My Brother’s Lethal Partner Fell for Me

Julian is my twin brother. I rule the Greek scene at our Ivy League. We use different last names. Because of that, rumors fly. People think he’s just my pathetic lapdog. They think he bows to my red-bottom heels. His cold, lethal partner, Silas, finally had enough. He pinned Julian against a wall. He growled. "Do you really have to be that woman’s personal pet?" My brother just looked dazed. "She’s actually really sweet to me in private." Silas casually wiped the blood off his knuckles. He just came from crippling a guy at an underground fight club. He scoffed. "Just wait. Give me a month. I’ll rip that Black Widow’s mask right off." A month later, I had two lethal beasts willingly groveling at my feet. This time, it was my brother who grabbed Silas by the collar. Julian was losing his mind. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" Silas slowly buttoned his shirt. He carefully covered the bite mark of submission on his collarbone. His eyes were dead calm. "I think you’re heavily biased against her." Chapter 1 Julian and I are fraternal twins. He uses a fake last name. I use our mother's maiden name. We look completely different. Nobody knows we're related. I tortured him for twelve years at a top-tier Upper East Side prep school. Julian finally broke. He got his Ivy League acceptance letter. He teared up. "I'm finally free from this demon!" I leaned against the doorframe. I slowly sipped my Negroni. My pathetic twin actually thought he was free. It was hilarious. Julian muttered to himself. He trembled with excitement. "I'm going to college. Starting a new life. No more—" "No more what?" My voice dropped the room's temperature. Julian went pale. He almost dropped the letter. Marco, our family bodyguard, took one look at me. He bolted from the room like he'd seen a ghost. "S-sister? What are you doing here?" "Just checking on my sweet little brother." I walked in. I savored that familiar fear in his eyes. "Let me see the letter." "No, this is my—" I shot him a look. He let go instantly. Good boy. I took the paper. I pretended to read it. Then I pulled an identical acceptance letter from my purse. "You mean this one?" I sat on his bed. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Julian drop to his knees. "No... impossible..." He practically wailed. "There's no way! I applied to twelve schools! You couldn't possibly—" "Of course I could." I crossed my legs. "I spent my entire summer on this. I used the family's dark money. I donated a new building to the board. I even sent the family lawyers to 'visit' the admissions director. We made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Did you think it was hard?" I took a sip of my bitter drink. "Besides, how could I let my favorite toy run away?" "Why!" Julian screamed at the ceiling. "Why won't you let me go!" I couldn't help but laugh. "Because torturing you is fun. Twelve years of prep school, and you never disappointed me. Now we have four years of college to keep playing." Seeing him sprawled on the floor in total despair put me in a great mood. "But..." I dragged out the word. "I'm not a monster. On campus, we pretend we don't know each other. I'll be the Manhattan old-money heiress. You be the average rich kid." Julian looked up. A tiny spark of hope flashed in his eyes. Naive little thing. "But in private..." My smile widened. "You're still my personal slave. Always." ... I wasn't lying. First day of classes. I stood outside the sorority house. I soaked in the envious stares. Custom Tom Ford suit. Flawless Graff diamonds. Lethal Louboutin red-bottoms. Every detail screamed power. Not far away, Julian stood with his roommate. I didn't say hi. That roommate was Silas Romano. He was interesting. Six-foot-three. Broad shoulders. Narrow waist. His dark shirt stretched tight over raw muscle. Pale skin paired with sharp, cold Sicilian features. He oozed intimidation. Nobody talked about his background out loud. But rumors flew. They said he was a "Fixer" for a ruthless crime family. The kind of monster who kicks down a rival’s door at midnight and leaves no survivors. Julian saw me. He immediately looked away. That made Silas stare at him. Silas dropped his voice. "What's up, man? Is that the girl you're crushing on?" Julian's voice cracked in pure panic. "No! I'm not! Shut the fuck up!" Silas sighed in relief. "Good. A lethal guy like you needs someone docile." Julian suddenly stopped. He glared at Silas. "Who the hell says she isn't perfect?" Silas froze. He was completely lost by his friend's outburst. "I didn't say she wasn't perfect. I just said you need someone docile..." "I'd burn the Commission down for Seraphina! I won't let anyone talk shit about her. She is my religion!" Julian looked fiercely devoted. He looked ready to take a bullet for me on the spot. If he hadn't secretly glanced at me for approval, I might have swiped my black card and bought him a Rolex as a reward. Silas took a step back. "Whoever you are, get out of my best friend's body right now." I couldn't watch this anymore. I pulled out my phone and texted Julian. [That's enough.] [Understood! Don't listen to him, Queen. You will always be the most perfect woman in the world to me ] I sent him five thousand dollars. I told him to get lost. [Long live the Queen! I'll take my leave!] Chapter 2 Friday night. I grabbed dinner with the sorority girls at The Ivy Club. This place only allowed the ultra-elite. One dish here cost as much as a luxury car. "Oh my god, Seraphina, look!" Madison smacked my arm. "That's Silas, the frat president!" I followed her gaze. Silas and Julian sat at the table right behind us. They were quietly discussing illegal casino turfs in Brooklyn. "He's literally perfect!" Chloe stared at Silas. She was obsessed. "That face. That body. That predatory vibe..." I casually cut my steak. "He's not bad to look at." I put down my knife. I raised my voice just enough. "But speaking of perfect, it reminds me of people born broken. Like some poor loser with a crooked nose." My voice carried perfectly to the table behind us. "What do you mean?" Madison asked. "Nothing." I smiled. "I just remembered a story. Back in Sicily, a quack doctor crushed a baby's nose with forceps at birth. Left him disfigured. A permanent defect." I intentionally glanced at Julian. He turned around. His eyes instantly welled up with tears. It put me in a great mood. This trick never failed. When we were kids, I made him cry with this same joke. I had to bribe him with Swiss truffles. He got three cavities. The dental bills were astronomical. Julian quickly covered his mouth. He was terrified he'd sob out loud. Silas noticed Julian acting weird. Anger flashed in Silas's eyes. He started rubbing his pinky ring. That was his signature tell before a kill. But Julian grabbed his wrist. "Don't..." Julian's eyes actually looked nostalgic. "She noticed me. That means she still cares." My girls were stunned. "Jesus," Chloe gasped. "Did you put a hex on that boy?" I was about to answer. The waiter brought our after-dinner fruit. A plate of fresh cherries. I took a delicate bite. Sweet juice burst on my tongue. But I forgot to ask for a napkin. I snapped my fingers. Just a soft, quiet snap. A miracle happened. Julian shot up like lightning. He rushed to my table. He dropped to one knee. He completely ignored the dirt ruining his bespoke suit. He cupped his hands reverently right under my chin. I spit the cherry pit right into his palm. The entire club went dead silent. The waiter's hand shook. He spilled two glasses of whiskey. People at nearby tables whipped their heads around. They stared at the absolute spectacle. A man. Kneeling in front of a woman. Catching her spit-out pit with his bare hands. It was worse than slavery. "Thank you, my Queen," Julian whispered. A sick gleam of satisfaction shone in his eyes. I gave an approving nod. "Go wash your hands." A heavy hand locked around Julian's neck. "What the fuck are you doing?" Silas dragged Julian up. He was furious. "We are Men of Honor! Even the lowest street soldier has his pride! You are not a slave!" I shot Silas an annoyed look. "Let him go." Silas glared at me. "Who the hell do you think you are?" "I'm the person he makes coffee runs for," I said casually. "Venti iced Americano. Two extra shots. No ice. Cold water only. Bring it here in three minutes. Go, Julian." Julian snapped to attention. He broke free from Silas's grip. "Yes, ma'am! Right away!" He bolted out of the club at a hundred miles an hour. He left a total mess behind. Now, it was just me and Silas. I lazily swirled my wine glass. I looked at him with pure provocation. Silas slammed his hands onto my chair. His towering frame completely caged me in. I smelled cold mint and raw, dangerous power. His eyes locked onto mine. Chapter 3 His gaze flicked down to my lips for a fraction of a second, before snapping back to my eyes, furious at himself. "Listen to me, Ms. Blackwood." Silas barely contained his rage. He was so close. I felt his hot breath on my neck. "Whatever sick game you're playing to control my best friend, end it." I laughed softly. "Control? You mean the things Julian willingly does for me?" "Willingly?" Fury burned in his eyes. "No self-respecting man willingly acts like a woman's lapdog!" "Then you'd be wrong." I gracefully set down my glass. My fingertips intentionally brushed his knuckles. His muscles instantly tensed up. I loved it. "Julian has served me for eighteen years. He never complains. Although..." I paused. I savored the shock on his face. "Honestly, I am getting bored. You play with the same toy for long enough, it loses its thrill." Silas widened his eyes. "What did you say?" "I'm saying..." I gave him a taunting look. "Maybe it's time for a replacement. Like you." The air froze. Silas clenched his fists. Veins popped on his hands. "You think I'd get on my knees for you? Like Julian?" "Why not?" I tilted my head. I studied him like a rare beast. "You care about Julian so much. You take his place. He goes free." "Does Julian know your true colors?" Silas scoffed. His breathing grew heavy. "Does he know you're just a toxic bitch who plays with men?" "Of course he does." I shrugged. "In high school, Julian told everyone I was a Black Widow. He made every guy think they'd end up in a body bag if they approached me. Can't blame him. He told the truth." Silas was stunned. He expected me to deny it. He thought I'd play the victim. But I owned it. And I was damn proud of it. "You..." Silas's voice turned hoarse. His Adam's apple bobbed. "Let me think about it." He turned and walked away. "Seraphina!" Madison leaned in. Her eyes shined with gossip. "What was that? Is that psycho secretly in love with Julian?" "Highly likely," I said vaguely. "Guy friendships get pretty blurry sometimes." Silas's POV I walked back into the frat house. Julian barged in right after me. He was out of breath. He held a cheap black coffee from a street cart. He clutched a handful of brown sugar packets. "Four bucks," he panted. "The cheapest coffee. I added the sugar myself." I looked at him. A wave of deep pity washed over me. "Julian," I said heavily. "Do you know what that woman drank at the club?" "No." Julian shook his head. "Dom Pérignon 1996. A three-thousand-dollar vintage champagne." My voice shook. "And she made you wait in line for four-dollar street garbage!" Julian blinked. "Isn't all coffee the same?" "No, it's not!" I roared. "She made you hand-pick her sugar! She spit a cherry pit into your bare hands! Remember last month? You had a 104-degree fever. That bitch sent one text. She wanted white truffle mousse from a private chef. You drove four hours in a thunderstorm!" "Wasn't I supposed to?" Julian looked completely confused. "Ms. Blackwood was in a bad mood. I had to cheer her up." I gave up. "Julian." I closed my eyes in agony. "You are the ultimate lapdog. You are a disgrace to our Sicilian blood." "What's a lapdog?" Julian asked innocently. I collapsed onto the couch. This guy was beyond saving. But I couldn't watch my best friend get played by that venomous woman. I made up my mind. "Just wait, Julian." I clenched my fists. "Give me a month. I'll show you exactly who that woman really is." Chapter 4 Seraphina's POV That night, I laid in bed. My phone buzzed. A friend request on Signal. Silas Romano. Interesting. The ruthless mafia prince was delivering himself to my doorstep. I accepted. Three seconds later. A message. [What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?] Straight to the point. I liked his style. I decided to test his limits. [A French croissant from Balthazar. Add a poached egg and premium Parma ham. Bring white truffle butter.] [Where is that?] [The Upper East Side. Ten miles away. Have it in my lobby before 7 AM.] Five full minutes passed. [Fine.] I smiled. Making this arrogant beast run ten miles to fetch breakfast was pure entertainment. The next morning. 6:50 AM. My doorman called. Breakfast arrived. I went downstairs in my silk pajamas. A breathtaking sight waited for me. Six-foot-three Silas stood in my marble lobby. He wore a black trench coat. He held an exquisite food box. He radiated a freezing, lethal aura. He looked exactly like a forcibly chained wolf. Passing residents took detours to avoid him. "Ms. Blackwood." His voice was low. Detached. "Your breakfast." I took the box. I opened it to inspect. The croissant was perfect. The egg was flawless. I took a bite. I immediately frowned. "What is this?" I glared at him. "Where's the white truffle butter?" Silas paused. "What?" "I asked for white truffle butter." My voice sharpened. "Julian never makes rookie mistakes. He memorized all my preferences." Silas's face darkened. "Do it again," I ordered. "No way." Silas coldly refused. "I am not your slave." He took a massive step forward. His towering frame cast a shadow over me. But I didn't flinch. I lazily leaned against the railing. I tilted my chin up. "Is that so?" I casually pulled out my phone. "Then I'll just punish Julian. He highly recommended you. Didn't he?" A complete lie. But Silas didn't know that. "Since you're so disobedient..." I lazily waved my hand. "Come here. Drop to your knees. Kiss my shoes." "Absolutely not." Silas stepped back. A dangerous, violent glint flashed in his eyes. "Alright then." I dialed Julian's number. It rang three times. "Julian. Time to wake up." My voice dripped with honey. "Seraphina?" Julian sounded groggy. "It's only seven..." "I know, baby. I need a tiny favor." I used my softest tone. "Slap yourself." Silence. Then, a sharp, crisp SMACK. "Is one enough?" Julian asked. Silas went dead pale. He snatched my phone. He yelled into the receiver. "Enough! That's enough!" But the call had already disconnected. Knowing my brother, he probably just went right back to sleep. Silas handed my phone back. His hands shook. His eyes burned with shock and absolute rage. "You are a literal demon." His voice was hoarse. His solid chest heaved violently. "I appreciate the compliment." I smiled gracefully. My cool fingertips reached up. I grabbed his jaw. Because of our massive height difference, I forced him to lower his proud gaze. "Now," I stared into his shrinking pupils. I felt his entire body go stiff. "Are you still refusing to kiss my shoes?" Silas closed his eyes. He took a ragged breath. I watched the war inside his head. This fiercely proud man. A man who never bowed to anyone. He was actually considering submission. All for Julian. "At least..." He gritted his teeth. The tips of his ears burned red from absolute humiliation. His voice sounded like gravel. "...find somewhere private."