Stepbrother's Lust: A Forbidden Mafia Romance

Rose’s POV

The next morning, I came downstairs with one very specific plan: avoid Reagan.

It shouldn’t have been difficult. There were enough people in the house to make disappearing into the background easy, and breakfast was usually busy enough that nobody paid much attention to who was talking to whom. I could sit somewhere far from him, eat quietly, and leave before anything became awkward.

That was the plan, anyway.

Everyone was already in the dining room when I walked in. Mom was beside Devon, going through something on her phone while he drank his coffee, and a few staff members were moving around the room, setting breakfast on the table. I was about to head toward my usual seat when I saw Reagan.

He was already there.

Our eyes met.

I immediately looked away and turned toward the kitchen as if I’d suddenly remembered something incredibly important.

I hadn’t.

I just needed somewhere else to look.

Because Reagan looked completely normal. Not awkward. Not uncomfortable. Not even remotely embarrassed. He was just sitting there, drinking his coffee like last night hadn’t happened.

Like he hadn’t almost kissed me.

Like I hadn’t stood there waiting for him to do it.

My cheeks warmed.

I hated myself.

I reached the kitchen doorway and pretended to check something on the counter. I had no idea what I was checking. There was absolutely nothing there that needed my attention, but I stood there anyway for a few seconds before finally forcing myself back into the dining room.

I sat down and reached for my glass.

Don’t look at him.

Don’t look at him.

I looked.

He was already watching me.

I immediately focused on my plate.

Then I heard the faintest breath of laughter.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

The corner of his mouth had lifted. It wasn’t quite a smirk, more like he was amused by something only he understood.

What are you smiling for, prick?

I looked away again and took a long sip of juice.

Of course he was amused. He’d probably noticed me running into the kitchen the second I saw him and decided it was funny.

I tried to ignore him, but my eyes betrayed me again a few moments later.

He was still looking.

I frowned.

He finally looked away.

I relaxed a little, but then another thought crept in.

Why was he so calm?

After our first kiss, he’d spent weeks pretending I didn’t exist. I’d expected the same thing this time. Maybe awkward silence. Maybe avoidance. Maybe he’d act as though last night had never happened.

Instead, he was sitting there like everything was perfectly normal.

Meanwhile, I’d barely slept because my brain wouldn’t stop replaying the night.

It wasn’t fair.

I reached for the toast at the same time Reagan reached for the plate and our hands nearly touched.

I pulled mine back immediately.

He looked at me.

"You can take it."

"I wasn’t going to."

He glanced at the toast, then at me.

"You literally reached for it."

"I changed my mind."

"About toast?"

"Yes."

He stared at me for a second before quietly pushing the plate toward me.

"Eat. Even firefighters wouldn’t be able to rescue you if you’re blown away by the wind."

I looked at him.

"What!!."

"Rose, no shouting during meals" mum warned softly.

"But he just- He literarily started it by calling me thin"

"You are.", Reagan said

"Says the guy who could fit in any of my dresses. You’re older than i am, aren’t you supposed to be you know.... Broader."

His eyebrow lifted and the table quited before a few poorly stifled chuckles came from my mum and Devon.

"I’m eating breakfast."

"Build some more muscle too."

"I already have."

"Clearly not enough"

I mumbled to myself but not too quiet to go unheard. I watched Reagans brow twitch.

That seemed to have got to him. It brought me immense joy.

I was still mentally complaining when Mom suddenly looked up.

"So, you really have to leave today?"

Devon looked at her over his coffee. "Unfortunately. We have a few things to handle at the office."

His tone was calm and mature, but there was a small smile on his face that softened the words. I almost didn’t notice the change in Mom’s expression until I looked at her properly.

She looked disappointed.

I followed her gaze toward the entrance and finally noticed the luggage I’d somehow missed earlier. Several bags were already packed and waiting near the door while two staff members handled the last few pieces.

Oh.

They really were leaving.

Add:

I frowned.

"Are you guys going somewhere?"

Mom looked up from her plate.

"Hmm?"

I pointed toward the hallway.

"The luggage."

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Oh."

"That’s it? Oh?"

She smiled. "Devon and Reagan have some things to take care of."

"For how long?"

"Might be indefinite."

They really were leaving.

For some reason, my chest tightened.

I didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like I’d grown particularly attached to having everyone around. If anything, the house had been more chaotic since they arrived.

Still, the sight of those bags left an odd emptiness in me.

I’d known these people for barely any time at all.

Still, I found myself looking toward the entrance again.

The bags were already lined up neatly beside the door, ready to disappear with them.

Maybe I was getting used to having people around.

Or maybe I just didn’t like the idea of the house suddenly becoming quiet again.

I looked away before I could think too much about it.

"But must you?" Mom asked, her voice softer this time.

Devon gave her a fond look. "We’ve already stayed longer than planned."

"That doesn’t mean you have to go today."

"I do eventually."

"Eventually isn’t today."

I lowered my head to hide my smile.

Mom wasn’t usually this clingy. At least, not openly. But whenever it came to Devon, she somehow became softer.

Devon seemed to find it amusing too. "You’re making this difficult."

"Oh really?" Mum said exaggeratingly

He chuckled.

"But I just got you back," she added, almost under her breath.

His expression softened. "Don’t you think making me stay a few days with you is enough?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Hm? The trip from here to work is already a hassle and—"

"Oh."

Mom’s voice changed immediately.

Devon stopped.

"Staying with me is a hassle?"

I lowered my head.

Here we go.

"That’s not what I meant."

"It sounded like it."

"I said the commute was a hassle."

"Which means staying here is a hassle."

"It doesn’t."

"It does."

"You’re deliberately misunderstanding me."

"And you’re deliberately trying to leave."

Devon opened his mouth, then closed it again. A crooked smile appeared on his face, the kind that practically screamed *God help me.*

I bit the inside of my cheek.

Across the table, Reagan’s shoulder moved slightly.

I glanced at him.

He was trying not to laugh.

I caught his eye.

He immediately looked down at his plate, but the amusement was still obvious.

Oh so you do have another expression asides your smirks

Mom sighed and looked back at Devon. "But do you really have to?"

There was something almost cute about the way she asked this time, and Devon’s expression softened.

"I do."

She sulked.

Actually sulked.

I stared at my plate.

Please stop

I felt like my eyes were being soaked in a mixture of pepper and vinegar.

Mom eventually sighed. "Fine."

Mom was quiet for a moment, staring down at her coffee. I watched her then leaned in close so that only she could hear.

She looked different when she thought Devon was leaving. Softer somehow.

"Are you really going to miss him that much?" I asked.

She glanced at me.

"Of course."

I smiled slightly.

"You could always visit."

"It’s not the same."

In my process of trying to cheer her up, i might’ve unintentionally wandered into adult love life.

I shook it off and continued

"You sound like he’s the air you breathe or something."

She gave me an offended look.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Jeez mom."

"Don’t tell him I said this, but I don’t necessarily dislike having him around."

"I think he knows."

She looked toward Devon.

"He probably does."

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then Mom looked back at me.

I relaxed.

For approximately three seconds.

Then she looked directly at me.

"Rose, pack your bags."

I nearly choked on my juice.

"What?"

"Pack your bags."

"Why?"

"You’re coming with me."

I stared at her. "Coming where?"

"We’re moving in with Devon."

I blinked.

Then I looked at Devon.

Then back at Mom.

"Wait. We’re moving in with him?"

‎Devon calmly picked up his fork.

Mom took another sip of coffee before adding, "And we’re moving..." She paused, turning her head toward Devon. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "...permanently."

She dragged out the last word as she gave him a pointed look.

Devon didn’t even flinch. He simply continued eating, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

Mom turned back to me.

"Wait." I frowned. "Permanently?"

"Yes."

I glanced between her and Devon.

"Why?"

Mom’s expression softened a little. She looked down at her engagement ring, turning it absentmindedly around her finger.

"I suppose it’s time for an upgrade."

"I frowned. "Upgrade?"

Mom only smiled as she looked at her ring again.

I looked at Devon, waiting for him to explain, but he seemed perfectly content to let me figure it out myself.

I looked back at Mom.

"What does that mean?"

She didn’t answer.

Devon sighed.

I had no idea what she meant.

Then he finally looked at me.

His expression was calm.

Far too calm.

‎"I suppose it’s time you knew."

My stomach tightened.

"Knew what?"

He took another sip of coffee.

"We’re getting married in two weeks."

My eyes widened.

‎My brain seemed to leave my body.

For one second, I just stared at him then

‎I stared at my mum for another second before my brain finally caught up with everything they’d just said

"You’re getting married in two weeks?!"

‎

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