Page 17 of Rebel

A gasp escaped me. The sharp sting had been sudden and unexpected. I gazed up at him like a deer in the headlights, speechless and shaken.

Before I could react, my brother’s voice rang out.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing to my sister?”

This was the last thing I needed. I couldn’t have been more appalled. I expected Rebel to let go and back off. He did no such thing.

He looked over at my brother who stood near the back of my car, watching us with growing fury. “Whatever the fuck I want. Not that it’s any business of yours.”

“It is now,” Chase hissed.

He grabbed Rebel’s shirt, jerking him away from me. I tensed. I didn’t trust Rebel not to do something dirty and underhanded.

Rebel eyed up my brother. Cool and unruffled, he said, “You look like a healthy guy. How are your kidneys? Liver?”

Confused, Chase frowned. “What the fuck are you talking about? You need to stay away from my sister, asshole. I won’t tell you again.”

Alarmed by Rebel’s questions, I shoved away from the car, pushing between them. “Okay, Chase. Thank you, but I don’t need your brotherly protection right now. I can take care of myself. Go home.”

“Get in your car and leave first,” Chase insisted, his glare locked on Rebel. “I don’t trust this dick.”

“Smart,” Rebel quipped. “You shouldn’t. You’d lose your mind if you knew what I plan to do to her.”

Chase’s fist flew, nailing Rebel in the jaw. Rebel stumbled back, rubbing his chin with a grin. Absolutely psychotic.

“Hit me all you want.” Raising a hand, Rebel invited more. “It won’t change anything.”

As Chase moved to swing again, I grabbed his arm. “Stop it. Mom will lose her shit if you beat up the neighbor. He’s not worth it, Chase. Come on, let’s go home.”

Satisfied with the discord he’d achieved, Rebel sauntered away, pausing to say, “See you on Saturday. Can’t wait.”

Chase watched him go, his dark eyes flashing with anger. “What the hell is wrong with that guy? Does Mom know he’s so unhinged?”

“He just wants to get you worked up. Don’t give him what he wants. I’ll see you at home.” I got into my car and started the engine, sucking in deep breaths to calm the adrenaline.

I waited until Chase went to his own car further down the lot before driving away. Clutching the wheel tight, I fumed all the way home. Rebel Kane was a supreme shit disturber. Living next door to him was going to make me crazy.

CHAPTER TEN

REBEL

Nothing sucked more than being dragged to the neighbor’s house for dinner. Under normal circumstances. This time I was more than happy to go. I couldn’t wait to drive Storm crazy.

Her mom opened the door with a beaming smile. She ushered us inside, welcoming us like my parents were old friends. My mom ate it up. She’d always been the friendly type. More so than my father who grunted a hello and ignored the warning glare my mother shot him.

Diane brought us through the house to the backyard. Her husband, Larry, stood near the grill with a beer in one hand. My dad immediately gravitated over to him. Nothing two men could bond over like amicable small talk and beer.

“It’s so nice to have you over,” Diane gushed, offering us drinks and snacks. She’d made a nice spread on the patio table. “Please, help yourselves to anything. The burgers should be ready in twenty minutes or so. Larry is getting started. Can I do anything for anyone?”

“Don’t overexert yourself, Diane,” Mom admonished with a friendly wave of her hand. “We’re fine. You’ve done more than enough.”

My gaze landed on Storm who sat at the table, not at all trying to hide her utter disdain at the sight of me. In shorts and a simple tank top, she still looked good enough to eat. I could hardly wait.

Her brother did a better job at schooling his features. Although I saw in his eyes how badly he wanted to kill me. Trying to protect his sister. Cute. It would take a lot more than that to chase me away.

I took a seat across from Storm, politely accepting the lemonade her mom offered. Since sitting there in awkward silence might tip off our parents to the strange relationship we’d formed, I tried to initiate conversation.

“Are you going to the party later tonight?” I asked, coolly watching Storm. “The one at the graveyard.”

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