Page 20 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)
Courtney had only been at university for a few weeks when an old threat reared its ugly head. I assessed that it was a credible threat, and with her life in real danger, I knew we had to do something.
In an attempt to keep her safe, with Marcus and Maximus’ permission, I moved Courtney into Morelli Mansion. It’s probably the safest place in all of Blackthorn, given its level of security.
When I found out that my little sister was fucking Maximus Morelli, Marcus’ father, I regretted my decision instantly. Initially, I thought it was just sex between them—despite not wanting to ever think about that—but the longer it goes on, it’s clear there’s something more.
As much as I hate to admit it, Maximus has been a good influence on Court, and he’s constantly pushing her to see and value her own self-worth. Her confidence has grown, and she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.
“That’s a great idea,” I tell her.
I hated that she had to give up university to go into hiding, and even when the threat was eradicated, she was still too scared to leave the mansion and go back to her old life. Now, she’s staying at the mansion because she chooses to, not because she’s terrified.
“Maximus says I don’t have to work, if I don’t want to, as he can look after me, but he thinks having something that’s just for me is important. He knows I see dropping out of university as me failing, and this is my chance to rewrite my story.”
She has this faraway, almost love-sick look on her face when she talks about him, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something she won’t appreciate.
I can accept that Maximus might be good for her, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. She’s my little sister, and he’s old enough to be her father.
Fuck, he’s probably old enough to be her grandfather!
I keep those thoughts from my mind as I reply through gritted teeth. “I hate to say this, but I agree with Maximus.”
Courtney chuckles as her cheeks flush pink. “I know you still don’t approve, but I really like him. It started off as just a bit of fun, and it took us both by surprise when we realised it had become more .”
“Not as much of a shock as it was for Marcus,” I say with a laugh, remembering how much Marcus drank when he found out they were together.
Court chuckles, her smile growing as she says, “That’s true. I still remember the look on his face!”
I shake my head, though my smile doesn’t waver. “No matter how drunk I get him, Marcus still won’t tell me what happened that day.”
“I’m sure he never will,” Courtney adds, her eyes sparkling with humour.
Marcus found out about his dad and Courtney before I did, and although he won’t divulge the story, I know it’s one that still traumatises him to this day.
It’s the only time our friendship has been tested, as Marcus didn’t tell me as soon as he found out. He gave Courtney a deadline and told her she had to tell me by then, or he would do it.
He knew for almost two weeks before I found out, and when I learnt that he knew and hadn’t told me, I was pissed. We argued, we got drunk together, and we hashed it out between us.
In the end, we joined together in our mutual disgust, not that it changed anything. Maximus and Courtney have been together for almost a year now, and I don’t see that ending anytime soon.
When we’ve both stopped laughing, I hit her with my best big brother stare, letting her see how serious I am. “All joking aside, are you happy?”
She doesn’t even hesitate before she’s nodding her head rapidly, that big smile lighting up her face. “Happier than I’ve been in a long time. I don’t need your blessing or approval, nor will I ask for it, but I really hope that someday you’ll give me it, anyway.”
I let out a sigh. “Of course, you have my blessing. Just try to make this work, because I’m pretty sure I’ll get in a lot of trouble for trying to kill Maximus if he hurts you. So, try not to get either of us killed, please.”
Court chuckles as she wraps her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. “I promise not to get us killed, if you promise to talk to Jake.”
I groan and she pulls back, fixing me with a hard stare that she doesn’t back down from until I agree. “Fine, I’ll talk to him.”
She lets out a little whoop as she shuffles away from me. We stick to safer topics as we finish our food, both of us enjoying just being with each other. Once we’ve finished eating, Courtney asks for the bill.
“You should go. There’s no time like the present,” she says, pointing to the door.
“He’s on a date,” I grumble, but she waves me off like that’s irrelevant.
“You know where they’ll be when the date is over, so wait for him there,” she suggests as she pulls on her jacket.
She makes it sound so easy. Go to Caged, wait for them to get back from their date, have a conversation with Jacob about the past. When it’s broken up like that, of course it sounds easy, yet it’s anything but.
What do I have to lose?
After I’ve paid the bill, I give my sister a big hug goodbye, making plans to do this again soon, before we part ways. My mind is a blur as I drive, almost on autopilot, back to Caged.
Jake’s car isn’t back, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It would be so easy to go home now and forget all about talking to him, but I’ve never broken a promise I made to Courtney, and I don’t plan to start now.
With slow, almost sluggish movements, I drag my feet as I walk into Caged. I order a drink at the bar, but rather than grab my usual stool, I take my glass over to a table by the window. It overlooks the car park, and I’ll be able to see when they get back.
As I nurse another Whiskey and Coke, my mind starts to wander, and the memories that I fought so hard to push back, when Courtney brought them up, flash in my mind. I think back to the night when I almost got everything I ever wanted, only to lose it all.