Page 22 of Bonded and Betrayed
“How many times do you have to be told you’re not meant for this life?” I say, spelling it out for him. Guilt claws at my throat at the sadness that creeps into those light grey eyes, but I swallow it down.
It’s better I push him away now than he gets himself killed trying to fit into this life.
“I’m meant for you though, and that’s all that matters,” he answers.
I fight down the sense of longing that grips me. I fucking want him. I know I do. Why does he have to be so sweet?
“For fucksake,” I growl, letting him go. I stumble back a step, putting some distance between us before I cave. “Zeke, I just—I just can’t.”
I look between the two of them, so similar yet so different. I was able to get them mixed up so easily when I was tipsy and barely looking beyond the surface, but now they couldn’t be less alike to me.
“There’s nothing we can do now, babe,” Zeke sighs, raking his hands back through his black hair. “Let’s just all get back in the car and start driving.”
I clench my jaw, my eyes narrowing on the stowaway sibling. “You’re staying in the car, though.”
“We’ll see about that.” Zayn smirks. He skips merrily towards the back seat, setting my teeth on edge.
My chest deflates as I look at Zeke apologetically. There’s still so much tension that lingers between them, something neither seems keen on clearing up.
Maybe some good can come out of this surprise after all.
Zeke gives me a half-hearted smile before making his way back to the driver’s side.
I’m going to make the two of them talk, even if it takes all day. Serves Zayn right for interrupting us.
My cheeks heat at the memory of what almost happened with Zeke just moments before the interruption—and then my mind drifts to what could have happened if Zayn had joined in. Their strong, muscled chests pinning me between them, their lips trailing over my skin, devouring me as their cocks—
Nope. Do not go there.
It’s already going to be a long enough drive with the two of them pointedly ignoring each other—no need to make it even more stifling with the scent of my arousal permeating the car.
Resignedly cock-blocked, I pull in a staggered breath, willing my desire to dissipate as I stride back to the passenger side.
Alongdrivewasan understatement. Neither Zeke nor Zayn offered up more than a few words whenever I tried to start a conversation. Their responses to me were fine, but if I even tried to broach the subject of the two brothers, they clammed up with clipped words before they changed the subject.
This is going to be harder than I thought. Both of these men are open in their own ways. Zayn is much more relaxed and laid back, which is to be expected when he didn’t grow up the way Zeke had. Not that I know much about his past yet. Zeke is the one who encouraged and helped me work through my fears and emotions, yet he seems unwilling to open up about Zayn.
Even if I don’t think Zayn is right for this life, the two deserve the chance to get to know their sibling.
“Skylar, I—“ Zeke says as he pulls into a parking lot. The sudden jolt of the car coming to a stop jerks me from my thoughts. “I don’t even know what to say right now.”
Zeke takes a deep breath and leans his head back against the headrest.
I know what he means.
My eyes are drawn further down the street to the opening of the alley a few blocks away, the one that is imprinted into my memory. It’s one thing to think about this place, about what happened that night. It’s a completely different thing to be here.
I take a shuddered breath and close my eyes, willing the images to clear.
Zeke didn’t kill him,I remind myself. But someone did.
My hand shifts almost on its own accord, instinctively finding Zeke’s on the parking brake. Our fingers twine, weaving with one another as enduring as our bond. Our fates and our lives are unequivocally linked as one, our hearts meant to heal and support each other.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I breathe, my eyes flickering open to meet his. Light shines within those stormy orbs, guiding me through the torrential downpour I’ve been stuck in. “I know.”
I let him feel my emotions through the connection, reminding him that I’m not harboring any resentment towards him. This is our truth. This is a hurdle we were meant to overcome together. He didn’t know his target was my father, and even still, fate didn’t let him take that shot.
Our moment is cut short though, as Zayn opens the door and climbs out of the car. My jaw grinds, my heart thundering as panic strikes me. I unclip my seatbelt, reluctantly pulling my hand from Zeke’s as I whip open the door.