My Billionaire Step Brother

Chapter 2

Stephan POV:

“Is my father all right?” Her sore stare makes my insides shiver, her eyes now of a darker shade.

“He’s still in one piece!”

I watch as she becomes pale, the color of her cheeks drips instantly upon hearing my words, multiple emotions crossing her beautiful features, as if she’s imagining the worst possible scenarios. I mutter a string of curses at myself, I should have been more gentle, not breaking the news on her like that.

Why the f**k am I thinking this?

My plan was to shock her in every possible way, cause her suffering beyond repair.

“What do you mean? Tell me what happened!” She demands.

I open the door of my car for her, the driver gives me a peculiar look. I never touch the doors, moreover hold them for somebody else. I send him a cold glare, forcing him to look the other side, his figure of self-reproach.

Yes, people f*****g fear me.

A lot.

One word of mine is their command. I get instant recognition everywhere I go.

People learn the name Holmes even before learning the name of their country president. HOLMES CORP is one of the biggest companies in the world, top notch of the real estate industry.

Yet this woman showed nothing similar to respect on our first meeting, even though she clearly knows who I am.

“Why don’t you say a thing? Is my father still alive?” She grabs my wrist, squeezing it with panic.

“We’ll talk at the hotel.” I take her ice-cold hand into mine with fondness for she did something to my protective instincts, this woman is nothing I’ve expected, she’s dangerous.

The drive to the hotel was short, we go directly to the private elevator. I insert the key and press the button to the presidential suit. She follows me lost in her thoughts, her anxiety deepens with every step we take, she is frightened about the information she’ll get from me soon.

Out of nowhere came the impulse to enclose her in a hug, as soon as we entered the suit for she seemed on the brink of falling to pieces. Rather troubled by my intimate gesture, she breaks from the embrace and takes a seat on the lounge, my lips form into a devious grin, that’s not a reaction that I’m used to. The women I know are usually dying to get my attention, and they step even on dead bodies to benefit from a simple touch of mine.

“Do you have anything to drink?” She breaks the silence.

“Sure. What would you prefer, should I mix you something?”

She quirks a brow at me in lack of confidence. “No, I’ll have a neat whiskey, no ice, if you’re a dear.”

The intimidation glance she throws at me makes it difficult not to c***k in an amused smile. I serve her the drink, again a brand new thing to me, normally it’s the other way around.

She takes a big mouthful, breaking into cough. “Now tell me everything, don’t miss a single detail, I beg you!”

Jane POV:

Is seems like hours passed since we left the diner and until we arrived at the hotel. The traffic was hell, more than usual, for this is the first sunny day in months, people made the best of their lunch break, smiley faces everywhere, in contradiction with my daunting heart.

The man I’m with, I don’t trust even a bit, the power of attraction he possesses, I find it hazardous and it should be punishable by law.

I would have never followed him in any other circumstances at the hotel, but he has information vital for me, about my father, which is his stepfather too.

Yes, long story short, this man is a billionaire and he is also my stepbrother, and our family relationship is complicated beyond comprehension, the reason we’ve never seen each other before.

“I suspect you at least know that my mother and your father took a business trip in Germany.” He narrows his eyes at me.

“Yes, I do.” I reply in await to absorb all the other details.

“A trip that your father insisted they take, even though he knows nothing about our family business.” He continues. “They’ve rented a car and after drinking and partying with the other associates, they had an accident, the one that was driving the vehicle was your father.”

“Lies! My father is not someone who would drink and drive!” I shout at him in disbelief.

“They’ve found alcohol in his system.” He declares.

“That’s not possible, I know him, you’re lying!”

Even though I’ve had no contact with him in years, I know that he’s not capable of doing such a thing, drinking and driving was something f*******n in our family, moreover after my mother had that accident that crippled her for life.

“Are they ok? Both of them?” My words came out filled with worry.

“Your father is out of danger, even though he suffered injuries that will probably take months to heal.”

“And your mother?” I interrupt him holding my breath, impatience is killing me.

“With my mother is a different story.” His eyes cold while forcing those words out of his throat.

“Ahhh!”

“She is in intensive care, her life hangs by a thread, the next hours will be critical.”

“So, why are you here and not by her side?” I ask before controlling myself, but my question is legit.

“She wanted to meet you, if something is to happen to her, she wanted at least get to see your face.” Our eyes connected, I can feel his stare in the depth of my soul.

It’s not that I hate his mother, I despise the whole family situation. But yes, one could say that I’m not very fond of her, the reasons are more than sufficient.

“Does my father know about your mother?” I whisper, tears dripping on my cheeks, I was unable to hold them any longer.

“No, nobody talked to him. I was hoping that you will do that.”

There is something that I discern in his eyes similar to a sort of yearning directed to me, but he suddenly looks aside as if he is restraining himself to show it.

“A helicopter will be on the roof in less than an hour. It will take us to the airport, where my private plane is waiting.” He divulges.

“What?”

“I believe you carry your passport with you. If not, there is still time to go and grab it. I’m aware that you don’t have a job, so there is no problem regarding some days off.”

“I do have a job, I’m a writer!” I yell in bafflement.

“What I meant was that there is no one you respond to.” He tones down his voice.

“No, I’ll book some tickets and come after I pack and I arrange something for my cat and my dog.”

“That was already taken care of.” He adds. “I did a little background check on you before coming here.” He continues ignoring the irritation in my eyes. “New clothes are awaiting for you at my mansion, I believe I got your size right. And my assistant called a spa for pets that was more than delighted to take care of yours, after my name was slipped in. They even offered to do it for free, like I would have been in this sort of need.”

Yes, this is how our world works. When you are filthy rich, people tend to offer you complimentary services, even though you have more than enough money to pay for everything. On the other hand, poor people are treated like dregs of society. Anyway, not the point here.

“You dared do all that without consulting with me first?”

He sighs. “I thought it was the best in the given situation. Booking plane tickets and finding a host is something that takes time and considering time is the thing that we don’t have, I did my best to organize everything.”

True, though I hate to admit it.

“Yes, I supposed you’re right. I have my passport, we can leave anytime.”