Keeping Their Dark Rose by Jessica & Jane

Chapter 2

I want to tell him, to explain, but the words are trapped in my throat. My mind races, trying to piece together the events leading up to this moment.

Ethan’s expression is one of shock, his chest heaving as he realized what I had done. But there was no time to process, no time to grieve.

“I, I,” I stutter, my voice barely a whisper.

Ethan’s touch is gentle as he comes closer. I flinch, expecting him to attack me after what I did, but he doesn’t. Max rushes over with a horrified colt.

“It’s okay, Rose. We’re here now. We’ll protect you. No one is going to know anything,” he murmurs, but his reassurance feels hollow when hear a gurgle noise. We all freeze, then hear a sputter. My wide eyes turn to my step-father. He’s still

alive.

The reality is too much to bear. In a single moment, our lives have changed forever. My stepbrothers, who were once my protectors, are now tied to this tragedy, all because of me. Ethan snarls, pushing me toward Max, who grabs me, taking me into his arms. He bends down, grabbing the gun, and moves toward his father, who is making a disgusting gurgling noise. He wheezes and tries to say something. When the gunshot rings out loudly, I jump, peering over at Ethan, who stands over his father. Max, however, turns, shielding me from the sight. Ethan killed his father. He may have saved him, his wolf clearly healing him enough that I didn’t kill him,

but Ethan did. He killed his father for me.

The guilt is overwhelming, suffocating. I need to get away from them, from this house, from the ghosts that will haunt us. But as Ethan pulls me into his embrace, I’ m paralyzed, trapped in a nightmare that I can’t wake up from.

I have to get away from my stepbrothers. I just have to.

“It’s okay, Rose. We’re here now. We’ll protect you. No one is going to know anything.”

Ethan grabs my wrist with his warm fingers, pulling me closer. The blood on my hands stains his crisp white dress shirt. I try to pull away from him, not wanting to stain his shirt more than it already is.

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Chapter 2

“Your shirt.” I mumble, but he shakes his head.

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“F uck the shirt.” He growls, tucking me tighter against his chest to turn my face away from my mom and my step-dad. “Max, call Colt. Get him over here and tell him what’s happened.” Ethan orders his brother.

I hear Max walking off. He doesn’t say anything. I know that he will do what Ethan ordered him to do. He always does what Ethan says, everyone always does what he says. Ethan will one day be his alpha. My throat feels tight as I realize it won’t be one day soon, but with the death of his father… He is the alpha now and everything is going to change.

He will take over his father’s empire, the businesses both legal and not. He has every reason to have killed his dad. I’d heard them fighting this morning. Heated words that were all but yelled at each other before Ethan stormed out of the house, taking off to Colt.

Ethan wouldn’t have killed him if it weren’t for me. Now I have forced his hand, forced him to give up his life to become alpha early.

His hand moves up my back in soft circles, meant to soothe me. I’m still crying and I don’t know how to make it stop.

“Shh, Rose. Don’t worry, no one will ever find out.” He whispers, and a chill shoots up my spine as he pulls me into his lap. Ethan had to have done this and I will be his next kill. I need to get out of here, away from him and Max, but I can’t seem to force myself to move.

Ethan holds me tightly in his lap, whispering words of reassurance until the tears stop flowing. I feel weak, but I pull back to look at him. Ethan brings his hand up, stroking his fingertips over my cheek softly. I can’t help but lean my cheek into his touch. It feels so good after the horror that I’ve seen.

I know I shouldn’t take comfort in him. He killed his father for me: But there is a look in his eyes, a softness that I can’t explain, that makes me want to take everything he’s offering me.

“Rose, do you know who I am?”

“Ethan, your Ethan, my step-brother.” I whisper back, unsure of what answer he’s looking for.

“No, do you know who I am?” He asks again.

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“Ethan, stop. She’s not ready.” Colt, Ethan’s mate, calls out from the hallway as he strides into the room with a towel.

I look up at Ethan, confused and scared. He’s not making any sense. What does he want from me? Why is he asking me if I know who he is? And why is Colt telling him to stop?

Ethan glares at his mate, his grip on me tightening on my waist as he growls. “She needs to know who we are to her.”

“Ethan. Not while she’s covered in blood. Go clean her up, and we can talk about it after I take care of the bodies.” Colt snaps as he kneels beside us, resting his hand on Ethan’s shoulder. His thumb moves slowly in a soft stroke against his mate as he looks over at his mate. I feel like I’m intruding on them, but Ethan’s hold on me means I can’t slip away.

Max comes into the room and Ethan nods at his mate. They found out they were mates two years ago. However, Colt hands the towel to Max, and Ethan lets his brother take me into his arms. My step-brother shifts me against his chest. Holding me tight as he takes me into the bathroom. I tuck my cheek against his chest, listening to the quiet conversation happening between Colt and Ethan, but I can’t

make out their words.

“Don’t worry, Rose. Colt and Than will take care of everything. I’ve got you,” Max says softly, but I can’t help but feel like nothing will be okay.

One thing is clear though, I have to get away from my step-brothers.