirk clean off his face, or maybe even grow some miracle kind of woman-superpower that’d send him flying through the roof. Anything to stop this ridiculous craving for him that still clawed at me. And there I was, standing naked, wishing for a miracle that wasn’t coming."I know you hate me," he murmured, maddeningly calm, "but don’t worry, that won’t last. Now, get dressed, you wouldn’t want your boyfriend catching you naked in my room, would you?" His smile deepened, smug, like this was some grand game only he knew the rules to.What the hell was wrong with him? One second, he was protective, almost decent. The next, he was back to being unreadable, cocky, and infur

KARIMA HEARTI shifted under the pressure of his weight, his warmth pressing me down more than his body ever could."Are you okay?" he asked, bracing himself with his knuckles, lifting just enough for me to drag in a breath."I can breathe now," I whispered, turning to face him. He rolled onto his back beside me, the mattress dipping, his arm brushing lightly against mine."You okay now?" he asked again, softer this time, his voice low and close enough to feel on my skin.I only nodded, pulling the duvet over my bare laps, though it did little to hide the shiver that ran through me."So… what’s your answer?" His eyes stayed fixed on me, steady, searching, while I avoided his gaze.It wasn’t a question I intended answering. Not now. Maybe not until I was sure of what I truly wanted to say. But with Nathan, there was never really a choice.Because if there’s one thing Nathan was relentless at, it was wearing you down, inch by inch, until you gave him an answer. Not just any answer, the

MALCOM HEARTKarima stared at me, jaw dropped. I doubt she even knew her mouth was hanging open.What did she think? That I wouldn’t notice she’d been paying Mom a visit?She’d tried hard to hide it, but nothing gets past me unless I don’t care enough to look.“Malcom,” she started, brushing her hair to the side like someone bracing for a court verdict. “I swear, I wanted to tell you but...”“I didn’t say you couldn’t visit her. I just don’t want you paying her bills, that’s all.” I cut in.Keeping it that way was enough. There were truths Karima should never know. Not about Mom. Not about the secrets that weighed on me every time I looked at her.It wasn’t like I could stop her completely. She’d always been close with Mom, even when Dad was more present at home. Mom was never the type to stay. Partying, disappearing, drifting. But still, Karima had chosen her to cling to. God knows why it was her of all people she could be closer to.“So you don’t mind me visiting her at the hospital?