Chapter 9

KASMINE.

I was terrified. The silence in the car was unbearable.

I sat stiffly in the back seat, my hands clenched into fists on my lap as I stared out of the window.

Kester was seated beside me, leaning back with his hands casually resting on his thighs, his jaw tight, and his expression carved from stone.

He hadn't said a word to me since he saw me with Jake. In fact, as soon as I saw him, he quietly walked away.

I least expected him in my school. I never knew he had something important to take care of there. I wouldn't have sat down in plain sight with Jake.

He had sent June home, and the poor girl couldn't even complain. She took it in good fate, promising to return next weekend.

Sometimes I wonder what she was still doing with a douchebag like my brother.

His silence was worse than anger, and it made my skin crawl. I dared a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some clue as to what he was thinking, but his face betrayed nothing.

The driver navigated the convoy through the city streets that led to Kester's estate. My nerves frayed.

Say something, Kasmine. Explain yourself. I kept chanting to myself.

But no. I couldn't. Explaining myself would make me seem guilty. And I wasn't guilty of anything… was I?

I swallowed hard; my gaze fixed firmly on the passing scenery. My palms were sweaty, my heart pounding. The quiet was maddening, but I couldn't bring myself to speak first. I knew Kester. If I said the wrong thing, his fury would ignite.

The car pulled into the driveway, and the convoy came to a smooth stop in front of the house. My chest tightened as I stared at the familiar building. I didn't want to go inside. The walls of that house would trap me with Kester, with whatever punishment he was silently preparing.

The driver opened the door, and Kester stepped out first. I followed, my legs feeling like lead as I climbed out and made my way up the stairs.

Kester paused by his door, pulling out his key to unlock it. I didn't wait for him to say anything—he hadn't so far, so why would he start now? I continued walking toward my room, but before I could take another step, I felt his strong hand clamping around my arm.

I barely had time to gasp before he yanked me backward with a force that sent me stumbling into him. His grip was like iron, his fingers digging into my skin as he dragged me into his room.

"Kester!" I managed to choke out, but he didn't respond.

The door slammed shut behind us. My back hit the wall, his towering frame blocking any escape. His face was inches from mine now, his forest-green eyes burning with an intensity that stole my breath.

"What were you doing frolicking around with that dimwit?" he hissed, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I swallowed, my heart hammering against my ribcage. "I wasn't doing anything. Jake is—"

"Don't!" he snapped, his tone biting enough to make me flinch. "That's his name, huh?" He let out a small laugh, his face coming closer to mine. I could feel his breath so hot against my skin. My heart rate accelerated.

"Please, Kester... He's just a friend." My voice came out weak and teary. I realized I had messed up by mentioning Jake's name. I know what Kester was capable of. I didn't want him to harm Jake in any way.

His lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. "Is that what you call holding hands under a tree? Friendship?"

I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "Yes, because that's exactly what it was! You're blowing this out of proportion!"

Jake's words came replaying in my head. I couldn't let Kester keep controlling me this way.

Kester's hand slammed against the wall beside my head, and I jumped. His closeness was suffocating me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that left no room for escape.

"I warned you, didn't I?" he growled in a low and dangerous voice. "I told you to stay away from anyone until you find your mate."

"You don't get to control me like this!" I shot back, my voice rising despite the fear tightening my chest. "I'm not a child, Kester!"

His cold gaze raked over me, making my skin crawl, "You're not a child, Kasmine?" he repeated in a low, biting whisper. "Is that what Jake taught you? To rebel against me?"

Realization hit me hard. He was looking for every means to find a reason to harm Jake. "No, Kester, it's not like that," I stammered, shaking my head desperately as a stubborn tear slid down my cheek.

But he wasn't listening. His head tilted slightly, and a mirthless smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. It wasn't amusement. No, it was something far more sinister. "Don't lie to me, Kasmine. You've been taking lessons from Jake," he said softly, almost tenderly, but his eyes burned with a feral intensity that made my stomach twist.

"Kester, please," I whispered, trembling. "Jake didn't—"

His smirk faded, replaced by an expression that sent ice through my veins. "You'll never see him again," he declared coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion as though he were simply stating a fact.

I felt the blood drain from my face. "What? No, Kester, you can't—"

"I can," he cut me off, "And I will." He leaned in closer, his lips dangerously close to my ear. "I'll make sure Jake is taken care of."

The way he said it made bile rise in my throat. I knew what he meant. He didn't have to spell it out. Jake's life was in danger, and it was my fault.

"No!" I cried. Without thinking, I dropped to my knees, my hands clutching the front of his shirt as I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. "Kester, please! Don't hurt him. Please, I'm begging you!"

His eyes flickered with something I couldn't name, a shadow of emotion that was gone as quickly as it appeared. He didn't move, didn't even flinch, as I knelt there before him, reduced to pleading.

"Kester, I swear," I choked out, my voice shaking. "We're just friends. There's nothing else. Please believe me. Please don't hurt him. I'll do anything—anything you want—but don't hurt Jake."

He crouched before me, his gaze meeting mine, and for a moment, I thought I had convinced him, but I was wrong.

His hand moved, his fingers brushing against my cheek, startling me.

The touch was featherlight, almost tender, but it made my skin crawl. His thumb lingered, tracing the curve of my jaw, and I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

What was he doing?

"You'll do anything I want?" he murmured, his voice low, almost thoughtful. His eyes, dark and unreadable, roamed over my face as though he were committing every detail to memory.

The way he asked the question made me want to take back my words. But I didn't. There is nothing he'd ask of me that would be impossible to do. He was my brother, after all. He wouldn't ask me to do something above my capacity.

"Y-Yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

A shadow of a smile crossed his lips, but it wasn't comforting. It was possessive. "Good," he said simply, his thumb still brushing my skin. "You owe me, then. In the near future, I'll return for what's mine. But, for now, you'll stay away from every man who isn't me."

I swallowed hard, nodding quickly without thinking about his words. "I will. I swear, Kester. Just… please don't hurt him."

His gaze lingered on me for what felt like an eternity, his fingers still grazing my cheek. His touch was soft, almost reverent, but it was wrong—so very, very wrong. I could feel his eyes devouring me, drinking in every tear, every shiver, every quiver of my lips.

And yet he said nothing.

Finally, he straightened, pulling his hand away and leaving me cold and trembling on the floor. "Get up and go to your room."