‘You might as well tell her now. She needs to be prepared.' Cancer sipped her drink as she moved her sunglasses to her head.
‘Okay,' I said, not minding when Kerry threaded her fingers through mine. ‘You see-'
‘Don't do it! If you become a part of our family, you'll never get rid of us. Trust me, you don't want to go out with him … I mean, look at him!' Aries had crept up from behind.
Leo tackled Aries to the ground right next to us.
‘He is right,' I said, raising my eyebrows.
Kerry laughed and punched me on the arm.
‘Do I really have a choice?'
She flicked her hair over her shoulder as she looked up at me. Her blue eyes twinkled, which made me like her even more. She wanted me. I could see it.
‘No … unfortunately for you, you don't have a choice,' Leo said, sitting on our strongest brother.
‘Are they always like this?' Kerry asked Cancer.
Natalie plopped herself down next to the girls and took a swig of lager. ‘Yep. You'll get used to it.'
I smiled at my family. I was a part of them for once. I blended in with the group, instead of being an outsider.
///
‘Anyway! Fortunately for you, Kerry, you don't have a choice. Leo is right. But who can blame you for wanting this?' I gestured to myself.
All three girls shook their heads.
‘So … ?' Kerry said.
‘What?'
She pinched the skin on my arm. I yelped, causing the men to stop fighting.
‘Oh, just get on with it!' Aries barked.
I swallowed, hoping Kerry wasn't about to run screaming.
‘Okay. You,' I pointed at her. ‘Me … ' My hand spun to point at me. ‘Soulmates,' I started. ‘Twelve of us are not real brothers and sisters,' I said, pointing at my siblings. ‘We have an enemy, trying to stop us from getting with our soulmates. I implanted him with a tracking chip so we can keep an eye on him. What can I say? I'm a genius.'
Kerry's mouth was hanging open and her forehead was creased.
‘You're a target. Although, we're uniting now, so you should be safe. Now we just need to help the other nine to find their soulmates and BAM!' I shouted, causing her to jump. ‘We'll be free.'
Cancer giggled. Natalie tutted. Aries and Leo jumped up, ready for a proper game of football.
‘See, it's simple,' I said, leaning over and giving Kerry a quick kiss on the mouth before I joined my brothers on the pitch.
It really was that simple. Kerry stared after me. My soulmate. Although, a tiny part of my brain denied it. She was hot. We were good together. Wasn't that enough? Why did we need a label? We didn't.
‘Taurus!' Cancer shouted.
I turned back to them but jogged on my feet.
‘You achieved the goal you set out to accomplish for Sophie!'
I glanced at Kerry. She beamed at me as she clapped along with my siblings. The round of applause was stupid. I rolled my eyes and went after the ball.
It wasn't over. We hadn't defeated Nick yet. He was still out there, plotting our demise and planning his revenge. He had no idea that we knew exactly where he was at any given moment. He would try to make sure that we didn't fall in love.
For me, it was too late. Kerry had crept under my skin. She wasn't going anywhere. We would carry on with the battle. We would win the war.
*
Gemini is here!
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The pounding on the front door woke me. My room was quite far back from the kitchen. Whoever was knocking would break down the door if I didn't answer.
‘All right, I'm coming!' I shouted.
Stumbling as I rubbed my eyes, I made my way through the kitchen and to the front door. I had always wondered why the designer of the building would put the front door in the kitchen.
‘What?' I barked, yanking the door open.
‘Gemini. Thought I would check up on you.'
Liam stood on the top step. Sunglasses covered his eyes. His blue suit was pristine in the midday sun. I stepped onto the top step, pulling the door behind me. I didn't want him in my home. How did he even know where I lived?
‘I've still got three days,' I said, running my hand down my stomach.
I hadn't had a chance to put on a top. My suit trousers hung on my hips.
‘Well … I got bored of waiting.' Liam clicked his fingers and two men came around the bottom of the steps. They rushed up them, pushing me into the door. It fell open where I hadn't closed it properly. They dragged me into the kitchen and over to the table. Pulling out a chair, one of them placed me in it.
‘I have some of the money,' I said.
‘How much?'
He gestured for someone to follow him into the house. When Athena came through the door, he closed it behind her.
‘Four thousand.'
Liam walked over to me, undoing the buttons on his cuffs as he did. His henchmen stood either side of me with their arms folded across their chest.
‘I hear you made a move on my woman. Is that true?'
My gaze shot to Athena. She watched Liam's back, refusing to glance past him.
‘No I didn't,' I replied, trying to remember if I had.
All I did was put my hand on her cheek. If that was making a move, I was in trouble with a lot of women's partners.
‘Why would she lie to me?' He gestured behind him.
Athena's heels wobbled as she crossed her legs at the ankle. She lifted her arms to fold them across her chest. The sleeve on her dress moved and I caught sight of a dark bruise that ringed her wrist.
‘Okay … I did-'
His fist connected with my jaw. My head thrust to the side. The force sent a bolt of pain through my brain.
‘I know she's beautiful but she's mine. Now, why would you try it on with her?' Liam rubbed his knuckles.
My gaze managed to capture hers as she glanced at me. The regret that flashed through her eyes was wiped away when Liam looked over his shoulder at her. If I denied what she had told him, he would hurt her even more. I didn't know how I had become involved with their love affair but I couldn't be the reason she had bruises.
///
‘I couldn't help myself.'
Liam shook his head. I had never taken the time to study him in the daylight. He was big but not as tall as me. His shoulders were broad. His henchmen were twice his size. He was a gangster. A man that intimidated others with power and money.
‘You never mess with my stuff!'
He came in close and put his fist in my face. I didn't say anything. I kept completely still, not wanting to provoke an attack. I was weak. The rage burnt hot in my stomach, making me feel sick. The injustice was a lot to swallow but I would do it for her. Athena.
‘Is that what she is?' I couldn't help myself. ‘Stuff?'
Maybe she would see him for what he was and get away somehow. No woman should ever be treated the way she was by him. No matter who they were.
His other fist flew into my cheek. I spat blood as my lip split open. The taste of metallic covered my tongue as I tried to swallow it.
‘You're lucky that I'm in a good mood today. You'd be dead by now if I wasn't. I like your guts, young man. You remind me of me when I was your age. One word of warning, though. Don't try to beat the old boys at their own game.'
Liam did up the buttons on his cuffs and turned to leave. Athena blinked up at him when he looked down at her. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. He bent his head and kissed her cheek. Her eyes connected with mine over his shoulder. She mouthed thank you as the two bullies walked past them.
‘You still have three days to get the rest of my money. Come to my home when you have it.'
He chucked a business card on the floor before dragging Athena out of the front door.