Page 88 of The Fractured

“It spiraled from cock-block,” I explained before looking at Jane. “Why are you grounded?”

“My grades were below average. You know how it is with her… I passed, but not to our mother’s standards— You dropped out of school, right?” she asked Dean.

He pulled away from the door frame as he moved to stand by me, resting a hip against the counter as he crossed his arms. There was a faint smile on his face. “Yeah, but I don’t recommend doin’ it if you’re good at school.”

Jane groaned and scrubbed the next dish with a little more force. “I can’t wait to move out.”

I pouted and pulled an arm around her. “You could come live with Kira and me.”

“Tempting, but I don’t want to be another cock-block for you guys,” she mused.

Dean cleared his throat. At first, I wondered if it was because of my sister’s insinuation, until he tipped his head to the doorway.

Jane and I looked over our shoulders to where Mom stood, once again shocked by the word she overheard — and possibly the idea of Jane moving out. The expression was brief before she raised her chin.

“Dessert is served.” She didn’t bother waiting for a response as she left.

“I can already feel that lecture brewing,” Jane muttered as she pulled off the gloves.

She left the kitchen first, and we followed her into the hallway. Except while Jane went to the dining room, I slowed to a stop, taking Dean’s sleeve to indicate he do the same.

He looked at me quizzically.

“What did you and Dad talk about? Was it the case? Or Antonio? Is he pulling you from this whole thing because Antonio’s kids know things?”

A lopsided smile graced his features, and he shook his head. “Not really. Actually, he told me to do as Antonio says. Play by ear, so to speak… What he really wanted to talk about was his rules.”

“Wait. He actually gave youthe talk?”

“While I’m under his roof, I’m not allowed in your room. If he catches meinyour room, he’ll probably shoot me.”

“And you’re going to be a complete gentleman and not break that rule?”

“You know me well.”

I hummed in irritation and crossed my arms.

The plans I had for tonight had already been ruined by one man — Gabriele and his unspoken threats — and any attempt to revive them were just dashed again by my father’s slightly misogynistic house rules.

I shaved, for fuck’s sake.

Yes, it was disturbing to know the triplets figured out Antonio’s oddly avoidant plan and that they were possibly — but hopefully not — planning some type of revenge, but tonight I made the mistake of wearing something extra that was in no way helping my situation. It was drawing my attention to slightly more urgent needs. Pleasurable needs.

Dean raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Whatdidyou have planned tonight? Because what you’re wearing under this is…somethin’ else.” He brought his fingers to one of the drawstrings on my hoodie and twirled it around his middle finger.

It was hard to stay annoyed when he looked at me like that. “Just…things.”

“What things?”

“Distractions.”

“Yeah?” He pinched the front of my hoodie and gently pulled me closer, cocking his head back as he looked down at me through hooded eyes.

“Pity you’re too much of a gentleman to find out. Considering the rules.”

He smiled and ground his jaw a little. “Good point—”

“We’re waiting.” My mother’s voice cut through the moment, and we pulled apart. She stood outside the dining room with a hand on her hip.