Chapter 6
Dagger
“Where the hell did she go?”
I was gone for all of fifteen minutes and now I can’t find her.
“She went outside,” Rogue grunts, tipping his head toward the door.
“Why the hell didn’t any of you stop her?”
His eyes cut me a glare. “Didn’t know we were playing babysitter. Looks like she’s old enough to watch out for herself.”
It’s not about her being old enough, it’s about her being a flight risk. “I don’t want her taking off.”
“Are you gonna fill us in on what’s going on with her? How long will she be staying?”
Haven’t got a fucking clue. Depends on how long it takes to get her back on track. I also want to make sure that dad of hers can’t get ahold of her again.
“She’s been buttin’ heads with our parents, so I’m letting her crash here until the dust settles. Not sure how long that will be.”
“Hate to say it, man.” Cage inserts himself into the conversation. “But your sister got all the looks in your family. She’s a fucking beauty.”
I turn and grab him by his cut, feeling the rage skinning my nerves alive. “She’s fucking off-limits, understood? None of you better lay one fucking finger on her. She’s my family. Stepsister or not, you consider her my blood.”
“Dude, chill.” He holds up his hands. “I’m not gonna touch her. I was just payin’ her a compliment is all. I know she’s off-limits. Fuck, man.”
I let him go, shrugging off the tension as I take a breath.
Don’t know why the fuck I launched into him like that.
I know none of these men would break code.
It’s a law that no one touches family, and none of them would.
But she’s a knockout and I can see how the guys might be drawn into temptation.
If they got a glimpse of her in her bare flesh, fuck me…
I’d have to beat them off with a fucking bat.
I’m still struggling to get that shit out of my head.
“Jesus, Dag. You need to calm the hell down.” Rogue shoots me a look. “Never seen you so fucking worked up.”
That’s because I’ve never felt this way before. Protective is putting it mildly. I’d hurt a brother if they tried to get between her legs. And with how pretty that little pussy is, they’d be thirstin’ for a taste. Fuck. I need it to fucking stop.
“The girl has been through some serious shit and doesn’t need anyone sniffin’ up her skirt. By the way, no one give her any booze. She’s made a habit out of drinking lately, and I’m going to put a stop to it.”
The slam of the door startles everyone in the room.
Wynter’s standing in the doorway and it looks like she wants to rage on my ass.
Guess she didn’t like my comment too much.
But too fucking bad. That shit she was pulling back home isn’t gonna fly here.
In fact, she and I need to have a chat about how things are going to operate around here.
She also better start showing some respect to me and my men, or she’s going to find herself in trouble.
Ain’t King or anyone else gonna put up with her attitude.
“Excuse me, brothers. I need to go have a word with my sis.”
I stalk down the hall after her, catching the door right as she tries to slam it in my face.
“Quit the fucking bullshit, Wyn. I’m trying to help your ass.”
“No. You’re trying to embarrass me in front of all of your friends.”
Embarrass her? How the fuck is what I said embarrassing?
“Enlighten me because I fail to see how telling them you’re too young to drink is a problem.”
“You’re acting like I’m broken, Vale. You told them I’ve been through shit and made it seem like I’m an alcoholic. It’s none of their fucking business what I’ve been through. And I don’t have a drinking problem.”
“Keep it down or they’re going to know all of your business.” Noise travels in this place. These walls are paper thin. “And you’re not broken. They just wanted to know why I brought you here.”
“And you couldn’t have told them it was because you wanted to spend some time with your sister?”
“I’m not gonna lie.”
She flinches like I just struck her down. That’s not what I fucking meant, but I don’t get the chance to explain.
“Well, since you don’t want to spend time with me, I’ll get out of your way.”
She grabs her bags and walks toward the door. I widen my stance, blocking her way out. She’s not going anywhere.
“Put your bags down, Wyn. You’re staying put.”
“I’m old enough to decide for myself.”
“I fucking mean it, sis. And it’s not that I don’t want to spend time with you, but you make it so damn difficult. You act like everyone’s your enemy. I’m not the bad guy here. All I’m trying to do is help.”
“Keeping me here against my will is not helping, Vale.” She turns and walks over to my couch, dropping her bags down before she plops down in a huff.
I count to ten, trying to channel a scrap of patience to deal with her stubborn ass.
If this is what having a teenage daughter is like, I may never have kids.
“Look. Can we have a reset?” I take a seat on the edge of the coffee table, forcing myself right in her space.
Unfortunately for her, I’m too big to ignore.
But she certainly tries. She keeps her eyes trained down at her jeans, picking at a frayed hole, pulling at the loose strands of thread.
“I wasn’t trying to embarrass you, Wyn, and I’m sorry if I did.
I promise no one here thinks you’re broken.
Every single man out in that room has been through shit.
We all have our pasts, and no one’s going to judge you for yours. ”
She doesn’t look up, but there is a flicker in her eyes.
The tear in her jeans keeps getting bigger, and so does the silence.
You could cut the tension with a knife. It feels like I’m trying to disengage a bomb, and I don’t know which wire to cut.
The sweat is dripping down my back. If I cut the wrong one, say the wrong thing, she’s going to detonate, and I’ll have a war on my hands.
“You used to talk to me, sis. Remember? You used to tell me when shit was bothering you. Now, you won’t even answer my texts.”
Her eyes finally flick up, and I’m caught off guard by how heartstoppingly beautiful they are. Goddamn, I never took notice before. I always thought they were hazel like her mom’s, but they’re almost gray. Gray with flecks of gold, blue, and green. They’re gorgeous. And filled with sadness.
“You left, Vale. Don’t you think it’s a little late to want to play the role of the concerned big brother?”
“I’ve always been concerned, Wyn. Why do you think I send you texts all the time checking in? You just rarely answer them.”
Her eyes drop back down, fidgeting with that same frayed spot.
Pretty soon it will be ripped so wide her thigh will be exposed.
The seconds keep ticking by and I wait for her to say something.
To give me an explanation as to why she’s cut me out of her life, but she keeps playing with her jeans, leaving me to sweat.
Finally, her fingers stop, and her eyes snap back up. There’s no longer sadness within those gray irises, but a resolve.
“I need to get started on my work.” She shifts forward, reaching for her bag, and then pulls out her laptop.
It’s clear that she’s done with this conversation, and I’m not going to get more out of her.
If she were anyone else, I’d demand she finish the conversation, but it’s Wyn. And I don’t want to become her enemy.
Maybe Shayna could give me a female perspective and tell me how I should handle this, because I’m at a complete loss.
“I’ll let you work for now, but at some point, we’re going to finish this conversation. While you study, I’ll go grab us some food. Are you in the mood for pizza? I’ll get you pineapple and black olive.”
It’s the most disgusting combination, but I know it’s her favorite.
“I’m okay.”
Her eyes return to her screen, and then she’s back to ignoring me.
It’s like the room has just frozen over.
When Wyn doesn’t want pizza, you know she’s mad.
She can be mad at me if she wants, but at least I’ll know she’s safe.
The guys who were serving her at the bar could’ve slipped her something. She’s lucky they didn’t.