My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110

My jaw tightened slightly. My eyes moved once more before I forced them back up.

Stepsister.

I repeated the word internally, a desperate mantra meant to act as a fire extinguisher for the gasoline pouring through my veins. It was supposed to fix the memory of her legs wrapped around my waist in that dream.

It didn’t work. It didn’t do a damn thing.

Dante leaned closer to her, already explaining the rules like he was recruiting her into something/serious, “It’s simple,” he said. “You lie. You accuse. You survive. Try not to be an idiot.”

“She’s not an idiot,” Jewel said quietly.

Dante grinned, “We’ll see.”

My focus stayed on her. Her lips looked slightly swollen, flushed and bruised-looking, as if she’d spent the evening being kissed hard.

The thought felt like a punch to the solar plexus. I cut it off. Don’t go there, Raphael…

Hazel leaned back slightly in her chair, watching her daughters with a smile, leaning into my Dad. Jules had already moved closer, practically vibrating with excitement, whispering something into Gianna’s ear that made her roll her eyes faintly.

“Alright,” Vincenzo said calmly, pulling the room back together, “Enough talking. Start.”

Cards shifted and the game finally began.

Gianna hesitated for half a second before picking up her role card, her fingers brushing the edge carefully, like she was making sure she didn’t miss anything.

Dante leaned closer immediately, trying to peek. “If you’re mafia, I swear to God-”

She shoved his face away lightly, “Stop.”

Vincenzo nodded once, “Night phase.”

Every head dropped. I closed my eyes, but it didn’t help. In the darkness behind my eyelids, I didn’t see the game. I saw the garage. I saw the bike. I felt the phantom weight of her grinding into my lap.

When the room came back to life, Gianna’s eyes were already moving.

“Someone’s dead,” Adriano announced, way too pleased with himself.

“Why do you sound happy?” Madeleine whispered, horrified.

“Because I’m alive,” he shot back, “That’s all that matters.”

“Who?” Claire asked, bouncing Killian lightly like this was some kind of bedtime story.

Adriano pointed across the circle, “Silvio.”

Silvio blinked, “Excuse me?”

“You’re dead,” Dante said helpfully. “Try not to take it personally.”

1/3

+15 Banys

“I always take things personally,” Silvio muttered, leaning back dramatically. “This is targeted.”

“Discussion,” Vincenzo said.

“It’s him,” Dante said immediately, pointing at Luca, “He looks guilty.”

“I always look like this,” Luca replied flatly.

“Exactly,” Dante snapped. “Suspicious.”

“Your logic is broken,” Luca said.

“Your face is broken,” Dante shot back.

“Focus,” Vincenzo cut in, not raising his voice.

Gianna leaned forward slightly, her fingers tightening around her card. Her eyes moved from one person to to

another, quick, calculating. Then she pointed at me.

“Raphael,” Madeleine whispered apologetically.

2/3

Then, Gianna spoke, “Raphael.”

+15 Banus

We locked eyes for a second too long. I could see the pulse jumping in her neck, and all I could think about was putting my mouth right there. I wondered if she was doing this because I’d cut her pay… if this was her petty way of getting back at me.

“Majority,” Vincenzo said calmly, “Raphael.”

A few people let out noises of victory like they had just accomplished something real.

I leaned back slightly, watching her, “Confident,” I said.

“You’re out,” she replied.

I tilted my head once, “We’ll see.”

Claire nodded, “Reveal.”

I flipped my card over.

Civilian.

The room exploded.

“OH SHIT-”

Dante shot up like he’d been electrocuted. “You got him wrong!”

Gianna’s eyes widened, a flash of genuine shock crossing her face before her lips pressed into a thin, tight line. She looked like she wanted to reach across the room and strangle me.

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