Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

“But what?”

“Knox’s dad has to give the okay.”

I froze. “Seriously?”

Anson nodded. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

“I’m aware, but you aren’t a part of Mason’s community.”

A muscle in his cheek ticked. “My sperm donor was.”

“What?” The word came out in a hushed whisper. “Anson, was he there today?”

“No, he’s long gone. But he tied me to them, and that’s complicated for me.”

Understatement of the century. “Do they want you to come live there or something?”

“They’d like me to, but for now, they aren’t putting too much pressure on me.”

I laid a hand above Anson’s knee. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. You know that, right?”

“It’s-”

“Complicated. I know, but they don’t get to dictate your life.”

Anson’s lips twitched. “You gonna take them on for me?”

“Hey, I took a self–defense class once. I can kick some serious ass if I want to.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Good.”

Anson pulled to a stop in front of my house.

“Are you going to be okay by yourself tonight?”

He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m used to being alone, Ro.”

I threw my arms around him, burrowing into his chest. “I don’t want you to be alone.”

Anson’s fingers tangled in my hair. “It’s not like it used to be. I don’t feel lonely. You changed that.”

My breathing hitched as I pulled back, our faces so close now. I wanted to close the distance, to know what it would be like to drown in those lips. The light over my front door flashed on, and I jolted. “I better go.”

“Text me later, and let me know how it goes with your mom?”

“Sure.” I climbed out of the Rover and jogged up the front steps. I tried the door, and it was unlocked. As I stepped inside, a voice called out from the kitchen.

43.89

Chapter 50

“Come in here now, Senna.”

My stomach dropped at my mom’s hard tone, but I forced myself to move in the direction of her voice. “I’m really sorry, I completely lost track

of time and.”

My voice cut off as I rounded the corner and took in my mother’s face. Rage was the only word to describe it. Hot fury burning through her eyes. “You’re grounded. School and home for one month. That’s it.”

Her words slurred a bit around the edges, and I took in the tall glass of clear liquid in front of her at the kitchen table.

“Mom-”

“Don’t call me that,” she hissed. “I’m not your mother. I’m the woman who’s stuck with you for another year.”

I swallowed down the burn that flamed to life at her words.

She pushed to her feet, legs trembling slightly as she did. “You will no longer bother my husband while he is working. I see what you’re doing, trying to create problems for us, to drive a wedge in there, but it won’t work.”

“I was worried about you-”

“Shut up!” she screamed. “My life is none of your business. If you don’t want to be cast out on the street when you turn eighteen, you’ll do what you’re told and not create any more problems for me.”

My temper lit at her accusation. “You’re the one creating the problems. Popping pills and drinking yourself under the table. I was trying to help because I was worried about you!” Except it wasn’t her that I was worried about. It was the mother I used to know. The one who no longer existed. I wanted her back so badly it felt like claws digging into my heart. “This would break Lacey’s heart if she could see you right now.”

“Don’t you say my daughter’s name!” Mom picked up her glass and hurled it at me.

It happened in slow motion. The heavy, crystal cylinder hurtling towards my head. I tried to move, to duck, but the shock was too strong. The glass hit the wall next to my head, shattering. Shards splintered, and I cried out as several sliced my skin. My hand flew to my face.

Mom stood there, blinking rapidly, as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just done. “Go to your room.”

The alcohol from the glass burned my cuts, as I held my hand to my face. I didn’t wait for any other orders, I ran for the stairs. My whole body trembled as I slammed the door to my room. I shoved my desk in front of the door, not willing to risk her coming back for another piece of me.

Once it was in place, I stepped back. Blood smeared the surface of the desk, and my shaking intensified. My phone began ringing in my purse. I ignored it, letting the purse fall from my shoulder, and moved to the bathroom.

I froze as I took in my reflection. Three slices across my cheek were oozing blood that tracked down my neck, to beneath my shirt. A sob tore free from my chest.

My phone started ringing again.

I picked up a washcloth as more sobs came, running cold water over the cloth. I cried out as I pressed the fabric to my cheek. But after the worst of the sting faded, the coolness of the water was a balm to my cuts.

(0)

600