Chapter 8

• She rose up, putting her completed Pot Noodle to one side and wiping the back of her hand over her mouth.
• She trotted down the steps to the street entrance and peeked through the peephole. Her breath became stuck in her throat. Alan was on the opposite side. And, unlike the previous day, when he was dressed casually, he was now dressed in what appeared to be a fireman's outfit.
• "Er, hello," she replied, opening the door slightly.
• "Can I come in?"
• "Why?"
• "I wanna see where my sister lives."
• "I'm a stepsister, okay, it's not like we actually share blood."
• "Maybe not, but you're part of the family, and I want to make sure you're doing okay."
• "Before my mother decided to marry your father, I was doing fine." There's no reason to believe that has changed."
• "Let me in." He raised his hand. Over his middle finger was a clothes hanger. The purple stuff underneath it is shielded by translucent acrylic. "I have your dress. In preparation for the wedding. You didn't appear to want to bother collecting it."
• "Oh no, I forgot yet again." Yes. "Please come in." She pushed open the door.
• "I suppose," he murmured as he entered the hall and filled the area. "Everyone's version of doing okay is different, right?"
• "I've got a home and a job and friends." Her heart rate increased. Coming here and judging her gave him a bloodied face.
• "I'm pleased to hear it." He regarded her pajamas with disdain. "Candy canes in June?"
• "They're comfy." She pointed to his tight navy-blue t-shirt with LFB emblazoned in small white letters on the front, as well as his dark thick pants and heavy-duty boots. "You come straight from work?"
• "Through the bridal gown shop, yeah." "It's been a busy day."
• "You better come up then." She turned and began up the steps.
• He followed her, and once inside her flat, he looked around. "So have you called your landlord again about the issues here?"
• "No, not yet."
• "Why not?"
• "I've been busy." She grabbed the gown and placed it on a hanger.
• "Too busy to sort out the serious shit in your life?"
• "Give me a break." She moved by him and sat down on the sofa. "I've been on my feet all day." She rubbed her soles while crossing her ankles and sticking her knees out to the sides.
• "So have I." He put his fists on his hips and gazed at her first, then at the empty Pot Noodle. "Was that your dinner?"
• She smirked. "What are you really doing here?"
• "Donny and I are concerned."
• "About what?"
• "You."
• "Give me a break." She raised her hands. "I don't need concerned big brothers."
• "You don't get a choice." He took a seat beside the window. "When we met you on Sunday, you didn't exactly paint a picture of someone living life to the full."
• "Now you listen to me." She pointed at him with her finger.
• He clenched his lips and lifted his brows.
• Blair had the impression that the finger was bothering him, so she waggled it some more. "I might not have a fancy job or a swish flat with river views, but I'm happy."
• He remained silent for a time before asking, "Who gave you the hickey?"
• "What?"
• "Didn't You hear the question? stop pretending you didn't."
• "It's none of your business."
• "I beg to differ."
• "Are you for real?"
• He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands dangling between them. "Let's get one thing straight, little sis: we're serious, and you're completely insane." Rails, we aim to get you back on so you don't walk through life like it's a goddamn rehearsal."
• "You have got a—"
• He raised his hand. "I haven't finished." His tone was abrasive. "It's clear to us that the lack of a consistent male figure in your life, such as a father or brother, has given you the wrong priorities." That is something we plan to fix. We desire for you, our sister, to be successful and to hold yourself with pride, elegance, and self-esteem." He motioned to her, then to the strewn-about chamber. "Which is not yet present but will be."
• "I lost my father when I was two, that's hardly my fault." A familiar knot in her stomach. It usually occurred when she was thinking about the men she couldn't remember but knew she loved. He was only a shadow, a name, and a few images she couldn't place.
• "I never said it was your fault. But your complete lack of effort to improve your circumstances irritates us."
• "I'm sure you'll get over it." She took a step forward. Alan's arrogant, condescending demeanor irritated her to no end. "I appreciate you picking up my outfit. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do."
• He, too, stood. He took a step around the low coffee table and got near. He tilted her face to his by pinching her chin between his thumb and index finger.
• His pupils were dilated, and a smudge of what seemed to be soot covered his right face. She spotted a glittering scar on his brow and a faint odour of ash and burning.
• "Blair," he called out quietly. "You might as well accept that things will change." We have family norms, which you will now have to follow since you will be a part of that family."
• "Standards?"
• "Yeah. For starters, there will be no more one-night stands."
• "Well, that's a relief, I thought you were going to say no more one-night stands." She laughed loudly.
• He lowered his face to hers, his nostrils flaring. "That is precisely what I mean. You're not the type of woman who will spread her legs for any faceless, nameless male simply to get off. You're our sister, so act accordingly."
• "And if I don't?" She clenched her teeth so tightly that she was afraid she'd fracture a crown. "What are you gonna do about it, bro?"
• "You really want to know?"
• She cocked her brow.
• He took a deep breath in. "You'll be over my knee, bare bottom bared, and I'll spank the hell out of your ass until you understand how serious I am,weare, about you shaping the hell up."
• He'd spoken with such conviction that her skin trembled and her buttocks tingled. "You wouldn't dare."
• He let go of her chin and stroked his fingers over her cheek, up to her ear, then twisted his fingers in her hair and tightened them, pulling on her roots.
• "You want to try me?"