Chapter 8
When Siblings Fight
JESSICA
TWO WEEKS AGO:
March 14, 2025: 5 a.m.
Alpha Kings Mansion
“So, this is what it comes down to, huh? After all these years, you three are ganging up on me?” I say to my three brothers—the twins, Justin and Jeremy, and Luke—who slowly circle me.
I decided to come down to the basement of our family’s mansion, which had been converted into a gym for an early morning workout. My brothers decided to ambush me. I take a stance, ready for a fight.
“Just tell us where you hid it, and we’ll let you go,” Justin offers with a sly grin.
“Yeah. No harm, no foul. We get what we want, and you’re free to go,” Jeremy adds.
I roll my eyes at the twins and turn to Luke. “And you? What part do you have in this?”
He shrugs. “You know me—anything for a good fight—and I always have my brothers’ backs.”
I cringe at his remark. Luke and I have a complicated relationship. I’m adopted, and he reminds me of that with snarky innuendos at every opportunity.
Over the years, I have just accepted what we are—a complicated train wreck of love and hate, friends and sometimes enemies. It sometimes drives pain deep into my heart.
“Just tell us what we want to know, Jessica,” Justin repeats, cutting into my thoughts.
“I am not telling you anything. Besides, I can take the three of you, so bring it.” I motion with my hand for them to advance. Luke’s smile widens. Alright, tough guy. I will take you down first and shove your smug smile up your…
Justin dives, and Jeremy crouches to sweep my legs out from under me. I jump and turn just in time. Luke comes at me just as I land. Striking, I block him, grab him by the wrist, and pivot sideways, kicking him in the chest and sending him a few feet back.
Jeremy lunges at me. I don’t try to avoid his line of attack. Instead, I take a few steps toward him. Justin sneaks up behind me, and I surprise both by jumping into a spread-eagle, kicking them each in the chest.
Luke’s footsteps approach quickly so I drop to my knees and hit him in the stomach. I rock back on my heels and jab him in the knee, causing him to fall. Rolling into a crouch, I jump to my feet, swiveling around as Justin recovered from my kick.
I strike. He blocks. Justin is fast, but I’m faster. I keep striking, and he keeps blocking. Jeremy is on me again. I drop down to swipe his legs out from under him, but he moves before I can connect.
Tumbling out and away from the twins, I run toward the broom leaning against the wall.
Luke jumps into my path. “No cheating,” he tsks.
“Oh, like three-on-one isn’t cheating,” I sneer.
He smiles, showing off his dimples—that fucker. I narrow my eyes and rush toward him. Gaining momentum, I jump and twist my body, clearing over his head and landing behind him, my back to his back. I slam my elbow into his kidney and back-kick his ass.
Pride swells inside me that I made that jump. Luke stands at six foot three or more by now. He’s broad-shouldered and muscular. His arm reach alone could pull me down. Glowing, a little triumphant, I don’t bother to glance back. I step into action to retrieve that broom.
But I don’t get very far. Luke grabs my arm, pulling me around to his front, and holds me up against him.
He smiles again. “That was impressive, but I think I got you just where I want you.”
Smiling back, I stand on my tiptoes, leaning in. His eyes widen as I progress even closer. I whisper, “I’m immune to the Luke Langhlam charm so I think… I got you.”
Before he can respond, I jump, wrap my legs around his waist, and throw myself back. Twisting my body as we fall, I plan to wrench myself out of his hold. However, Luke grips me tighter and twists in the opposite direction. I initially land on top of him. He takes the impact fully from our fall.
In this position, being on top is not bad. I leverage my elbows to disengage his arms, push off his chest, and use my legs to backflip off of him, grabbing the broom just in time to hit Jeremy, advancing toward me. I strike him in the chest and then his arms and abdomen. Each strike is swift. He can’t block them in time.
