Page 10 of Nevermore (A Cruel Love #1)

EIGHT

SANTIAGO

I should have known bringing Reign with me would be a mistake.

Call it a passing whim of compassion that told me to let him tag along, but I won’t let that happen again. He can’t even be trusted with himself. He’s completely incompetent. A chaotic mess. Unrefined and prone to bumbling clumsiness. I can’t believe I gave up a good and easy fuck to take him home.

With his arms wrapped around me, his drenched clothes soak into my own. He’s more dry than he was when we left but it’s still uncomfortable. So is the fact that he’s trembling like a leaf, whether due to the wind or the events of tonight. It’s irritating.

We make it home and to no one’s surprise, Holly and my father aren’t back yet.

Sometimes with the women he goes through, he likes to treat them to extravagant dinners then nights spent at a hotel.

Since we’re close enough to some major cities, I have no doubt that’s what he did.

I also am not surprised that he didn’t bother to say anything.

Truthfully, I spend more time alone than with him, so it’s not shocking.

I guess now I shouldn’t be lonely with Reign around.

But bro-bonding is not something I plan on doing.

I have to wait for him to dismount first. He does it on shaky legs and I make a point to not look at him as I get off.

I don’t wait for him or say anything as I enter the house, my sole focus is on getting to my room and listening to music to calm myself.

I make it to the small hallway that leads to my room before the sound of a throat clearing stops me in my tracks.

“Um, Santiago?”

I close my eyes and count to three. Letting out a deep breath, I turn to face Reign. “Yes?”

“Do you think…” He nibbles on his bottom lip, hugging his stupid hat against him as he looks at me. “Do you think we can hang out for a bit? You know, once I dry off?”

“What?” I ask, my voice coming out harsher than I realize. “What makes you think I want to hang out with you?”

His eyes widen. “Well, I just thought?—”

“You thought what?” I snap. “What has given your imbecilic brain even the slightest idea that I want anything to do with you?”

He casts his eyes down as he teeters on his heels. “I… I didn’t realize you hated me.”

I chuckle darkly as I stalk up to him. Forcing his chin up with my forefinger, I make sure to look deep into his sad blue eyes as I speak, “In order to hate you, I’d have to care.

In order to despise you, you’d have to be something of interest to me.

You offer nothing to me, Reign. Don’t mistake my indifference for hatred. ”

He sucks in a sharp gasp and tries to step out of my hold. For some reason, I don’t let him cower. I pinch his chin harder, keeping him locked in place. “Are you going to say anything?”

He averts his gaze as his cheeks flush red. “N-No.”

“Of course you aren’t.” I scoff, pushing him a bit as I let go so he staggers back. “Because from what I’ve witnessed, Reign, you’re pathetic. You have no grit. No backbone. You let people walk all over you and, honestly, you deserve it for being so weak .”

He shakes his head. “Don’t be cruel.”

“Cruel?” I throw my head back with a laugh. “It’s cold hard honesty, brother . Just because you can’t take it doesn’t make it any less true. So, no. I don’t want to hang out with you. Why would I bother wasting my time with someone like you?”

I turn, a little relieved that I finally got that off my chest. I reach for the door handle but loud and urgent footsteps make me stop.

Are you kidding?

I spin on my heels. “What now?—”

But I’m cut off when I’m roughly shoved back against my closed door. My eyes widen as I take Reign in. He’s stronger than he looks, and I didn’t think he had it in him to retaliate. But that’s not what catches my attention.

It’s the absolute fire in his bright blue eyes.

His jaw is clenched, giving him the appearance of someone much older. His blond brows are furrowed, contorting his face into something deadly. He’s trembling, but no longer with humiliation, but something stronger and needier.

My, my…

“Where do you get off?” he barks, shoving me, causing me to wince when the door knob digs into my back. “The fuck you think you’re talkin’ about? You don’t know me, you elitist prick! Want to know what I’ve learned about you?”

“Enlighten me,” I drone, even though my heart picks up its speed.

“You like to judge others? Does that make you feel good about yourself? Do you feel powerful thinkin’ you’re better than everyone else?

You’re not,” he snarls and, in a move I don’t expect, wraps his hand around my throat.

“I bet I’m smarter than you, kinder than you, and overall a better fuckin’ person.

I’m not the pathetic one for havin’ feelin’s and experiencin’ them.

You’re the pathetic one for tryin’ to play that you don’t. ”

“And if I don’t?” I question and I don’t know why my breath comes out in a husky whisper. “What if I don’t, Reign?”

He clicks his tongue as he lets me go and takes a step back. “Then you’re even worse than I thought.” He turns but then changes his mind. He faces me again, shaking his head slowly. “You know what, Santiago? I ain’t even mad. I can’t be. Because you know what I feel?”

“What?”

“Sorry for you.” He sighs and rubs a large hand down his face. “You have a good night. I’ll see you in the mornin’.”

He turns and leaves me stunned and… impressed.

While the things he said about me don’t hold any truth, I can’t deny that I liked seeing this side of my stepbrother.

The one that was meek, mild-mannered, an actual fucking fragile little flower stood up to me.

He showed passion and rage. He spoke like he had some grit and personality besides being a walking, talking doormat.

All I had to do was push and he showed his true self. And I think it was the worst decision he could ever make. Because now…

Now I’m interested.