My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257

“Smart?” he said, shaking his head like I’d said something funny, “Gianna, look at yourself. You have a perfect face and a body that makes me stop breathing. Why would you waste your time trying to be smart? You don’t need a brain when you have an ass like that.”

He leaned in, kissing the top of my foot before looking back into my eyes.

“Just stay quiet and look beautiful for me,” he whispered, “That’s all you’ll ever have to do.”

I stared at him, the sting in my feet feeling distant compared to the weird, hollow thud in my chest. He said it like it was a compliment, like he was saving me from a heavy burden.

“But I like when I understand things, Leone,” I whispered, “When the math actually clicks, or when I can follow a story without the pages turning into a blur… it makes me feel good.”

Leone moved closer, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear, his hand lingering on my cheek. At fourteen, his hands were already starting to get calloused because of the gym, he was already starting to look like his father.

“You are good,” he murmured, his voice dropping into that protective tone he always used. “But all that studying, all that stress? It makes you cry, Gianna. It makes your head ache. Why would I want that for you? I’m going to be the one making the moves. I’m going to be the one everyone fears. You’re just going to be the girl on my arm that everyone envies.”

He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine.

It was the same spark I felt when Doctor Vance turned on the machine, only this time, it wasn’t my feet that were going to be trapped. It was me.

“You’re so lucky,” he whispered into my hair as he stepped up the stairs, “You have the kind of beauty that means you never have to be anything else.”

I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to feel lucky. I was fourteen, I was in love, and I had a mansion. I told myself that was enough.

He carried me up the grand staircase and down a hallway. When we reached the master suite, he set me down on the edge of the massive bed.

Leone kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, leaning his back against the tufted velvet headboard. He reached out, pulling me toward him until I was tucked against his side. I let out a shaky breath, resting my head on his chest, listening to the strong thumping of his heart. It was the only sound in the room, and for a second, the pain in my feet felt dull and far away.