"That's none of your concern, Devil."
"The hell it's not!" he shouted. "You're my aunt. You're family. And you… with some random guy…"
"He isn't random."
"So who is he?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because… because you wouldn't understand."
They lapsed into tense silence.
"I love him," Scarlett finally admitted.
Pain flashed in Devil's eyes.
"You… you love him?"
"Yes."
"But… is he blackmailing you?"
"No. Someone else is."
"Who?"
"I don't know. But Michael will find them."
"Michael… so that's his name."
She nodded.
Arriving home, they slipped quietly inside.
In the corridor, Devil seized her hand.
"Scarlett… I want to help you."
"You can't."
"Why not?"
"Because this is my fight."
"But—"
She pressed a finger to his lips.
"Please. Just… forget it."
"I can't forget you," he whispered.
Scarlett's heart stuttered.
"What?"
He drew closer—much closer.
"I've tried. God knows how much I've tried. But I… I want you, Scarlett."
"Devil… we can't… it's wrong…"
"I know. But… still…"
He kissed her—soft, desperate, forbidden. Scarlett should have shoved him away. Stopped him.
But she didn't.
For a fleeting moment—just one—she kissed him back.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed. They broke apart instantly.
David appeared from the corridor's other end, eyes sharp and suspicious.
"What are you two doing up so late?" he asked.
"Nothing," Devil said quickly. "Just… talking."
David's gaze lingered on Scarlett's face—swollen lips.
"Interesting," he said, voice low. "Very interesting."
It was three in the morning, but sleep refused to come. The same scenes played endlessly in Scarlett's mind—Michael's golden eyes and the power within him. And then... Devil's kiss.
*Fuck.*
She pressed her pillow against her face, trying to mute the chaos inside her.
Her phone buzzed. An unknown number.
"You couldn't sleep, right? Neither could we. Don't forget: Tomorrow, 8 PM."
Her fingers trembled as she stared at the message. Michael had promised to handle everything, but could he really?
Another notification arrived—a video clip. She played it.
It showed her car outside the motel that very night, with Devil also visible.
Caption:
"Your little partner is interesting too. Does the family know you go on midnight drives with him?"
Her blood ran cold.
Now they were dragging Devil into this mess too.
She quickly replied:
"Don't drag him into this. It's between me and me alone."
The answer came instantly:
"It's you, Scarlett. But those close to you are interesting too. Especially... your nephew. The chemistry between you two... quite forbidden, isn't it?"
Her breath caught.
*They know.*
*Or at least they suspect.*
She threw the phone aside and moved to the window.
Outside was dark, but she felt eyes watching her. Always watching.
***
The next morning, the whole house was awake. In the kitchen, Mia was making breakfast. The lines of stress on her face were deeper than ever.
"Good morning," Scarlett said.
She turned around. "You're up. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah... just a little disturbed."
"Exams stress?"
"Yeah... that."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Didi, are you okay? You look worried."
Mia sighed. "Damien's coming back today. And... there are serious matters to discuss."
"About what?"
"Business. Some deals are going wrong. Someone has poached our biggest clients. And... Damien suspects there's a mole leaking information from inside."
"A mole?"
"Yes. Someone close. Someone we trust."
Scarlett held her hand.
"It'll be okay, Didi."
"I don't know, Scarlett. Sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart and I can't do anything."
She was about to hug her when Devil and David came downstairs, both sweaty in gym clothes.
"Morning, Mom," Devil said, but his eyes were locked intensely on Scarlett.
She looked away.
David grabbed a water bottle from the fridge.
"Aunt Scarlett, are you going to college today?"
"Yeah... in the afternoon."
"Cool. I'm going too. Want to come together?"
"No, I have other plans."
"Please. I need to talk to you. Private."
Mia noticed. "What's up, David?"
"Nothing, Mom. Just asking about an assignment."
Mia smiled. "Good. You both go together."
Scarlett couldn't refuse.
"Okay. One o'clock?"
"Perfect."
Devil slammed his glass hard on the counter. The sound echoed.
Everyone looked at him.
"What's wrong?" Mia asked.
"Nothing. Just slipped."
But his eyes were full of anger as they stared at Scarlett.
***
At noon, Scarlett was getting ready in her room—tight jeans, a white top, hair loose.
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
Devil entered and locked the door behind him.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
He advanced, anger clear on his face.
"You're going to college with David?"
"Yeah. He needs to ask me something—"
"Bullshit. He wants more."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you see? How he looks at you? Where his eyes go?"
She laughed nervously.
"Devil, you're overreacting. He's your brother—"
"Exactly. My brother. And I know him. He's after you."
"You're crazy."
He stepped closer, so close she could smell his cologne.
"I'm not crazy. I'm jealous."
Her heart hammered.
"Devil…"
"Last night. That kiss. I can't forget it."
"That... that was a mistake—"
"Lies. You felt it too. I know."
His hands moved to her waist, pulling her close.
"We can't do this," she said, voice weak.
"Why not?"
"Because... because it's wrong. You're my nephew—"
"Fuck that," he said and kissed her.
This kiss was different from last night—rough, demanding, desperate.
Her hands pushed his chest, trying to shove him away.
But she didn't.
Her fingers tangled in his shirt, pulling him closer.
He pressed her against the wall, his entire body weighing against hers.
She could feel his hardness against her thigh.
"Devil... stop..." she whispered, but her words were swallowed by his lips.
His hands slipped down, undoing her jeans' button.
"We need to stop..." she tried again.
"Why?" He kissed her neck. "You want this. I know."
And it was true. She wanted him.
His hands slid inside her jeans, rubbing over her panties.
"Fuck... you're so wet..." he whispered.
"Devil... please..."
"Please what? Should I stop? Or continue?"
His fingers slipped inside her panties.
"Ahhh..." she moaned.
He smiled. "That's what I wanted to hear."
One finger entered. Then another.
In and out. Slow, teasing.
"Faster..." she begged.
"No. I want to make you beg."
"Please... Devil... please..."
He laughed. "Good girl."
His pace quickened. Fingers moving faster. His thumb circling her clit.
Her legs shook. Without the wall's support, she would have collapsed.
"I... I'm close..." she gasped.
"Look at me," he commanded.
She met his gray eyes, intense and dark.
"Say my name."
"Devil..."
"Louder."
"Devil!"
"Good. Now cum. For me."
And she did. Waves of pleasure surged through her body.
Her legs quivered. If he hadn't held her, she would have fallen.
He led her to the bed, sat her down.
Then began removing his shirt.
Perfect body. Toned abs. Strong arms.
He unbuttoned his jeans.
"Now it's my turn," he said.
But then—
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
"Scarlett? Are you in there?"
David's voice.
They froze.
"Fuck," Devil whispered.
"One minute!" she answered quickly.
Devil hurried to put his shirt on. Scarlett fixed her jeans.
"Come out of the bathroom," she said. "I'll open the door."
He nodded, hiding inside the bathroom.
She took a deep breath and opened the door.
David stood there, eyes scanning her face.
"You okay? Your face is red."
"Yeah... just... felt hot."
He looked inside the room. "Was Devil here?"
"No. Why?"
He watched her suspiciously.
"Anyway, shall we go? We're running late."
"Yeah. Just two more minutes."
She closed the door.
Devil came out of the bathroom.
"He's suspicious," Devil said.
"I know."
"We have to be careful."
"Yeah."
He came close and kissed her forehead.
"This isn't over," he whispered.
"I know."
***
In the car with David driving, silence stretched.
Finally, he said,
"There's something between you and Devil, right?"
Her heart stopped.
"What?"
"I'm not blind, Aunt Scarlett. The way he looks at you. How you get nervous around him."
"You're wrong—"
"Am I?" he looked at her. "Last night. You two were very close in the corridor."
"We were just talking—"
"Bullshit."
He pulled over on an empty road.
Faced her completely.
"I get it, Aunt Scarlett. You're young. Attractive. And Devil... he's handsome too. But this relationship... it's forbidden."
"David—"
"But," he took her hand, "I'm not judging you."
She saw something dark in his eyes.
"Actually," he continued, "I understand. Because... I want you too."
Her breath stopped.
"What?"
His other hand came to her face, stroking gently.
"Yes. I know it's wrong. But every time I see you, I can't control myself."
"David, no—"
"Last night, when I saw you with Devil... I got jealous. I wanted you with me."
This nightmare was beyond belief. Both brothers... both...
"This can't happen," she said.
"Why not?"
"Because... because you're both my nephews. It's... very wrong."
"So? No one will find out."
His face came close.
"David, please—"
"Just one kiss. Please."
And he kissed her.
Soft. Gentle. Completely different from Devil.
For a moment, she was shocked.
Then she pushed him away.
"No! This is too much!"
She opened the car door and rushed out.
"Scarlett, wait—"
She didn't listen. Just ran.
On the roadside. Anywhere.
Her phone rang. Michael.
She answered.
"Scarlett, where are you?"
"I... I don't know... everything's a mess..."
"Calm down. Tell me what happened."
She told everything: Devil, David, the kiss. Everything.
A long silence.
Then his voice, cold and dangerous.
"They won't touch you. I'll make sure of that."
"Michael, please. Don't do anything—"
"I'll do what's necessary. You're mine, Scarlett. Only mine. No one will touch you."
His possessiveness was terrifying, yet comforting.
"Listen," he said. "Don't go to the warehouse tonight. I'm going. I'll deal with the blackmailers."
"But what if something goes wrong—"
"Nothing will happen. Trust me."
"Okay."
"And Scarlett?"
"Yes?"
"Tonight. You'll meet me. Same place. I need to... remind you again. Remind you who you belong to."
His words lit a fire inside her.
"I... I'll come."
"Good girl."
He hung up.
She stood still.
Then another call.
Not unknown this time. It was Mom. Living in another city.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Scarlett, beta. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Mom. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I just missed you."
"Aww. Miss you too."
"By the way," her voice had something off, "I'm coming to California next week. Some work."
"Oh? What work?"
"Just some... personal. Actually... I have to meet someone."
"Someone?"
A pause.
"An... old friend. His name... Michael."
Time froze.
The world stopped.
"What... what did you say?"
"Michael. You don't know him. A very old friend. Actually... he's not just a friend. We... we have a complicated history."
Her hands almost dropped the phone.
*Michael.*
*My Mom knows Michael.*
*Complicated history.*
"Scarlett? Are you there?"
"Yes... yes, I'm here."
"Okay. I'll call you later. Take care, beta."
"You too."
The call ended.
She was standing on the roadside. Shocked. Confused.
*Michael and my Mom.*
*Complicated history.*
What did it mean?
Then a black car stopped in front of her.
Window rolled down.
A man inside. Sunglasses. Black suit.
"Miss Scarlett?"
"Who are you?"
"Warehouse. Eight PM. Don't be late. Or..."
He threw an envelope at her.
Then the car sped off.
She picked it up and opened it.
Inside, a photo.
Today's. Just now.
Her and David. Kissing in the car.