Forbidden Stranger

I don't even make it to the curb before it hits me.

My brother.

The thought lands sharp and unforgiving, like my body waited until the danger passed to remind me what I left behind.

"Shit," I mutter.

Bella looked up instantly. "What?"

"My brother," I say, already pulling my phone out. "He's still in the car."

Her eyes widen. "You left him?"

"I told him to lock the doors," I say. "He's fine. Probably bored. Possibly traumatized."

Bella snorts despite herself. "You're unbelievable."

"I know."

I texted him quickly.

Me: You alive?

Three dots appear immediately.

Brother: I'm hungry, and this car smells like stress.

Relief loosens something tight in my chest.

Me: I'm coming. Don't move.

I slid the phone back into my pocket and exhaled. "I can't go to Eric's office yet."

Bella blinks. "Excuse me?"

"I have to drop him off first."

She stares at me. Then laughs. "Of course you do. Of course, that's who you are."

We started walking fast toward the parking structure. The city hum blurs as my mind recalibrates-logistics, timing, consequences.

Bella glances at me sideways. "You realize this makes you ten times more dangerous, right."

"How."

"Because you don't chase power," she says. "You juggle it."

I don't respond. I don't need to.

We reach the car. My brother is slouched in the passenger seat, headphones on, chewing gum aggressively. He lights up when he sees me.

"Finally," he says as I unlock the door. "I thought you joined a cult."

"Get out," I tell him.

Bella waves. "Hi, I'm the reason your sister is stressed."

He squints at her. "That tracks."

I shove him gently toward the sidewalk. "Go home. Eat something. Don't tell Mom yet."

He pauses. "Did you win?"

I look at him. Really look.

"I didn't lose," I say.

He grins. "Knew it."

When he's gone, I lean back against the car for half a second longer than necessary.

Bella watches me quietly. "Are you okay?"

"I will be," I say again.

My phone buzzes.

Eric.

Eric: Running late?

I stare at the screen.

I don't know why my chest tightens the way it does. I don't know why it matters that he noticed the delay. I don't know why I don't lie.

Me: Had to handle something. I'll still be there.

The reply comes almost immediately.

Eric: Family?

I hesitate.

Then-

Me: Yes.

Three dots appear. Stop. Appear again.

Eric: Take your time. We'll adjust.

That shouldn't affect me.

It does.

Because no one in power ever says we when they mean you.

Bella watched my face change. "He said something."

"He adjusted," I say.

Her expression sharpens. "That's not nothing."

"No," I agree quietly. "It's not."

I slide into the driver's seat, hands steady on the wheel, heart doing something unfamiliar.

This isn't an attraction yet.

It's recognition.

And that might be worse.