Page 39 of Scorched Veil
What the hell? He looks out of place on this island, standing there in an expensive suit with sweat patches pooling under his arms. His hair is slicked back, the skin under his eyes dark like he hasn't been sleeping. I never noticed that before, but standing here in the garden with guns pointed at his head, he looks like our father, exactly like Mario Rayne. Same jaw, the same calculating eyes, as he scans the area trying to figure out his next move and who he can use in the process. His eyes find me instantly, and a look flickers across his face. I’m hoping it’s relief or concern, but I’m not sure.
"Summer." He exhales like he's been holding his breath for days. "Thank God. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
I don't answer him, I'm too busy trying to figure out why the hell he is here. This is my brother, the boy who used to steal cereal from the pantry and hide it under his bed. The teenager who taught me to ride a bike in the driveway because our father couldn't be bothered. But also, the man who has my phone number since I disappeared and never called.Not once.Not in all the days I've been on this island. He knew where I was, and he didn't come until now.
"What the fuck are you doing on my island?" Kairo's voice is quiet. That's worse than if he shouted.
"I came for my sister." Storm's eyes don't leave mine. "I came to take her home."
I stare at him. “What?”
“No,” Kairo adds, and the tone makes the guard push the gun harder into the back of Storm’s head.
I panic. "Get the gun off him," I yell at Kairo’s security. I don’t want them to shoot him.
Kairo looks at me and surprise flickers behind his eyes, and maybe hurt that I am defending my asshole of a brother, but he nods to his men, and they lower their weapons, but they don't step back from him.
Storm straightens his jacket and steps toward me. "Summer, you don't have to stay here. I had no idea what Dad was planning. As soon as I found out, I went looking for you. You’re a hard man to track down,” Storm says to Kairo.
“No shit.” He glares at my brother.
“Summer, I’m here to save you. Kairo is not a good man. He’s dangerous, and this world is not for you,” my brother pleads with me, his voice cracking like he actually means it.
"I don't need saving, Storm." The words come out steady and sure, and I watch them land on my brother's face like a slap. His mouth opens and closes, then his eyes flick to Kairo and back to me.
"What did you do? Are you blackmailing her?” my brother asks, voice rising.
“He’s not blackmailing me,” I say, grabbing Kairo’s hand and entwining my fingers with his. “I want to be here with my husband."
Storm stares at me like I've lost my mind. "Summer, he bought you. He took you from your family. He's kept you prisoner on an island. You can't seriously …"
"I'm not a prisoner anymore, things have changed," I explain.
Storm's face shifts. “In a week?”
My brows pull together. Yes, it’s only been a week, but it feels like a lifetime. I don’t think I can ever explain to my brother or to anyone how things have changed between Kairo and me, theywouldn’t understand. If you told me a week ago that I would stand beside Kairo and defend him, I would have said you’ve lost your mind.
“Yes.” My brother shakes his head, disbelief written all over his face. “Storm, I appreciate you coming to try to save me, but I am where I want to be.”
He turns his attention to my husband. “What have you done to her? This is not my sister,” he yells at Kairo.
“I’ve done nothing she didn’t want me to do,” Kairo says, his eyes narrowing as the innuendo hits.
“You motherfucking …” My brother goes to launch himself at my husband, but his guards grab him. It turns into a scuffle, and he loses his suit jacket. Punches in ribs land with an oof and a thud.
“Don’t hurt him,” I scream.
The guards stop but keep holding him tight.
“Summer, please … this man isn’t good for you.”
“Storm, I know it sounds crazy, but I love this man.”
Kairo stills.
It’s not how I wanted to declare my love for him, but in the moment, it feels right.
“You love me?” Kairo turns his back on my brother and stands in front of me, eyes wide.
