STEVE
I stormed into the car, slamming the door hard enough to make the frame rattle. Hindley rushed after me, barely making it inside before I floored the accelerator and shot down the road.
Anger burned through my veins, hot and uncontrollable. My hands tightened around the steering wheel as I drove faster than I should have, my knuckles whitening with every second. I slammed my palm against the wheel repeatedly, as if I could beat the rage out of my system.
"Hey! Are you crazy?" Hindley yelled. "Do you have a death wish? Because I'm not ready to die yet—I still have plenty of girls to enjoy!"
I ignored him and kept driving until he grabbed my arm.
"Stop the damn car!"
I slammed the brakes and came to a halt, obeying him like he was my elder or something. The realization made my jaw tighten—I hated how easily he'd pulled me back.
I shot him an irritated look.
He turned fully toward me, studying my face like he was piecing something together.
"Alright," he said slowly. "What's really going on with you? Because you didn't look this angry until Bryan introduced that girl as his girlfriend."
I cut him off instantly.
"She's not his girlfriend."
Hindley raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
I clenched my fist.
"What I mean is—Cali was never his to begin with."
Silence fell between us.
"Wait," Hindley said carefully. "Are you saying you and her… kept in touch after high school?"
The mention of high school twisted something ugly inside me.
"No," I replied sharply. "But she's mine. She has always been mine."
My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I slammed my fist against it again. Hindley cursed under his breath, clearly regretting getting into the car with me.
"Hey," he muttered, "the steering wheel didn't offend you. If you have issues with Bryan, then go settle it with him."
I scoffed and started the car again, this time driving at a more reasonable speed. Hindley kept muttering nonsense beside me, and all I could think about was how fast I wanted to drop him off.
"Why didn't you ask her out back then," Hindley suddenly asked, "if you liked her so much?"
I laughed bitterly.
"That's a story for another day."
I pulled up in front of Hindley's mansion and didn't bother cutting the engine.
He stepped out, grumbling, clearly annoyed that I hadn't answered his question. I waved briefly and sped off before he could say another word. I already knew he'd bring it up again.
Bryan.
That bastard had no idea what he was playing with.
How dare he lay his hands on my woman? Men like him didn't keep women—they used them and threw them away when they got bored. I wasn't going to let Cali become another one of his disposable toys.
No.
Not when I still had a say.
I smiled slowly as an idea formed.
I know exactly who to call.
Bryan wouldn't see this coming. When the blow landed, it would hit hard.
I dialed the number, my lips curling into a smirk. She picked up almost immediately.
"Long time, sis," I said casually. "Just checking on you."
She hissed. "What do you want, Steve? You don't call unless you need something."
I chuckled. She knew me too well.
"That's not how you greet your twin, is it?" I teased, deliberately slowing my tone. I hated sounding impatient.
"Whatever," she snapped. "Get to the point."
"Straight to business," I said lightly. "I like that about you."
We talked for a long time—longer than I expected. It took persuasion, charm, and a little manipulation, but by the time the call ended, she had agreed.
Perfect.
Now I could sleep peacefully.
Cali and Bryan wouldn't last. Not under my watch.
I was the only man who should stand beside her. The only one allowed close enough to touch her world.
As I changed into my pajamas and sat before my laptop, my smile deepened.
Tomorrow, the real game would begin.
And Bryan?
He wouldn't even realize he was already losing.