My Ruthless Stepbrother (Completed)

CHAPTER 9

NINE: "Property." ✍️

"You live here, Irryn?"

I smiled a little and shook my head to Ives's question. Ives was a current guest at the resort, and I had just met him.

"I'm actually from Sta. Cruz in Koronadal City."

"I see. So, you're here for this summer vacation?"

I nodded. "Almost like that."

"How come almost?" You're not sure how long you'll be staying here?" Durand, on the other hand, laughed.

"The truth is I'm here with my mom because her fiancé is living here."

"Oh, here to bond with your stepfamily, huh?" It was Ives.

I nodded. "Exactly. How about you? Do you actually reside here, or are you just visiting for the summer?"

We were talking for almost a few hours and it was almost dawn.

Ives and Durand are cousins, almost like real brothers because they're really close. I met them earlier when they came near me and gave me a turtle, which made me immediately liked them. After that, they introduced themselves to me and we started being friends and talking a lot. I could see they're kind and friendly.

"Tourists. We're here to visit some of our relatives and take a vacation, but I reside on Surallah." Ives voiced.

"I reside on Caloocan, Poblacion." Durand followed.

I simply nodded. If I look them closely, I believe Durand is little older than Ives.

He's probably the same age as my second stepbrother Zack, in his late teens or early twenties. Ives, on the other hand, appears to be one year older than me.

"When are you going to return to your homes?"

We walked down the beach and breathing in the fresh air of nature. They were both nice and simple to get along with, in my opinion. Cool.

"Perhaps in the last week of May." Ives gave a boyish grin. "So that we could really enjoy our summer vacation, and when we returned, it was time to go back to school, as well."

"Right," Durand concurred.

I looked over at the turtle the latter was carrying.

"Wanna hold it for the last time?" he asked me when he noticed me looking at it.

I nodded and smiled. I gave him my hand, and he carefully placed the turtle on it.

"What about you, Ryn? When are you returning to your hometown?" he queried.

It's been over three weeks since mom and I came and began living with uncle Alanson's family.

"I'm not sure when, but I guess we're not going back to our house anymore." Maybe we'll be staying at my stepfamily's house permanently."

"I wish we could meet you on Koronadal another time," Ives added.

I nodded. Their residences are just near my city, so, why not? Guess, it would only take them one hour to travel. "We will."

"Let's hang out there some other time!" Durand suggested.

"Sure." I agreed.

I sat in front of the sea's calming waves before releasing the turtle on my hand. Ives even gently guided the turtle out of my hands. The turtle appeared to be relieved that he had been returned to his natural habitat.

"Until next time, my friend!" he said, waving to the turtle.

"Better for it to eventually go back to its home and live on its own," I uttered as I watched the turtle wander away from us.

I stood up and straightened myself. I looked at the two boys and noticed that they were both smiling at me.

"Are you relieved that we've finally freed it, Ryn?" Durand enthusiastically asked.

I agreed by nodding. "Yes."

"Let's return now." Ives started to walk back to the bench.

They both appeared to be carefree, polite, and compassionate. If only the Lamont brothers were as considerate as this. Ryle certainly does, but what about Zack? A strong NO.

"Irryn!"

We all turned to look at the baritone who had called my name. It was the same scary Zack as before!

He was just in my mind at the time. But now, he's walking beside us!

When he arrived quickly, my heart rate increased to an abnormal level.

He's furious!

He grabbed my arm with no mercy, and I nearly groaned in pain. "Ah, Zack!"

"Who are you?! Let her go! You're hurting her!" Ives immediately tried to rescue me.

Though calm, he appeared to be ready to confront my wicked stepbrother!

Zack pointed his finger at him. "You shut up! If you don't want your a$$ getting kicked out of here, you better shut up and don't mess with me!"

"What are you doing, Zack? Ouch! " I almost cried because of his strong grip.

The more I struggle to retrieve my arm from him, the tighter his clutch on me becomes. His iron hand feels like it's going to break my bones!

"What? Aren't you so full of yourself for speaking that way to us?" Durand spoke on him, too.

Zack looked at the latter. He appears to be preparing to kill both of them right away! The tension between the three of them is obvious! I couldn't help but worry about Ives and Durand because, despite being partners, their strengths appear to be nothing in comparison to Zack's dangerous physical power, especially since he appears to be instigated and triggered!

"Who do you think you are?!?" Ives spoke out once more.

Zack scowled grimly at the boys. "Neither of you would want to know who you're talking to right now."

Now that he's calm yet dangerous, I'm afraid he'll do something bad that will result in both of them getting beaten up. I'm concerned about my new friends' safety!

I instantly nodded my head at Ives and Durand, warning them not to fight him because we don't know what will happen next, plus Zack seems to be capable of committing a crime!

But the two didn't listen to me. They were going to fight back no matter what.

"Release Irryn immediately," Durand said calmly but firmly.

Zack grinned even more. "Do you honestly believe I'll listen to you?"

"Durand and Ives, please go now," I begged my friends.

I wouldn't let them suffer as a result of Zack's brutality!

"Please, guys! Please!"

"No, Ryn. We can't leave you with this brute here," Ives pointed a finger on my stepbrother. "Whoever he is, he has no right to abuse and mistreat you!"

"Please, Ives. You have no idea what he's capable of!"

"Ha! It does not matter who I am! The real question is what this little girl has to do with me. Do you both want to know who she is to me?"

They didn't say anything but waited for him to continue.

"This lady..." Zack gave me a mocking glance. "She's my property—a girl from my home."