My Stepbrother Wants Me-Chapter 186: Failed Attempts at Winning Catherine.

Catherine’s POV

As I was packing my bag, a notification popped on my phone. It was a message from Dante.

I’m waiting for you outside. Wanna ask you something.

I let out a long sigh, staring at the screen. I was already burned out for the day and really hoped to get home after school but with Dante’s request, I couldn’t.

"Is that Lucy calling?" Tessa asked, leaning over her own bag. She looked exhausted too.

"Yeah," I said, shoving my notebook into my bag. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Tessa gave me a weak smile and patted my arm. "Well, go on then. Take your time with him. I’m heading out right now anyway. Ethan has got that nasty flu that’s going around. He sounds like he’s dying, so I need to go play nurse."

"Oh no," I said, feeling a genuine pang of sympathy. Ethan was a good guy, the kind of steady presence Tessa needed. "Please send him my regards. Tell him I hope he feels better soon."

"I will. Try not to let the Vaughn brothers eat you alive on your way out," she joked, though her eyes were serious. She gave me a quick squeeze before disappearing into the flow of students heading for the exit.

I moved through the hallways with my head down, trying to blend into the crowd. I felt like I was walking through a minefield. Every tall, dark-haired male figure I saw made my breath hitch, my mind instantly jumping to Julian’s rough hands or Gabriel’s quiet, intense gaze.

I found Dante leaning against his car near the bottom of the main staircase. He looked as polished as ever, his suit crisp and his expression unreadable. When he saw me, he straightened up and gestured for me to join him.

We began walking side by side toward the edge of the campus. Dante wasn’t a big talker unless it involved business or a plan, and I was too drained to start a conversation.

"Has Richard brought me up lately?" he asked, his voice low and professional. "Since the dinner?"

I shook my head, looking at my feet as we navigated the sidewalk. "No. He’s been focused on some new acquisitions in the north. He’s barely been home, and when he is, he’s usually locked in his study with Gabriel. Why? Is something wrong with the merger?"

"Not yet," Dante said, his eyes scanning the perimeter. "But Richard is a shark. If he isn’t talking about me, he’s thinking about how to squeeze more out of me. Keep your ears open."

We were approaching the stairs that led down to the parking lot when I saw him.

Julian was leaning against his car, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Even from this distance, I could feel his eyes on me, and full of the memory of what had happened in that hall. He looked like he was waiting for a show.

My heart did a panicked somersault in my chest. I couldn’t let him see me falter. I couldn’t let him think he had even an inch of space in my head. If I wanted him to stay away, I had to prove that I was completely, utterly devoted to the man standing next to me.

Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed Dante’s hand. I didn’t just touch it; I interlaced our fingers, gripping him firmly as I leaned slightly into his side.

Dante stiffened for a fraction of a second, his stride breaking. He looked down at our joined hands and then up at the parking lot, spotting Julian immediately. A small, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"That was fast," he said, his voice humored but quiet.

I didn’t look at him. I kept my eyes fixed forward, my jaw set. "Just walk, Dante."

He knew. Of course he knew. He wasn’t stupid, and he certainly wasn’t under the illusion that I had suddenly developed a deep physical longing for him in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. But he didn’t pull away. In fact, he tightened his grip on my hand, pulling me closer until our shoulders were touching.

As we passed Julian, the tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. I didn’t look at him, but I could feel the heat of his gaze burning into the side of my face. I could almost hear the sound of his teeth grinding together. It was a small victory, but it felt like a hollow one.

"I can give you a ride home," Dante offered as we reached the curb. "It’s on my way."

"Richard gave Lucy and me a car to use for school outings," I said, looking around for the silver sedan we usually shared. "It should be right over..."

My voice trailed off. The spot where the car was supposed to be was empty. I scanned the lot just in time to see Lucy’s blonde head through the rear window of the sedan as it pulled out of the gates, moving fast. She hadn’t even looked for me. She had just taken the car and left me stranded.

Dante let out a short, dry laugh. "Fortunate," he remarked. "It seems your sister-in-law-to-be has other plans."

"She’s not my sister-in-law yet," I snapped, though the frustration was mostly aimed at my own situation. "And she did that on purpose. She’s still throwing a tantrum because of what happened earlier."

"Well, the offer stands," Dante said, opening the passenger door of his car. "Unless you’d rather wait for a bus or walk back to that lion’s den alone."

I sighed and climbed in. I didn’t have much of a choice.

The drive was quieter than the walk had been. The hum of the engine and the air conditioning were the only sounds for a while. I stared out the window, watching the campus fade away.

"How is Kiera?" I asked, trying to steer my mind away from the Vaughns. "I haven’t seen her in a few weeks."

"She’s good. Busy with her friend’s gallery opening," Dante said, his tone softening just a fraction at the mention of his sister. "She’s been asking about you and trying to force words out of my mouth about our relationship. She wants to know if the pretense has started turning to real feelings."

I shook my head. "Kiera is crazy, I know that already. Help me tell her I’ll come over when I’m less busy," I said. "I miss her."

Dante didn’t respond to that. He just kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel.

When he pulled up to the gates of the Vaughn estate, he didn’t put the car in park right away. He looked at me, his expression more serious than usual. "Alright, baby, see you at school, love you."

After saying that, he pulled his head forward, pouting his lips.

I pressed my palm to his lips and pushed him back. "I don’t know who is crazier between you and your sis," I said, reaching for the door handle. "But it’s sure a blood something. Thanks for the ride, Dante."

I stepped out and hurried toward the front door, my only goal to get to my room without seeing Julian or Lucy or Gabriel. I just needed to be alone and feel peaceful.

When I finally reached my room and turned the lock, I threw myself on my bed, exhausted.

A few minutes later, I took a hot bath, changed into a pair of soft leggings and an oversized sweater, finally feeling a bit like myself again.

My stomach began to growl. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and the hunger was starting to turn into a cramp.

I checked the time. It was late afternoon, where the brothers were usually in their respective dens. I figured I could sneak down to the kitchen, grab something quick, and disappear back into my sanctuary before anyone noticed.

I opened my door a crack and peered out. It looked clear.

I stepped out, taking slow, careful steps. One, two, three, four... on my fifth step, just as I was beginning to relax, a click sounded through the silence.

I froze, watching Julian’s room crack open.