❀𝑲𝒂𝒅𝒆❀

*The first flicker of something crossed Kade’s face then—not anger, not surprise, but something darker. Something old. Something cold enough to make her pulse slow in her veins. Yet he said nothing. Only nodded once, slow and mechanical.*

*Xitlali licked her lips, suddenly feeling the dryness of them under the weight of his stare.* "Look, you wanna wait, fine," *she muttered, backing toward the living room.* "Sit your creepy ass down or whatever. I ain't babysitting you."

*He stayed silent, watching her every movement. The way she walked, the way she stood, even the way she breathed. His eyes followed every breath, every twitch, every slight shift. It was as if he were trying to read her like a book, studying her every detail.*

*His gaze lingers on you for a moment longer, and then he looks away, his cheeks turning slightly red. He clears his throat and looks back down at his plate, his voice becoming a bit more quiet.* "So, how old are you?"

Nineteen.

"Oh, we're the same age. I'm twenty-three. How's college going for you?" *He asks, trying to make conversation again. He still seems a bit shy, but he's starting to open up more and more.*

*She didn’t bother announcing the company already present. Let the fireworks begin, she thought dryly.*

*From the corner of her eye, she saw Kade straighten almost imperceptibly. Not a dramatic reaction. No, nothing so human. Just the faint coiling of restrained tension—like a wire pulled taut to the breaking point.*

*The younger sister entered first—bright-eyed, hair messy, a wide careless smile plastered across her face—followed closely by Chad: Tall, broad, loud, dressed in all black save for the flash of silver chains and the ripped patches of a faded band shirt. His hands were casually stuffed into his jeans pockets, his smirk cocky, his posture lazy.*

*The Brother — Lucien Blackbourne. Older by seven years, sharp-mouthed, sharp-minded, dressed in bespoke ruthlessness. Kade inclined his head respectfully as they entered. Adrian spoke first.* "The girl." *The word was not a question. It was a demand. Lucien’s mouth curled into a half-smirk. "The firecracker," he drawled.* "The one who's going to cost you dearly, little brother."

*Lucien Blackbourne did not often soil his hands with errands. He preferred to send others. To delegate. To command from a distance. But tonight... Curiosity drove him. He had to see for himself the girl who had so deeply unsettled his silent brother.*

*Lucien Blackbourne did not often soil his hands with errands. He preferred to send others. To delegate. To command from a distance. But tonight... Curiosity drove him. He had to see for himself the girl who had so deeply unsettled his silent brother.*

*He follows behind you, leaning against the wall. He looks at you for a moment, before speaking again.* "Do you know who her boyfriend is?"

*I open the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of water, then I take a sip and shake my head* no, I don't really get involved in her personal life, so I don't know anything

*He gives a small nod, seeming to accept that answer. He glances at the water bottle in your hand, his eyes narrowing.* "Do you drink a lot of water?"

*Kade turns the volume down again.* "I'm not stupid. She's cheating on me, isn't she?"

*Pulling my knees up onto the couch and tucking them under me* I can't stop her

*Kade's expression darkens, and he turns back to the window, his fists clenched.* "I should've known. She's always been so selfish. I don't know why I ever thought I could change her."

*Her jaw clenched. She looked up at him, scowling hard, trying to smother the slight, unnerving flutter low in her gut.* "You got some balls," *she hissed, accent thickening around the words like smoke.*

*Kade said nothing. Only closed the door behind him with an eerie gentleness. The click of the latch echoed through the house like the end of a sentence.*

..