Page 29 of Claimed By my Stepbrother
“Brown butter pasta with orange zest cream sauce and prawns. I saw it on the new season ofTop Chefand just had to try it.
I sit on a stool at the island, watching her move around the kitchen like she’s lived here her whole life.
We get lost in conversation as she grabs ingredients for a fresh green salad, slicing, dicing, and mincing like chefs I’ve seen on TV.
“Grab some butter and that cast iron skillet, and we’ll fry up some crispy corn fritters,” Mom says, smiling. I hop off the stool to do her bidding, eager for one of my favorite childhood foods.
As I’m dropping the butter into the skillet, the front door slams shut, echoing through the cavernous first floor of the penthouse. Shoes click against the marble floor, and Rowan strolls into the kitchen, his trademark scowl plastered on his face.
Mom looks at me cautiously, before moving toward him, handing him a glass of amber liquid I didn’t see her prepare.
“How was your day, honey?” she asks sweetly.
“Just another day in paradise working for big brother,” he scoffs bitterly around a deep drink of bourbon.
“Did you quit your job yet?” His question catches me off guard, and I look at Mom, confused.
“I will when I go in for my shift tomorrow,” she tells him hesitantly.
“Wait. What? Why would you quit? You love your job, Mom.” Rowan turns to look at me, eyes widening as if he didn’t realize I’ve been here the whole time.
“It’s time for her to retire. I’m sick of all those guys mooning at her every day. And, I need her here with me.”
“You can’t be serious.” Mom seems resigned to Rowan’s demand, and I can’t help but wonder what other sacrifices she’s had to make in their short marriage to keep him happy.
“I’m deadly serious,” he growls at me, turning away dismissively. “I told you to do it today, Emilia. How hard is it to follow one small instruction?” He advances on Mom, but she backs away quickly, moving to the other side of the island.
He continues around to her side, standing between Mom and me. “What do I have to do to make you listen? Huh?”
“I’m—I’m s-sorry, Rowan.” Mom is leaning back away from him, turning her side to face him, cowering. Actually cowering from this asshole.
“You’re going to be sorry,” he warns as he violently yanks on her and pushes her back, throwing her against the refrigerator. She shrieks in pain, crumpling to the floor.
My instincts take over, and I reach for the nearest thing I can use as a weapon. Grabbing the hot pan of butter from the stove, I slam it into the back of his skull as melted butter splatters all over the kitchen.
His limp body falls to the floor, and I rush over to mom.
“Are you okay?” I ask, gently skimming my fingers over her head, praying I don’t find blood.
“I—I’m… yeah. Yes, I’m fine. I think—I think I’m just in shock,” she says disoriented. “I never thought he’d actually hurt me,” she says quietly, her bottom lip quivering uncontrollably.
“Mom,” I say, trying to get her to focus on me. “Mom, please. We need to get out of here. I’m going to text Knox. We can wait for him at his place,” I tell her, hoping Knox is, indeed, able to come home soon. I know his history with his father, and there’s no way the man I love will allow this to go unpunished.
I pull Mom up to standing, helping to steady her when she lists to the left. Looking down, I see that one of her heels fell off when she careened into the refrigerator. Bending down, I grab it and help her step back into it before we slowly make our way to the front door.
“I’ll be right back, Mom,” I say, helping her hold onto the entry table. I dart back into the kitchen, keeping an eye on the unconscious asshole lying in a puddle of cooling butter in front of the sink, watching for any signs that he’s waking up.
I grab the skillet off the floor before moving to turn off the burner on the stove. I wouldn’t mind Rowan’s death being ruled an accidental gas leak, but I don’t want to destroy the casino just to end him.
I nudge his leg with the toe of my shoe, ready to swing the skillet at his head again should he awaken, but when only his chest rises and falls, I grow confident. Working quickly, I lean down and remove his watch, taking it with me, so he won’t be able to leave the penthouse.
Chapter fifteen
Fame
Knox
ThemessagefromSirenanearly stopped my heart. She’s supposed to be safe, but any close proximity to Rowan poses a threat.
