Stepbrother's Debt(2)

Pushing her hair back, Paige leaned against the falling down car just knowing her days of being close to her mother were numbered. Anthony was about to take control of everything.

The one bad thing about her mother was her flighty attitude. Her father, Richard—and it was hard to think his name as it hurt too much—had abandoned them, and now Sharon was picking up the pieces. She’d known it would only be a matter of time before her mother found someone else.

She watched the scene before her and froze when she felt a gaze on her. Paige was used to being overlooked. Her weight and general lack of conformity made her an easy target for the girls at school.

Great. Did she just inherit a new stepsister who was one of the stuck up bitches at school? Glancing over her shoulder, Paige froze. She recognized the guy who had just come from under a car. He wore a white vest and loose fitting jeans. Donnie Martinez was a living legend at the high school where she went. He had his own crowd of people, and no one dared invade that little space. He was older than she was by two years and would be leaving this year.

The rumors about him were rife, and she wasn’t an idiot. She’d listened to those rumors, and just by witnessing the sheer size of his home along with the six bodyguards, she knew all of those rumors to be true.

Holy fuck.

Her mother had just shacked up with one of, if not the, king of the fucking mafia. Paige averted her gaze, going back to her mother. Her life couldn’t have gotten any worse in that moment. No, please don’t let him be the son. Please let him be a worker or the car cleaner or something.

Sharon pulled away from Anthony long enough to beckon Paige over.

Taking slow steps, Paige did her best to look happy with her mother even though she was anything but.

“Anthony, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Paige.”

She smiled just like her mother asked her to.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Paige.”

“And you,” she said, doing her best not to give anything away.

I really don’t want to be here right now. Please, don’t be related to Donnie.

“Seeing as we’re doing the introductions, you’ll have to forgive my son’s attire. He likes messing around with his cars on the weekend. Donnie, come here.”

Donnie brushed past her going to his father’s side.

“I’d like you both to meet.”

Paige looked up only to immediately look down again. This was ridiculous if she couldn’t keep eye contact.

“I take it we’re going to be stepsiblings?” Donnie said.

His hand appeared in front of her face waiting to shake hers.

“We’re not related,” she said.

“Paige, don’t be rude. Of course you’re going to be stepsiblings. Now, be nice to Donnie. This has to be hard for him as well.”

Forcing herself to look up, she stared into his eyes as she took his hand. It was the first time she touched his hand, and she promised herself it would be the last time.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.

“Hey, don’t you both go to the same school?” Sharon said.

Donnie frowned, looking toward his father. “You do, son.”

“Okay, I didn’t know that.”

Paige’s checks heated at being a complete unknown, not that she cared. She’d rather be an unknown to him than on his radar.

I don’t care what anyone says. He’s the mafia.

She looked at the guards who were speaking into their radios.

“Let’s get you both inside,” Anthony said.

“Our bags.” Paige moved toward the car, hitting the trunk with her body weight so that it flipped up. She had to move back quickly, as otherwise she’d have gotten hit in the face. An arm banded around her waist, pulling her back.

“Be careful,” Donnie said, admonishing her as if she was a simple child.

“I’m fine.” She pulled out of his arms, grabbing a couple of the bags she packed. Paige didn’t have many things to her name, and she didn’t care about material things. Her father had hated them and preferred to make memories.

He’s not around to make any more memories.

She walked toward her mother, who was frowning. “Really, Paige, they have people to get our things.”

Shaking her head, she followed her mother inside. No one touched her things but her. The last thing she wanted was the wrong people looking through her stuff.

“Donnie, why don’t you show Paige to her room?” Anthony said.

“Sure.”

Turning toward Donnie, the supposed new stepbrother, she took a deep breath.

“After you,” he said.

Nodding, she made her way upstairs, holding her bags close to her.

“Do you want me to take one of those for you?”