Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Julius!” Isla hollered, running behind us.
It was obvious she was overwhelmed by the turn of events. Kraven’s body stumbled out the door, struggling to remain upright, but he managed not to fall.
Her eyes flew from Kraven to me. “It’s not what you think, Julius!”
“It’s never what I think, right?” I roared. “Months of this and how many times have I walked in on something I’m ‘not thinking’?”
“Actually,” Kraven chimed in, regaining his balance, “it’s exactly what you’re thinking.”
Isla glared at Kraven. “Stop it! Don’t do this! He’s your brother!”
“My brother just put me out the door! What loyalty are we pretending we have tonight?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I spewed, disgusted by his response.
“There’s no better time than the present,” Kraven antagonized, leading me on.
“Julius, please… It’s obvious he’s fucked up!” She gestured to him. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
“And what about you?” I countered, fully facing her. “What’s your excuse?”
“I’m as shocked as you are. I wasn’t expecting this! He blindsided me, too.”
In one sudden movement, I shifted her aside and stood up to my brother. This was the first time in all our lives I didn’t give a shit about putting myself before him. He was done being my priority.
From brothers to enemies in a matter of minutes.
The tension was thick and palpable, swarming through the air and hitting us firm and solid. I didn’t expect Kraven to back down. It wasn’t how he was made. Squaring up to me, he cocked his head to the side.
“Julius, please,” Isla begged, grabbing my arm.
Everything happened so fast, yet it still felt like it played out in slow motion.
“Yeah, Julius,” Kraven mocked, smiling like a fool. “Be a good boy like the bitch that you are.”
I jerked my arm out of her grasp.
“Julius, no!” Isla shouted as my fist slammed into Kraven’s jaw, causing his body to whoosh back from the force of my blow.
Kraven tried to catch his balance, stumbling around for a second, while she stared at us with a wide, petrified expression. Not knowing who to focus on more. He caught his bearings, moving around his jaw.
She lunged into action, gripping my arm again. Her attempt at holding me back was pitiful. She was no match against my strength.
“Julius, come on,” she pleaded. “This isn’t the right way! He’s your brother!”
In one stride, Kraven was in my face again, shoving me back.
My head wasn’t just spiraling; it was tossing and turning, barely keeping up with what was occurring. I was tired of all this bullshit and taking matters into my own hands.
Ready to fight for her.
For us.
No matter what, she was mine. Even if I had to prove it to her and my brother.
Man to man, we’d have it out.
* * *
Regardless of the outcome.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Julius
“Get the fuck out of my face, Kraven.”
“Or what?” he argued with his arms at his sides. “You’re going to hit me again? Then just do it! Hit me! Hit me as many times as you want, but that won’t change the truth!”
I snarled, “The truth of what?”
He shoved me, and since I expected it, I didn’t waver. It further incited the fury coursing through his veins because he didn't get the reaction he sought from me.
I was finished playing his games.
“I thought you were my brother!” I pushed him back.
“Kraven, please,” Isla intervened, and I hated the way his name rolled off her tongue.
“Kitty, stay out of it! This is between my brother and me!”
“Actually, this totally involves me!”
“Don’t call her that,” I warned, downright lethal and on edge. “This is how I find out about you two? Through a fucking surveillance camera!”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it! Don’t play the victim, Julius. It’s not your look.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “That’s your role.”
“This is ridiculous,” Isla exclaimed, her voice breaking. “You both need to calm the hell down! Nothing is going to get worked out this way. Choosing violence never does!”
“You would know,” Kraven bit, eyeing her.
“Don’t talk to her like that.”
“Don’t worry, big brother,” he vindictively snapped. “She likes it rough. Not that I expect you to know.”
I swung and he ducked, ramming me into the brick wall behind me.
“You’re only pissed because I know her in ways you never will!”
“You pie—”
“No,” he gritted out, locking his arm under my chin, holding me in place. “I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen.”
“She’s mine…”
“If she were yours, Julius,” he spat, “she wouldn’t have screamed my name first.”
“You know why I did, Kraven…”
I shoved him off, blurting, “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Yeah?” he baited, only looking at her. “What about every time since?”
“If someone doesn’t tell me what the hell is go—”
“Ask her, you pussy, and stop taking it out on me! She tells me because I ask. I don’t run like you do.”
In one breath, I sneered, “I’m not running.”