32. Jared

32

JARED

I linger in the hallway, drawn to the hushed whispers between Aria and Lisa like a moth to a flame. My possessive hunger flares as I eavesdrop on their conversation, my heart pounding in anticipation.

I press my ear against the door, straining to catch every word.

"Lisa, there's something I need to tell you." Aria's voice is laced with hesitation. "Jared and I... we're more than just stepsiblings. We're..." A pause hangs in the air. "We're sleeping together."

Her confession shocks me. It's dangerous to tell someone about us, but no doubt she wants a friend to confide in, and Lisa has been her closest friend all her life.

"How? When?" Lisa's voice trembles.

Aria hesitates. "It's been going on since my birthday. I know it's wrong, but I can't help how I feel about him."

My chest swells hearing her say that. My sweet Aria, defending our forbidden connection.

"Aria, this is so messed up! He's your brother, for god's sake. What he's doing to you is abuse. He's taking advantage of you!"

A surge of anger hits me at her accusation.

How dare she question my devotion to Aria's pleasure?

"No, Lisa, you don't understand." Aria's voice shakes. "It's not like that. I want this. I want him."

"But Aria, he's your stepbrother! He's manipulating you, can't you see that?"

Lisa's shrill voice grates on my nerves. The thought of snapping her neck and silencing her forever graces my mind, but I know Aria would never forgive me if I did.

"You're wrong!" Aria replies. "Jared loves me in a way no one else could. Our relationship is intense and passionate and so very real."

A twisted smile curves my lips at her defense of our relationship.

"Aria, please." Lisa's voice breaks. "Let me help you escape this madness."

"I can't, Lisa," Aria whispers. "I love him."

At that moment, all thoughts of harming Lisa vanish. My beautiful Aria has chosen me freely and without coercion. She loves me just as I love her.

Lisa sighs heavily. "What are you going to tell your parents?"

"I..." Aria falters before finding her resolve. "I won't tell them anything. As far as they know, Jared and I are just siblings."

"Aria, they're going to find out eventually," Lisa cautions. "What then?"

"By the time they do, it won't matter," Aria states. "I'll be away at college, somewhere close to Jared. We can be together without anyone knowing, without judgment."

Her words ignite a possessive blaze within me. The thought of having her all to myself, away from societal constraints, is intoxicating.

"You're going to go through with this?" Lisa asks. "This is insane!"

"Maybe it is," Aria concedes. "But it's the insanity that sets my soul on fire. Jared understands me like no one else does. With him, I can embrace the darkest parts of myself without fear or shame."

Lisa falls silent, perhaps realizing her protests are futile.

I can't resist any longer. Abandoning my post at the door, I stride into Aria's room.

Lisa's eyes narrow in disgust, but I ignore her. My gaze is locked on Aria, drinking in the sight of her, my perfect obsession.

"Jared..." Aria breathes my name like a prayer, her eyes alight with desire and trepidation.

"Don't worry, baby," I murmur, crossing the room to caress her cheek. "I've got this."

Turning to Lisa, I fix her with a cold stare. "You'd do well to keep your nose out of our business."

Lisa's eyes blaze with defiance.

"Save your self-righteous lectures," I snarl before she can speak. "Aria knows what she wants, and it's me. We're two consenting adults exploring our desires without the need for your judgment."

"She's your stepsister!" Lisa cries. "What you're doing is sick!"

A cruel smile curves my lips as I approach her, my body radiating menace. "You think you know what's best for Aria, but you're wrong. I'm the only one who truly understands her."

Lisa shrinks back. "You're delusional! You've brainwashed her into thinking this is okay!"

Rage surges through me, and before I can stop myself, I grab her throat in a viselike grip.

Lisa's eyes widen in terror as I yank her close, my face mere inches from hers.

"Jared, stop!" Aria's voice cuts through the haze of fury, and I freeze, my grip on Lisa's throat slackening.

Aria steps between us, placing her hands against my chest. "Don't hurt her," she pleads. "Please, Jared. She's my best friend."

I gaze down at Aria, and a wave of tenderness washes over me, tempering the rage.

Stepping closer, I pull Aria into my embrace. "Anything for you," I murmur.

Lisa gasps for air, rubbing her throat. "You're both sick," she chokes out. "Completely deranged."

I shoot her a warning glare.

Aria tenses in my arms, sensing my rage returning.

"Lisa, please..." she begins. "Just go. I'll talk to you later, I promise."

Lisa looks as though she might protest, but something in Aria's expression gives her pause. She turns and flees from the room with one last haunted look at us.

Alone, I tighten my grip on her. "You're mine, Aria." I nip her earlobe, trailing kisses along her neck.

She shivers in my arms, a sound of submission escaping her throat. "Yours, now and forever."

The bond between us is unbreakable. Together, we will navigate this dangerous path and defy all who tell us we're wrong. Lisa is acting like we're blood siblings. We may have grown up together since we were younger, but there's nothing illegal about what we're doing.

No matter the consequences, I will keep her close, protecting what's mine.

My sweet Aria, mine forever.