Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother
Chapter 69

(Alder)

My head filled with images of Johnnie..my heart ached for her as those usual feelings started to rise up..the ones that I pushed down and refused to acknowledge. It started last year, that's when things inside of me changed..that big brother role turning into something completely different.

She is such a beautiful person inside and out and the fact that she didn't even see it made her that much more loveable. It began after we started working out together. Johnnie, Ben, and I would go on a run or hit the gym now and then..that's when I realized my body naturally drifted to hers as the feeling of wanting to protect her rose more and more each day. But I knew she would never be mine. I knew her heart belonged to Caspian and his to hers, so I accepted it and needed to

move on.

I have to give it to Caspian..after everything he went through with our father he really stood up for himself..he chose the woman he loves over money. Not many people can say that..and that's why I need to help them in any way I can.. That's why I'm meeting with my dad today to try and stop this s**t before things really get ugly.

Also, I have a few questions I want to ask him..I had a sinking feeling deep in my gut that Dad might've had something to do with Neal's disappearance. I really hope I'm wrong..but this feeling is usually never wrong.

I walked into the high-end restaurant before glancing at the stewardess as the petite blonde smiled at me brightly while pushing out her chest.

Johnnie's way prettier..

"Do you have a reservation?" The woman asked as I nodded once.

"Should be under King." I stated firmly, avoiding her wandering gaze as she stepped to the side.

"Right this way."

Listen..I'm no saint, I have had my summer flings but besides that, I have never been in a committed relationship because my dad drilled into me that it's a waste of time. That one day I would marry to benefit this family and anything before that would only be for fun.

So I went into every "relationship" with that frame of mind. I made it clear what my intentions were and kept it respectful.

I followed the blonde past a few tables as her hips swayed from side to side seductively and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

I liked my women a little more modest..shy even..so when they just throw themselves at you, where is the fun in that? Glancing up, I saw my dad sitting at his usual table with a glass of scotch resting in his hand. Wow..he looked like shit..you could tell he was pissed right off the bat and his eyes had dark circles underneath.

"Here you go, and if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask." The blonde added before brushing her fingers down my arm as I just ignored her.

I know..I was being a dick..but I didn't have the patience for this today.

I watched as my dad's eyes wandered to the girl's a*s before she walked away.

"Son, I'm glad you finally came to your senses." He added while flicking his gaze to me once more.

"Does your mother know you are here?" He asked me curiously, making me just lean back in my chair before crossing my arms in front of my chest.

Some days, I wondered what Mom even saw in Dad..I mean, yeah he is good looking but he is such a cold person..I didn't see it before, but now looking back, I don't even recall one time where he said he loved me or actually said he was proud of me or Caspian. He just wasn't the fatherly type..

"Let's cut the bullshit. I want you to leave Caspian and Johnnie alone. He made his choice and as a grown man, I think it's time you respect it." I spat, making my father's jaw clench before a wicked smirk pulled at his lips.

"You always were soft on that girl..don't you realize I'm trying to help them? That one day Caspian is going to wake up and wish he would've chosen to follow the King legacy..that he will grow to hate the woman he gave everything up for." He went on some type of bullshit rant.

"Well, would you rather he follow in your footsteps? I'm sure he could knock Johnnie up right before you force him to marry the woman he despises." I countered, making my dad lose his temper before slamming his glass down.

"You ungrateful bastard..are you really going to speak to me like that?" He gritted through his teeth as humor began to fill

me.

"How can you seriously not see how f****d up this is? That you are asking your own son to make the same choice you did..to give up the one you love and live a life filled with lies and betrayal." I shook my head in disbelief as he stared at me for a few moments. "Well Alder, what are you willing to do to fix your brother's mistakes?" He asked, making me furrow my brow as he slowly turned his glass on the table.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, prompting my dad to sigh before leaning back, his blue eyes burning into me.

"If I dropped all of this and left Caspian alone..what would you be willing to do for it? Are you prepared to take his place?" He asked..I sat there blinking my eyes rapidly before trying to process his question.

"You want me to.."

"Yes Alder, I want you to marry the girl in Caspian's place. Her parents and I have been discussing this." He dropped the bomb on me and I just sat there frozen for a moment.

I never thought of this as a f*****g possibility..I can't stand the girl..I never f*****g could because of the way she treated Johnnie.

"Three years..that's all I need. Once the companies are fully merged and you produce an heir, then you can move on with your life."

"Your brother can do whatever the f**k he wants..but you have to pay for that..you have to be the one to fix his mistakes..how much do you love your brother Alder? You knew you would eventually have to do this.. at least now it would be for a good cause right?" He added before scoffing and finishing off his drink.

"If I do this, you won't cut Caspian out, right? You will let him finish college and do whatever the hell he wants.." I stated, feeling my stomach twist into knots and he laughed deeply before leaning forward.

"Whatever he wants..but you have to do whatever I want..you can't go against me, Alder. His freedom for your loyalty." His eyes turned dark as I swear they had to be black right now.

I knew at that very moment, that I truly was making a deal with the devil..but could this be the answer to everything? Could this keep our family together?

"I will give you a few days to think about it, but Heaven and her family will be here in a week..that's when we will announce it." He informed me as I just stared at my father without any emotion..my body felt numb as I tried to weigh my options.

"I will let you know in two days." I announced before going to stand and stopped abruptly.

"Oh, and I wanted to ask..were you involved with Neal's disappearance?" I stated abruptly, catching him completely off guard as his eyes told me everything before he scoffed and denied any knowledge of it.

But I saw that brief slip..I knew right then and there that whatever reason Neal disappeared had to do with this man right here..

Now I just have to figure out what the f**k I'm going to do..