Beautiful Brute (Court University 3)

“I’m so happy for him,” she continued nodding, then looked at me. “You’ll take good care of your stepbrother, won’t you?”

My stepbrother.

I wanted to gag where I stood, but I told her I would. Of course, I would. I’d do it for Dad. He was happy. I knew that.

Even still, I couldn’t stop the nausea. Especially when Jaxen made it into my airspace. I caught a whiff of him, and he was only at the back of the car, Dad helping him load his bag. The distinct smells of tea tree and various spices, a bodywash or an aftershave, and I remembered it well.

I’d bathed in it when he’d fucked me.

Unable to even get close, I stayed on my side of the car. Dad and Jaxen exchanged a few words at the back, and whatever they were caused Dad to smile. Immediately, Dad reached for him, a hug. They’d done that when Jaxen arrived so I hadn’t been surprised.

But Jaxen hadn’t cringed the first time.

Just a glimmer of it, a clear and visual shift of his features. It’d been like he was pained with the touch, but just as quickly, he schooled his features. The hug had been brief, but right after, Jaxen was putting on the aviator shades he had clipped to his shirt. Suddenly, those green eyes were gone and any evidence of what I’d seen wiped away.

But I’d definitely seen it.

I didn’t know what to make of that, but said nothing, my mom giving me a hug, then my dad. Dad let go. “Safe trip then. Okay, sweetheart?”

I nodded, noticing Jaxen head to the other side of the car. He kept distance, placing his thick arms on the top. He smiled. “I can drive too if you wanna relax, Cleo. I don’t mind.”

He kept doing that, offering things either to me or anyone else there to listen. I obviously didn’t trust him and no way in hell would he be driving my baby.

“I’m good,” I said, schooling my features. I faced my dad. “And we’ll be safe.”

“How I’ll miss you, baby.” Another hug from Mom. Letting go, she lifted a hand to Jax. “And it was so nice meeting you, Jaxen.”

“Likewise, Mrs. Fairchild,” he said, nothing but a cool smile on his lips. He hiked it higher. “And Cleo and I will be perfectly safe. I’ll look out for her.”

I was sure he would…

The bastard.

He really had me turning into someone I wasn’t, thinking so negatively. I just kept getting the feeling like he was waiting, absolutely simmering to do something and cause chaos. He had ample opportunity to during our drive, and I hoped he wouldn’t try something since I’d be driving a two-ton vehicle with him in the passenger seat. This could be wishful thinking, of course, but the hope was all I had.

It really was.

This was my reality, and I had to get used to the fact that I had an insane person for a stepbrother. Dad opened the car for me, and after getting in, I gave him another hug through the window.

“Thank you again,” he said before giving me a kiss atop the head. He pulled back. “And let me know if you need anything, all right?”

“Okay.”

“And you too, son,” Dad said, Jaxen getting in the car too. His huge form filled up the whole right side, and I was choking on his scent by the time he closed the door. He smelled like boy, male.

God.

Jax hunkered to see Dad. “Will do. I promise you won’t have to worry about me.”

God, he really was good at that. Putting on the charm and probably just as good at something else.

That something being breaking promises.

*

“Think we can change the station to something a little more, um, secular?” Jax stated on the road.

I’d been driving all of five minutes.