On Thin Ice: A Forbidden Step Siblings Affair.

Raelynn

"Pack your bags, we're moving." My mother's words echo in my mind as I shove my clothes angrily into my box.

This week has been hell, scratch that, way worse than hell. Yesterday, I walked in on the one person I called my best friend, Chloe, and my boyfriend, Peter, making out.

Peter and I were to hang out at his place, but he couldn't because he suddenly caught the flu. Being the sweet and naive girlfriend I was, I decided to go over and check on him. Bring him some soup and tissues.

I did not need to knock because I know his passcode...one two three four five six, yes, he is an idiot.

Turns out I should have just minded my business and stayed at home, then maybe I wouldn't have had to walk on both of them right there on his couch, her black hair tangled in his fingers.

The worst thing was that they did not even feel bad about it. Chloe just smirked, and Peter's excuse? "You've been depressed lately, and we needed to rely on each other."

I throw another shirt into my suitcase.

'Depressed? I was only depressed because I was stuck with losers like you two.'

I groan, slamming my box shut and take a deep breath, trying to get them both out of my mind.

"Raelynn, get down right at this instant," my mum screams from downstairs.

"I'm coming, mother!" I yell back, yanking the suitcase off my bed.

As if last night wasn't hard enough, I came back to hear my mum say we're moving all the way to Tribeca, and we stay in Queens Village, meaning an hour and sixteen minutes' drive, and she will not even tell me the reason.

I give one more glance at my now-empty bedroom, and to some extent, I'm going to miss this place.

A sigh escapes my lips as I drag my luggage down the stairs with a grunt. When my mum sees me, she crosses her arms and frowns.

"I told you to get ready last night. Now you are going to make us late, and it's your fault."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should have given me a little more notice," I snap. "Or better yet, maybe I'll just go live with dad."

The moment the words leave my mouth, I instantly regret them. The world seems to freeze for a moment, and I can actually see my mother's hand tremble.

"Raelynn..." Her voice is softer now, but the pain behind it is enough to make my stomach twist into knots with regret. I should know better than to bring him up.

She is still scared. After everything he did to us...almost did to me, she'd have to be.

I clear my throat awkwardly, and she shakes her head to snap out of it.

"Take your things out and make sure not to forget anything."

I nod and do what she asks, then head to the mailbox. We will not need the new people moving in going through our mail...especially them.

"To Sarah."

No sender's name or address...again.

I stare at the five mail in my hands, a shiver runs down my spine. Quickly, I stuff them into my bag, so mum doesn't see them. Hopefully, when we get to our new place, I'll find a place to hide them from her, the way I did here.

"Let's go."

Mum shouts, I grip my bag tighter, my heart racing, before rushing to the car.

The car is quiet for a moment, but something feels weird. I mean, why are we moving, and where did we even get the money to move to Tribeca? That's a place for rich people, and mum and I are worse than broke.

"Where are we going?" I finally decide to ask.

But mum just shrugs. "You'll see."

I groan, rolling my eyes. My thoughts drift back to Chloe and Peter. I hate that we're moving. I hate that it makes me feel like I'm running away and giving them room to play happy couple after what they have done to me.

Eventually, I get tired, and I do not even realize when I drift off to sleep.

Hours later mum wakes me up, and my eyes widen, sleep immediately vanishing as I stare at the mansion in front of me. The car slows in front of a massive iron gate, which swings open as if on cue. Beyond it is a mansion straight out of a movie...white pillars, pristine gardens, a fountain in the driveway.

"Holy crap," I mutter, sitting up straighter. "Did you win the lottery? Or take out some insanely huge loan that we'll never pay off?"

Mom rolls her eyes. "Neither. Now stop gawking and help with the bags."

She parks, and I step out, still staring at the house like it might disappear if I blink too hard.

Once she parks, a man approaches her and, with a big smile on her face, she steps out and hugs him.

"You are?"

They pull apart, and the man turns to me, extending a hand. "You must be Raelynn. I've heard so much about you. I'm Edward."

I scowl at his hand. "And how do you know my mother?"

Mum sighs and turns to me. "Rae, this is Edward, my fiancé."

The words hit me like a brick in the face.

'Fiancé? Since when? How? Why'

"You're joking," I say flatly, crossing my arms.

Edward chuckles awkwardly, shoving his hand into his pocket. "I know this is a lot to take in..."

"Yeah, no kidding."

"Raelynn, that's enough." Mum snaps. "Edward has been kind to take us in, so I suggest you show some respect."

I bite back a retort, but my glare speaks for itself.

Edward clears his throat. "Why don't I show you your room? I had it set up this morning."

I do not bother responding. Instead, I grab my suitcase and stomp past him, ignoring the man I assume is a butler reaching out for it.

The inside of the house makes me let out a gasp. Everything about it is overwhelming. From the high ceilings with golden chandeliers to the sparkling marble floors and furniture that cost more than I can think of.

I'm so lost in awe, I do not notice someone standing behind me until they're too close, their presence too intense and suffocating.

Before I can turn around, two hands grip my shoulder firmly, keeping me in place.

"Enjoying the view?" The voice is smooth, like a seductive whisper that makes you want to drown in it, but the dangerous edge in it keeps you far away.

A shiver runs down my spine as his hot breath fans the back of my neck.

I try to turn around again, but the grip on my shoulders tightens, not hard enough to hurt, but just enough to remind me how easily it could.

"You should enjoy it," he murmurs, his tone mocking. "After all, you will not be here long."

Raelynn

My heart hammers in my chest, both from the proximity and the irritation crawling up my spine.

Who does he think he is?

The moment I feel his grip relax, I twist sharply and shove him hard in the chest. He staggers back slightly, his expression unreadable.

I open my mouth, curses ready to fly, but the second I lock eyes with him, all the words get stuck in my throat.

Damn it.

He is gorgeous.

Brown hair that falls effortlessly, like he has just run his fingers through it, frames his chiseled features. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and those dark blue eyes-piercing, cold-narrow at me with obvious disdain.

I snap myself out of it.

"You must be Grayson," I force out as calmly as I can.

He smirks, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "And you must be the charity case."

The insult lands like a slap, sharp and cold, but I refuse to flinch, squaring my shoulders.

"Says the overprivileged brat."

His smirk widens, and somehow that makes him look even more dangerous. He stalks closer to me. Every nerve in me screams at me to run away, but I can't. I won't.

The tension wraps around us as he stands so close I can see the scar above his brow.

"Careful, sunshine. You're already on thin ice."

I clench my fists at the nickname, my nails digging into my palms. "Good," I snap, mentally thanking God my voice sounds more confident than I feel. "Maybe it'll break, and I can leave."

I expect him to bite back, but he just stares at me intensely, and that makes me even more nervous.

I've dealt with bullies before; I know how to handle them. But there's something about the way he looks at me-like I'm nothing but a bug he's debating whether or not to squash-that sends a chill down my spine.

A low, humorless chuckle escapes his lips, breaking the silence. He leans in slightly, his fingers brushing my cheek. My breath catches, and I swat his hand away, the movement sharp and defensive.

He tsks, stepping back, but his gaze never leaves me.

"I'm not scared of you, you psycho."

He grins, turning his back and walking away as he calls over his shoulder, "Say that again once you stop trembling."

As his figure vanishes, I let go of the breath I've been holding.

I drag my box up the steps. At the top of the stairs, a girl who looks exactly like Grayson-but the female version-stands waiting. She glowers at me with disgust, like I'm a piece of gum that happened to stick under her perfect Louboutin heels.

I keep my expression neutral as I continue tugging my box up, but once I move, she moves too, walking up to me. Rather than just passing by, she kicks my box, causing it to fall back down the stairs.

I turn to her, my eyes wide, but she just shrugs and gives me a mocking smirk before continuing down.

I sigh at the immaturity and head down to get my box, but she reaches it before me and kicks it even farther.

I turn to her sharply. "What is wrong with you?"

She chuckles, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You've got guts, I'll give you that." Her face twists back into its original scowl. "But it won't last long. You can never stay here."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Why? Scared daddy might like me better?"

Her eyes flash with anger. She looks like a cat ready to pounce. But then she gives me a cold smile.

"You'll regret that," she says softly, her tone like a whisper, but the threat in it is clear.

Before I can respond, she turns on her heels and walks away, leaving me alone at the base of the stairs.

I let out a shaky breath and grip my suitcase tighter. My chest tightens with anger and frustration, but I swallow it down, dragging my suitcase up the stairs again.

I push open the door of the room Edward had pointed to as mine, sighing in relief at the sight of the bed.

The room is probably twice-okay, thrice-my old room AND living room combined. There's a queen-size bed, a walk-in closet, and a huge glass window that overlooks the garden.

I fall onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Not even the luxury of this house makes me feel better. I definitely wouldn't have come if Mum had told me we were moving in with her so-called fiancé.

The door opens and Mum steps in, but rather than sitting down and talking as usual, she just stands by the door, looking slightly tense.

"Mum, are you-"

"Come down. Edward wants us to have a family dinner."

And then she's gone. My brows furrow in confusion, and my stomach churns at the fact that I'll have to see Grayson and his twin so soon again.

The dining room is far from the warm, picture-perfect family scene I imagined Edward might try to force. The tension in the room is suffocating. Edward looks like he's about to explode, Mum keeps a poker face, but her hands are clenched together, and Grayson and his sister are both dressed like they're heading to a nightclub, not a family dinner.

My eyes fall on Grayson despite myself. He stands there in a leather jacket, looking like a rebellious asshole. It should be illegal for someone so obnoxious to look that good.

"Grayson, Isabella, I asked a question," Edward snaps, causing me to flinch. "I asked where you're going."

Isabella rolls her eyes, unbothered. "And I told you. Out."

"That's not an answer," Edward growls as he steps toward her. For a moment, I actually think he might hit her, but Grayson stands protectively in front of his sister before anything can happen.

Both father and son stand in what seems like a competitive stare, both unflinching. My heart hammers in my chest, and I wonder if they'll actually fight each other.

But thankfully, Edward takes a step back, his voice going down a tone but still dangerous. "I already told you two we were having a family dinner."

Grayson lets out a cold laugh, his gaze shifting to me. His eyes are dark, full of anger.

"You'll get a family dinner," he mutters, his voice sharp, "when you get rid of them."

And with that, he grabs Isabella's arm and pulls her toward the door.

As they leave, I let out a breath, my head spinning and my heart hammering in my chest.

Something is wrong with this family.

Grayson

The party is already in full swing when we arrive-loud music, sweaty people, and cheap perfumes.

Isa disappears, muttering something about finding her friends.

I walk over to the VIP room, wanting some sort of quietness. Once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the vape from my pocket and take a hit.

The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.

The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room.

This is what I needed. Vaping always happens to cool me off, no matter what's on my mind, which is why, no matter how much Edward whines about it, I don't give a sh*t.

If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn't need a vape in the first place.

Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I'm "damaging myself" or "setting a bad example." Like he's ever given a damn about my well-being. That's his fucking business.

But even the vape isn't strong enough to drown out the thoughts clawing at the edges of my mind.

I lean my head back, staring at the ceiling. And that's when it happens.

Her face flashes in my mind, uninvited and impossible to ignore.

Raelynn.

The image of her standing in the foyer earlier, her stormy gray eyes glaring at me with all the fury of a summer tempest, makes my lips twitch into a smirk.

When I first heard that Edward's new "project" came with a daughter around my age, I didn't care. I looked her up out of curiosity, found out the basics-her school, her grades, her hobbies-but I didn't bother checking what she looked like. It didn't matter.

Or at least, I thought it didn't.

I didn't expect her to look like that.

Like the damn goddess of the sun or something. Her long, wavy blonde hair that seemed to glow under the light, and for a second, I caught myself wondering how it would feel wrapped around my fingers. Would she shiver if I tugged it a bit?

Stormy gray eyes and tempting full lips.

But I especially didn't expect her to be that confident and bratty.

Yeah, sure, she was trembling like a puppy in a storm, but no one dares look me in the eyes, let alone talk back to me-but she did. She stood her ground.

And as much as I hate to say this, it was almost... entertaining.

I take another drag, letting the smoke swirl in my lungs before releasing it. The thought of her makes me want to laugh and punch something all at once.

My phone rings in my pocket. I groan, bringing it out.

Twelve messages from Bridget, ten missed calls.

How the hell did she even get my number, and why does she think it's okay for her to play mom or something?

I keep scowling down at my recent calls, and my gaze hardens when I don't see what I'm unconsciously searching for. Though a part of me knows what to expect.

Zero from Edward.

I shake the thought from my mind as I glance at my hockey team group chat. A sigh escapes my lips as I remember I swore to stay clean this break since we have a competition coming up. But of course, I couldn't even do that.

Fuck it. I'll figure something out.

A knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts.

"Fuck off," I snap, not bothering to look up.

The door creaks open, and Isa steps in, her heels clicking against the floor, her arms crossed.

She flops on the couch beside me, and I scowl at her flushed face. She's been up to something, and my protective brother instincts rise, but I press them down. Neither of us are in a good mood, and I don't need anything adding to my drama.

She eyes the vape with a smirk as I take another hit. "You know Edward's going to have a stroke if he sees you with that."

"Good," I mutter. "Maybe it'll finally get him to shut up."

Isa's face falls slightly. No matter how much she tries to act otherwise, I know she still cares for Edward even after everything he did to our family.

"So," she continues, breaking the awkward silence. "When are you going to begin the plan?"

The plan.

I groan, running a hand through my hair. I have clearly told Isa over and over that I am not going ahead with her petty plan, but she has refused to listen.

I get to my feet, and Isa does the same, her eyebrows raised.

"Let's go then. I'll give you an answer there."

The ride home is pretty quiet. I keep my eyes shut, and I hear Isa tell our driver to go slowly because I'm asleep.

But she has no idea what kind of thoughts are going through my mind, threatening to consume every inch of me.

And I can definitely say none of them revolve around the word "good."

The moment the car comes to a halt, I get out, and Isa follows.

She stops as though she's waiting for the reply I promised her, but I just brush past her and head for the stairs, calling behind me, "Wait here."

I come to a halt in front of Raelynn's room. The door is partially open. Of course, she didn't lock the door. Rookie mistake.

I push open the door and step in. The room is dark, the only light coming from the lamp by her bedside. She sits on her bed, her legs crossed and a novel in her hand.

"You should lock your door," I murmur, and she stiffens at the sound of my voice. "It keeps the monsters out."

"Grayson, I know it's you."

A smirk spreads on my lips as I shut the door with a small click and walk toward her with slow, deliberate strides. "Glad to know I left an unforgettable first impression."

"More like a bad headache," she snaps, her voice steady, though over the light reflecting on her from her lamp, I can see the unease in her eyes. "Just tell me why you're even here."

"I'm here to give you a chance, sunshine."

She scoffs like I'm some delusional kid, and my eyes narrow. "And what exactly is that chance?"

I move without warning, gripping her ankle and pulling her legs off the bed so she's facing me. A startled shriek leaves her lips as she catches herself, hands digging into the sheets.

I lean in, caging her in with my hands on either side of her. Her breath hitches as my lips brush against her ear.

"Run," I whisper. "Run as far as you can. Take your mom with you. Get the fuck out of our lives."

The room is silent. Her fingers clutch the sheets tightly. For a moment, I think I've gotten to her.

Then she lifts her chin, eyes burning with quiet defiance.

"I'm not going anywhere, Grayson," she says. "It's time you accept that."

I straighten, my jaw ticking as I glare at her. For a second, I consider saying something-anything-to wipe that fire from her eyes.

But instead, I turn and walk out without another word.

Isa is waiting for me by the stairs, her lips curling into a satisfied smirk the moment she sees the anger etched across my face.

I let out a frustrated groan, pushing past her as I mutter, "Let's do it."