10. Jared

10

JARED

AGED 18

T he rush of anticipation courses through my veins as I abandon Aria at the party. My eyes scan the crowd for a new target—someone who dares to touch what is mine.

Then I spot him. Tyler, the jock who thinks he can have her. I follow him upstairs, each step fueling my rage. My fists clench as I imagine his hands on Aria, his lips on hers.

He stops at the bathroom. This is my chance. I wait until he's at the toilet, then push open the door, the hinges creaking. Startled, he zips up, turning toward me.

Without a word, I grab him by the collar and slam his head into the sink. Blood splatters across the porcelain, and I feel a twisted satisfaction seeing the fear in his eyes.

"You stay the fuck away from Aria," I snarl. "She doesn't want you. Lay one finger on her, and I'll make sure you regret it."

Tyler stumbles backward, cowering against the wall. I advance, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts. "Do you understand me? She's mine. My property. Any attempt to take her from me will result in your slow and painful death."

A whimper escapes his lips. "I-I won't go near her. I swear. Just—let me go."

With a glare, I release him, my fingers tingling with the urge to strangle the life from him. No one touches my stepsister but me.

I storm out, my heart hammering in my chest. Another obstacle has been eliminated. No one will stand in my way.

The memory of Tyler's terrified face brings me a sick pleasure. I can still feel his neck beneath my hands, his life force pulsating against my grip. It's a sensation I long to experience again, this time with his lifeless body in my arms.

I left him bleeding and broken in the bathroom. Everyone will hear about it, and soon, everyone will know to stay away from Aria. She is mine; any challenger will meet the same brutal fate or worse.

It's the first time I've eliminated a threat to her purity. Aria's first boyfriend met a worse fate when I sent him tumbling over the bleachers. The fall broke his neck, and his death was ruled a tragic accident. I watched as Aria mourned. It pained me to see her hurt, but I knew it was for the best. She was too pure for the likes of him.

Since then, Aria has been untouched, a pristine flower waiting to bloom. But now, with her eighteenth birthday still one year away, my control is starting to slip. I can sense her curiosity about sex and boys growing as she's reading more and more dirty novels, filling me with a desperate need to finally enlighten her, but it's not time yet.

I melt into the shadows as I watch Aria, an unseen predator. Each step brings me closer to her, my stepsister, my obsession.

Weaving through the crowd, I keep my eyes on her. Tonight, no one will dare touch her.

My breath catches as I watch Aria with her friends, her brown eyes dancing with such light. She's stunning in that moment, and I live for these moments, witnessing her radiance.

My protective instincts heighten as I note every boy who glances her way, their greedy gazes lingering too long. But they know better than to approach since Tyler's face is busted up and he's already told people that some masked psycho is obsessed with her. Aria is under my protection.

As the party winds down, I linger in the shadows, my eyes never leaving her. Step by step, I follow, matching her every move. She's heading home, and I'll ensure her safety.

The autumn night's air is crisp, and her laughter echoes through it when she steps out of the party with Lisa. They chat for a little while before she finally hugs her goodbye.

And then Aria sets off on her walk back home. Like a guardian angel, I follow her.

The journey takes her through deserted streets, the soft glow of streetlights illuminating her perfect form.

When she arrives at our family home, I watch her unlock the door. A soft smile twists her lips as she steps over the threshold, home and safe.

Only then do I walk away, my mission complete. The ache in my heart reminds me of what I can't have... yet. All I can do is bide my time until I can claim what's rightfully mine.