After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 18

LUKE

There were tons of reasons as to why I shouldn't listen to Dad's inconvenient request, and I was pretty much having a great time before he called. I could understand his attachment to Gene. My stepmother was one of a kind and the sweetest thing that had ever happened to our lives. I couldn't list everything she'd done for us. She was a mother to me. Period.

However, Gene was enough. I didn't like the idea of having a little sister. If it were a brother, I'd give it consideration. In addition, it was quite ridiculous to give out even the slightest part of my property that I worked my ass off for to a stranger. But since Dad asked nicely, I had no choice but to do it. Lastly, picking up this new little sister wasn't that hard, but it was never my thing to engage myself in extra family matters.

At the airport, I didn't see her right away. She was hard to remember. I'd only seen her once before. All I could recall was the skinny girl with mesmerizing brown eyes.

On the other hand, it's astonishing how time could change someone. When I finally found her, she was too good to be true. She was one of the most beautiful faces I had ever laid eyes on. Her curves had changed through the years; I figured she was a late bloomer. Her breasts were full and round, stretching the fabric of her tight shirt as if they were screaming to burst out.

I groaned when she sat in the backseat. "What are you doing? Sit in the front. I'm not your driver."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, then moved into the front and buckled her seatbelt. "You remembered me," she stated, her mouth curved the slightest smile. Oddly, she sounded familiar. I wonder where I'd heard her voice.

"Yes, but don't think I'm friendly. I'm doing this for Gene. Do you understand?"

Her face went from red to pale, then she nodded. She still had the smallest face, like how I remembered her, and it was making me fucking mad, for some reason I didn't understand.

"Is that how you normally communicate?" I had to ask.

"W-what? No," she breathed. "It's just… This is the first time we've actually talked."

I swear I've heard her voice before. "Yes, this is," I agreed, freeing my mind from such absurd thoughts. I revved the engine and pulled out of the place.

SCARLET

After the numerous heartaches in the past, I'd learned to divide men I was attracted to into two categories.

The first category could be described as ‘the dangerous ones.' They were men who would like to fuck and forget. They would leave you when they were done. Jax landed into that category—the reason why I didn't want to meet him. Then, there were ‘the safe ones.' They were the type of men who wouldn't expect anything from you and the kind that you wouldn't get too attached to.

However, with Luke, I didn't want to put him in either of those categories. He was my stepbrother—he was supposed to be out of the picture. But if I were to put him to any of the categories, he was precisely the man I should avoid.

I'd already had a crush on him in the past, but now I wanted him. If he were mine, I'd move my hands all over him—pleasure him, and whisper goodness in his ears. His presence alone made my skin itch as if I were yearning to feel him against my body, against my inner thighs. I imagined myself running my fingers along that strong jaw and kissing him senselessly. I would inhale his musk wood cologne and aftershave. His exquisite display of male beauty had me burning between my thighs. But from the moment our eyes met, I knew I should be running.

Damn. The thoughts scared me instantly. Every hair on my skin stood as the witness to my fear. I'd almost forgotten that he was my stepbrother. In an instant, I thought of calling Jax to relieve the sexual tension.

Maybe later at home.

"Are you going to stay here for the week?" he suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Thomas asked me."

He glanced at me. "Are you staying with them?"

"Yes." I tried to divert my mind by looking through the window, filling my eyes with the beauty of New York City night lights. "Actually, I'd like to move up here."

To my surprise, he nodded, and his eyes glimmered. "It makes you feel alive."

I smiled. "How so?"

He didn't answer but smirked.

"I heard you were in Cambridge," I went on, trying to start a proper conversation. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your number to call you while you're there."

"It's alright. I'm busy anyway. I won't be able to meet."

I cleared my throat. "That's what I heard."

"I wouldn't mind giving you my number, though." He flashed a sexy smile. "You're my new little sister." He abruptly stopped the car.

"Are we home?" I looked outside, but it didn't look like Thomas' house.

We had stopped in front of the posh entrance of Hotel B. A five-star hotel Luke alone owned. A giant letter B was embossed just right above the opulent entrance. I'd heard from Mom that the B stood for "Bella."

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"Because Dad has a plan." He stepped out of the car first and turned around to open the door for me. "And you need to get dressed."

I stepped out of the car. "For what?"

"Dad didn't tell you?"

"He didn't say anything urgent. No."

He studied me from head to toe. "Do you happen to have a dress?"

I looked down at my casual shirt, ripped jeans, and sneakers. "I… I guess so. I think I brought one in my suitcase."

"Good. You need to change." Luke plucked my suitcase out of his car and dragged it with him. I tried to catch up with him.

"Hey, what's the occasion? It's already nine and—" I paused. "Wait.  Mom's birthday party is tonight. I remembered her mentioning it over the phone."

He stopped by the lobby. "You don't know a single thing, do you? The party starts at eleven."

I frowned. "But I thought it's tomorrow. Thomas said—"

"Stop talking. This is the plan." He rolled his eyes, then he dropped my suitcase on the floor.

I gasped. "Hey! Did you just toss my—" I lowered down and picked up my luggage, but when I got up, he was already gone, "bag…"

Did he just leave me?

Since I had nowhere to go, I went to the reception and tried to book myself a room, but there was already a reservation under my name. Luke might have had it prepared for me—or maybe Thomas. Luke was no gentleman. Certainly, he was nothing like his father. If only I knew he was a jerk like this, I wouldn't have fantasized him for the last six years.

I dragged my suitcase with me and stepped into the elevator as soon as I got my key card. Good thing my room was a suite. I freaking needed a good bath.

The first thing I did was dig into my suitcase and laid out the only dress I could ever bring. A Burberry crimson backless dress with a hem two inches above the knee and a pair of Christian Louboutin silver stilettos. Fortunately, I had also brought my charms with me and my ruby necklace. I touched the gem with my finger and briefly admired its beauty.

I wasn't a greedy person, and I'd never imagined myself wearing these extravagant things before Mom's marriage. It's not that I desired any of it, but when Mom married Thomas, I wouldn't deny that I also lived in luxury as a result. My stepfather was generous. He provided things for me. I lived in an apartment leased in my name in Cambridge, he sent me to Harvard, gave me everything I needed—not to mention he was also a good adviser.

However, there were times I wondered what Luke thought of me.

Did he think I wanted his father's fortune? Was that why he couldn't like me or accept me as his stepsister? Thomas did mention that I needed to sign papers for the transfer of assets, but I didn't want any of it. I had enough of the material things. But who knows? Maybe he changed his mind.

Enough thinking about Luke.

My mind screamed at me. I had to get moving. I stepped into the bathroom and had a delightful bath.

Shortly after, I slid everything on, hurriedly did a smokey eye look, and finished the evening makeup with a touch of red lipstick. All I needed to do now was inform Thomas about my arrival at the party tonight and get myself an Uber. However, I stopped as I noticed the blinking of my notifications.

13 missed calls from Thomas

2 missed calls from Jax and another message from him

I ignored Thomas' missed calls because I was a bad daughter, and I opened Jax's message first.

Have you arrived yet? – Jax

I bit my fingernail, thinking of a reply.

Yes. I just arrived. Thank you. – Ericka

I typed another.

Can I call you later? I need to get an Uber.

He replied right away.

Getting out already? Good for you. I'm stuck with my family tonight.

I giggled. I was about to be stuck with my family, too.

I'm starting to count. It's going to be three weeks, and you still didn't find a date.

"We need to leave now," he said, ignoring my remark.

"How about my things?"

"I'll have it picked up later." And just like that, he walked out the door again.

I grabbed my purse and rushed outside. Luke was about to step into the elevator. Damn. He just couldn't wait for me. He certainly did not care if I was running for my life just to keep up. He did not hold the elevator, and the poisonous bastard could not stop smirking as if I was some comedian.

I realized then that perhaps he just really hated me. He wouldn't be such an ass if he didn't. Even if we weren't real siblings, he could've just treated me like a normal person.

"What is wrong with you?" I ranted.

He didn't answer, but he could not stop his mouth from twitching.

"It's not my fault your legs are short."

I froze. "What did you just say?"

My distaste towards him began to increase and intensify. I was starting to hate him. Unfortunately, I knew I would never win.

I looked away from his goddamn pretty face. Instead, I stood up and fixed my eyes forward. I would not play with his games.

When we reached the hotel's first floor, Luke continued to march outside as if I did not exist. The hotel staff greeted him, but he didn't respond. He must think so highly of himself. He walked towards a black Bentley on the hotel's main driveway and got into the driver's seat. I was not expecting that he would open the door for me, so I just quietly stepped inside of my own accord.

There, again, the car was filled with his intoxicating scent. I was probably going crazy, still being attracted to him. There was no point admiring him.

Luke was very silent and uninterested in me the whole drive. I began to worry. I didn't want to live under the same roof as my stepbrother.

***

I gasped at the stylish and luxurious home towering over me when I stepped out of the car. The two-acre land had a three-story mansion that combined steel, concrete, wood, and glass. This was Thomas Alejandro's home, the place where my mother wanted me to live.

I wanted to explore the interior, but the party was being held in the garden, so we proceeded to the venue. As we moved, the camera flashes instantly blinded me, and there were hundreds of guests in fancy suits and dresses crowding in one place. The party had already begun, and I could already hear my stepfather's voice speaking through the speaker system.

To my surprise, Luke grabbed my hand and brought me over to the stage with him. "Come on! I told you we're late."

"Hey, where are we—"

Luke's warm hand grasped my wrist; it was like small tingles and tiny bolts of electricity were radiating from him, and he was transferring them to me. I wasn't sure if he felt it.

We stopped at the side of the stage as if waiting for something to happen. I seriously didn't know what he was planning to do.

"I would like to address my beautiful and lovely wife, Gene," Thomas continued to speak. "You are perfect in everything you do. You have become the light of our home, and I'm grateful to you for taking care of my son, Lucas. But right now, as we are celebrating your fiftieth birthday, I wanted to give you the best gift," he paused, making eye contact with my mother, who was wiping her tears in pure joy. He kissed her temple and continued the speech. "I would like to invite our precious daughter on stage. She came here straight from Cambridge to witness her mother's special day."

Thomas shifted his body to one side and spread out his arm towards me. "Let's welcome Scarlet Carter, my daughter. Let's give her a big round of applause."

Oh, my God! This was the surprise he was talking about.

Mom's mouth dropped open when she saw me; her expression was full of awe and priceless. She was so beautiful, her face blessed with youth. She'd curled her brunette hair, and she was wearing a sparkling emerald-green evening dress that hugged her curves. The life Thomas had given her suited her well. I gave her a smile of yearning, realizing I had missed her so much.

Luke leaned close to my ear. "Go on, she's waiting," he urged in a whisper, offering his arm to me.

"But, Luke… I'm not prepared for this."

"Who is?" he hissed.

"Scar, my dear?" my stepfather called. "Come up here, sweetheart."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Come on," he pressed, brought my hand to his arm, and took me to the stage while my knees quivered. A round of applause erupted the whole place as soon as I made my grand entrance.

"Hi, Mom."

"My darling, you are here." Mom immediately caught me around her arms and squeezed me so tight as if there were no tomorrow for both of us. It's been months since she last visited me in Cambridge. She parted away a little, cupped my face between her palms, and wiped my tears away with her thumb. "I thought you were coming home on Sunday?"

I chuckled between my tears and embraced her again. "Well, surprise! I am here now. Happy Birthday, Mom."