Page 32 of The Stepbrother 2: Noah

“What in the fuck, Creed? I’m sitting right the fuck here!” Noah admonished.

Devon stood and took a step toward me, clenching his fists, his jaw ticking.

Noah sat up and tapped the gun on the table. “Don’t do that,” he drawled, sounding bored.

Devon snapped, “Are you threatening me?”

Noah chuckled. “No, I’m warning you that Florida is a stand-your-ground state. A person is justified in using or threatening to use force against another when they reasonably believe that it’s necessary to defend themselves or another against imminent unlawful force.” He quoted the law verbatim, I think, then continued before Devon could respond. “I really don’t want to leave DJ without a father, so I advise you to just go. You fumbled, you lost. Don’t make things worse than they already are. And if it makes you feel better, I never fucked her while you two were together. Only after, when she made me, though I really wanted to.” He taunted Devon and me with his words.

Devon’s eyes darted from mine to Noah’s, then to the gun, before he shouted, “This isn’t over.” Then he stomped to the front door, flung it open, and slammed it shut.

I stood. My eyes immediately went to Noah. “Why would you tell him that?”

He shrugged. “Why not? Eventually, everyone will know the entire story.”

“Then you pulled out a gun on him. You know his best friend is the Attorney General of Florida. He’s going to find a way to cause trouble for you now. You’re crazy.”

He nodded, setting down his bowl on the coffee table. He stood then picked up his gun and tucked it back into its holster before getting right up in my face. I took a step back, but he stepped forward, crowding me against the living room wall.

“I am crazy, you know this. What were the pretty words you used?” He tapped my chin before answering his own question. “Intrinsically flawed. But you said you liked me as I am.” He chuckled, then leaned in so close our breaths mingled. He surprised me by pressing a soft kiss to my lips, making my bodyreact. He was so annoying. I caught his bottom lip between my teeth and bit down until I tasted blood.

He reached between us and flicked my hardened nipple.

I let go.

“Bite me again, Creed, and I'm going to fuck you right here on this floor and make you sore for that shit you said about his brother,” he dared me, his gaze unwavering.

I believed him. “Whatever, Noah.” I sidestepped him, trying to leave. He wrapped his big hand around my arm, pulling me back to him.

“We still need to talk, Creed, and not about the bullshit of me signing over my parental rights.”

I rolled my eyes. “Then we have nothing to discuss.”

He nearly growled in my face. “Then I’m going to have to do something drastic.”

“What are you gonna do, Noah? Nothing.” I taunted. “Arms dealer, gun wielder, crazy sociopath. You’re all the, but in the end, you’re still also softy Noah. When I leave, you’ll let me be and leave me alone. You've already shown me that. Go find Ashley, impregnate her, and be happy.”

He opened his mouth to respond, just as the front door swung open. I used the distraction to pull away from him, slipping out of his grip.

Maine walked in, her eyes flickering between us. She must have sensed the tension, and maybe she even enjoyed it. It was just like her to come in and add fuel to an already burning fire.

"Why in the hell would you tell Devon that I'm pregnant?" I snapped, turning my attention to her before she even closed the door.

She gave me a blank look and shrugged. “Because you are. You did it on purpose, trying to ruin my life,” she accused, her tone dripping with resentment.

“What life, Maine?” I shouted. “You don’t have a job, no hobbies, and your son spends more time with our momma than with you. What life are you talking about?” My hands clenched into fists as the anger inside me surged, and before I could stop myself, I reached for a heavy bookend on the table.

Noah was on me in an instant, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me back before I could do something I might regret. He hoisted me off the floor, carrying me out of the main house and into the guest house where I’d been staying. Maine followed, her and I were yelling at each other the whole way. My mother came to the back door, her eyes widening as she took in the scene, but she didn’t say a word. She just shook her head and then retreated inside.

Noah dropped me onto the sofa, and I immediately jumped to my feet, ready to lunge at Maine if I had the chance.

“Sit down!” he roared, his face flushed with anger, the vein in his neck pulsing visibly. For a moment, I could have sworn he looked as close to losing it as I felt.

I sat down, reluctantly, but I kept my glare on him.

“Enough is enough,” he said, his tone hard as steel. “I get that you’re hurt, but you’re taking it out on everyone around you. You’re ready to attack your own sister with a blunt object while you’re pregnant. This has to stop.”

I clenched my fists, my frustration bubbling over. “I’ll stop when I get the hell away from all of you!”

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