Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Caspian)

Bullshit, I am calling complete f*****g bullshit. So Dave King has hired a hit out on Heather now and she is scared for her life? What a perfect f*****g excuse to get your family to worry about your broke a*s again. Honestly, I almost thought she was going to pull the sick card..so I have to give it to her for originality. And of course we know my Dad would be capable of doing it, considering he did try to have Neal killed. I glanced across the table at Ben, his face seeming to mirror mine as Heather wiped her crocodile tears with a napkin. "What makes you think Dave is trying to have you killed Heather?"

. Neal asked firmly, not taking this lightly..which I can't blame the guy..

"For the last three months, I have been followed by different men..and one night, they..they broke into my apartment. I didn't know what to do..or where to go.." She whispered, her voice cracking as she sniffled.

"So you decided to come back to a place where Dave could very easily find you? Not only that, you are now putting your own children in danger..yet again I might add." I snapped, feeling like I was already done with this s**t now.. Not for my sake, but for my wife's sake because she has a big f*****g heart and will fall for this crap. The look on her face now tells me she is already questioning it...

"N-no.....I would never..I just didn't know where else to go..and if they did find me..I just wanted to see my family one last time at least." Heather added as a waiter suddenly approached our table, making us all go quiet.

"Are you ready to order?" The guy asked, looking between us as Heather cleared her throat and tried to compose herself. "Uh, yes, how fresh is the salmon?" She asked, making me roll my eyes.

"Baby, if you just want to go.." I whispered to Johnnie as she glanced towards her mom before looking at me.

"Let's just eat first and then we can leave. Is that okay?" She asked as forced myself to smile, wanting to drag her a*s out of here right now but deciding to behave.

"Of course, whatever you want to do my love." I said sweetly, bending down and kissing her lips as I could feel Heather's gaze burning into the side of my head.

"And for you miss?" The man asked my wife, making me glance towards him as I saw the prick's eyes start to wander to her chest.

"She will have the steak." I stated cooly, making the guy snap his gaze towards me before clearing his throat awkwardly. "Of course..and for you then sir?" He added, not looking me in the eyes.

"I will have the same." I stated while closing the menu and handing it over to him.

I could see Ben smirking from the corner of my eye and felt Johnnie leaning in closer to me. I know it seems controlling..but it's more of a 'stop checking my wife out in front of me asshole' type of thing.. I didn't like how he was looking at her..especially since she looks so damn sexy in that blue dress.

Besides..my wife always gets the steak..so I know what she likes.

I looked over at Heather, seeing the scowl she now had on her face as Ben and Robin ordered next.

Once everyone was done, Neal reached for his glass of wine and took a long sip before speaking. I don't think I have ever seen him drink really..but I can't blame him for doing it now. Hell, I could use one myself.

"So, I'm guessing you will be staying in town for a little while then?" Neal asked Heather, prompting her to nod yes before glancing at Johnnie.

"If that's all right with you two.." She whispered, making me scoff.

"Heather, there's one thing I quite don't understand..why would Dave suddenly send someone to come after you after all these years?" I said, not wanting to just skate over this. She needs to do a lot of convincing to make me believe this s**t.

"Or..is there something you're not telling us like usual?" Ben grumbled, making me nod in agreement as I was glad to have him on my side.

Heather shifted in her chair, her hand rising as I watched her brush her now bright red hair back before looking away suspiciously.

"Well, I..I ended things with him..for real this time.." She whispered, making Johnnie sit up straighter before turning her head towards Heather.

"But..I thought you did after the arrest?" She asked, making Heather look down at her napkin before playing with it.

"I did..and then things just kind of happened. He had a way of getting to me..the things he said..he threatened to hurt you two if I didn't comply." She said, making excuses for her horrible choices yet again.

"So you lied.." Johnnie whispered, making Ben scoff before looking at her.

"Are you that surprised Johnnie? We f*****g knew she would go back to him. That's why she hasn't changed her last name.." Ben began to shout, causing Robin to place her hand on his arm gently.

"Honey, calm down.." Robin whispered, making Ben sigh in frustration before sitting back in his chair.

"Is this the only reason why you asked us all to dinner Heather? To tell us you are being threatened by Dave?" Neal spoke up, his eyes boring into Heather now as you could almost feel the anger pulsing off of him.

"Well.....I wanted to see you all too..I miss you all. I was hoping just maybe that we could start over.." She said, making a laugh bubble up and explode from my mouth..I just couldn't stop it.

"Start over? You don't just get a do-over Heather..not after what you did to our kids..forget what you did to me..that doesn't even matter compared to what you did to them." Neal snapped, making Johnnie shift uncomfortably as I could see her face filling with worry. "You haven't even apologized once to that girl right there..your own flesh and blood..your daughter." Neal said firmly, pointing his finger at Johnnie as Heathe gasped.

"...I apologized! I said I never should have pushed her away in Florida..I told her I shouldn't have listened to Dave!" Heather defended herself making Neal scoff.

"How many times have you called Johnnie?" Neal asked, making Heather sit up straighter.

"A few times a year. But she didn't always answer."

"Okay..and how many times did you call Ben?" My dad asked, making Johnnie look down in her lap, the sadness so clear on her face as I was started to get pissed now. "What does that matter?" She asked, sounding offended.

"Mom..answer him." Ben stated, and I knew after this..we were leaving. We all already knew the answer to this.

"I mean..a few times a month.." She whispered.

"Try again." Neal snapped.

"Fine..a few times a week..I just..I wanted to explain myself to Ben..I felt bad for lying to him for so long!"

"You've lied to every single one of us..and me and my kids..we are a family..we don't tolerate when someone we love is being neglected..and you have neglected that girl since the moment I disappeared.." Neal was seething.

"Johnnie doesn't feel that way..does she? We were close after you disappeared..we depended on one another." Heather said, looking at Johnnie as she finally lifted her head up and met Heather's gaze.

"No..you depended on me mom to pick up all the pieces..and I did that. But you didn't even notice how much it broke me. How much it broke Ben..and then when you chose Dave..it was the final straw." Johnnie explained, making me lift my arm and wrap it around her back while I glared at Heather.

"So it wasn't just about the affair and you marrying Dave..it was about how you didn't even give us a second thought.."

Fuck..I am so proud of Johnnie for saying this..and yet I almost wish she would throw her damn drink at Heather all at the same time.

"I'm sorry..I am so sorry..I don't know why I did that..I don't know why he had so much control over me. I promise I will be better..just give me a chance to prove myself..please..just one more chance." Heather pleaded and before anyone could say anything else, our food arrived, making the table grow quiet.

We watched as the plates were set down, and after the waiter left..I saw Ben open his mouth to speak.

"I'm afraid that your one more chance could cause my family harm..so I will have to say no." Ben said, making Heather gasp in shock before hanging her head in defeat.

"Johnnie? Do you feel the same?" Heather asked sadly, making my wife bite her lip as her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry but I have to agree with Ben. I need to think of my family first. Caspian and Everett are the most important thing to me...and I won't do anything to put them in danger."

Damn f*****g right. That's my girl..God I love this woman..and now I'm ready to get the hell out of here and as far away from Heather as possible..