Claimed by My Ex's Stepbrother

ling as she walked down the marble stairs. When she looked up,

than she had ever imagined. And when the time came, he would

called out. "I'l

the car door for him. He slid

realization crossing his face. "What h

n?" Tessa tried t

reaching up to tilt her face so he

ps, and the sting burned into he

he said quickly. "

he knew she was lying b

ul now that you're carry

ackwood," she

shoulder, and then his car d

ed to leave

a black sedan, the sunlight catching on hi

ays

standing-rigid, his jaw set-made her skin crawl. His arms hung at his sides, his f

ach step slow but deliberate, lik

e out thin and trembling.

ss his chest. "The real question is what's a cheap thing

ou know what, Grayson? That's e

rp. "Please. I'm here to see the manager of

"You and I are over. You made that clear when you made

arrowed. "W

Wh

meant something to him." He stepped cl

e turned to walk away, but his hand

e screamed.

me. Who

yanked, trying to break free, but his

e father, huh? So that's the man you've been spreading your le

nd her arm. His voice dropped to a low, venomous threat. "I

eet scraped against the pavement, her protests useless agains

the door handle, but it was alre

You think I'm just gonna let you get away wi

ed, her voice shaking d

. And lying throug

rted the engine. Tessa's stomach

on," he bit out. "One

k idea do you have

the road, one hand loose on the wheel, the

view, and her pulse sp

into the parking lot and killed the engin

is grip bruising her arm as he dragged her inside. Every ste

the bed, Grayson ripped t

man who raised

n, confusion written all over hi

. Your daughter is a filthy bit

came down, connecting

ng at him. He turned, slammed her into

rled, kicking over the tray table, sendin

ward him, but Grayson shoved her back again before landi

set with me-leave my dad

arked. "Shut the

, helping him sit up, but Gr

to stop and Tessa di

number flashing in her mind. She pressed call, her hear

od mansion. He barely stepped through the doors befor

e a home? We rarely see y

ood at the entrance like she ha

ounter, unbothered. "Last I checked,

stepped straight out of a magazine cover. The years hadn't dulle

ging my calls. Ag

I always know what you want to say

elf in work or women

ed. "Why

ad hit a nerve. She hated when

one of those women should've

s hair. He walked over to the minibar

when we both know that child would be nothing

man, that mouth of yours will cost

e day, Mother, you'll accept that I'm not the boy yo

ther down. Same eye

heard that Grayson's gi

hen that's good news for him. It me

isn't his,"

n a laugh and shock. "Oh wow.

Not even Grayson."

" he mu

. Not just for yourself but for me. I need this for my claim on that fam

er was the mistress of his father-Bernard Thorne-and the o

m him now, her arms f

said, breaking the silence with that unapologetic

n't worry, Mom. You're not getting ol

brow. "Be se

he liquor in his glass. "And you don't need

sharpened.

Ye

ning forward slightly, "whe

epened. "Soon

zed on the table. He glanced at the screen, an

urs," he muttered. "And s

, he declined the call an

. let's talk

Did Roman hang up on h

in, this time s

head snappe

g?" he said, taking

!" she yelled. "And

her phone screen. In two strides, he was in front of her, ri

growled, his voice low and d

hitched. "Yo

ged at his lips. His hands s

r, his breath ho

essa... you'