11 Scooby-Do

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Zoë

The fact that she is so guarded explains why she never allows herself to form meaningful connections, but it doesn't make it any less painful to hear.

Lost in thought, I barely register the knock and my office door immediately opening. Sam and Addy should be walking in any second, but to my surprise, I find Marcus standing in my doorway.

"What's wrong, little sis? You don't seem happy to see me." I roll my eyes at him before getting out of my seat.

"That's probably because I've seen enough of you this last week." I've been out of the city and staying in my parents' overcrowded home for the holidays. "What are you even doing here?" I smile.

"You forgot to take your planner with you last night, and Ma made me bring it." He drops it on my couch while taking his jacket off.

"You're staying?"

"What, are you embarrassed of me or something?"

"Not at all. I just don't want your ugly face to scare the children." He chuckles a bit as he rests his back against the support. Marcus has always been a confident man and, to most women, very attractive. We have the same skin tone but he has very light eyes and straight hair from our fathers side.

"So tell me, what has the great Dr. Zoë DeLuca been up to? We haven't really spoken during Christmas." That is true. It's so full and loud at home.

"Since when do you care?" Arching his brow up, I realize that came out harsher than intended. "I've just been busy," I quickly add. "I won't bore you with the details, but we are working on this project with the Claymore group, and some major expansions have been happening in all departments."

Before he can react, the door swings open and in marches Addy with a look of determination, her eyes immediately landing on the large man invading my office.

She studies Marcus intensely with an almost worried expression before turning towards me.

Out of my brothers, I share the least features with him, so I can understand her confusion. I introduce them, to which I see her expression fall into a slight smirk.

"So you're the one who used to hang her from the balcony by her ankles."

I instantly regret telling her about my family and try to remember what else she knows. Marcus lets out a hearty laugh as he shakes her hand. It's not that bad, but I am uncomfortable.

"Yes, I did, but don't let the innocent act fool you. A week earlier, she and Joey put red dye in my laundry, making me walk around with pink shirts all year." That was part of a pranking war that went on between us for months. I can't remember what he did before that, but I know that Marcus and Frankie were the first to start.

I want to defend myself, but movement pulls my eyes to the door.

Briefly, my gaze meets Sam's, and a slight smile begins tugging at the corner of her mouth before she catches sight of Marcus. Her expression hardens again along with her posture.

Even Marcus suddenly seems tense by her appearance. "Sam, this is Zoë's brother, Marcus."

Her cold glare remains, but not her threatening posture. I can only assume that it's Sam's intimidating aura that is causing his discomfort. By now, I've seen it happen so often, I barely notice.

"You seem to be busy, we can meet up at the end of the week to talk." Not giving me much time to react, he kisses my forehead and grabs his jacket before heading out.

I attempt to walk him out, but his large steps are out the door before I can even register what was happening. His behavior is off-putting, normally around women, he is much more of a flirt.

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