Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 286

Chapter 286: 286-Stand For Me

Helanie:

Maximus left that night, leaving my heart warm with the glow of his emotions.

I had already gone to sleep but received a text from Maximus about what to expect in the morning.

He reminded me about my first day at job with him. The plan was simple: we’d wake up, get ready, go to the garage to pick up some weapons, and then head to the woods down the mountains. Maximus would test the weapons while I wrote about them in detail.

I woke up early but made sure to text Lamar.

Me: Are you still upset with me?

Lamar: No! I’m fine. Sorry I acted childish yesterday. I should’ve understood that as a victim, you have so many triggers, and one of them is sharing your life or secrets with anyone.

Tears filled my eyes at how thoughtful he was.

Me: Thank you, Lamar. Your understanding means so much to me.

Lamar: Yeah! I just wish Jenny had understood that too.

Me: It must be hard staying in the motel room where you and Jenny—

Lamar: I know. We had sex all night. On the bed—on the floor—on the balcony—and even in the bathroom—

Me: Okay, stop it. Stop rubbing your amazing sex life in my face.

Lamar: All I need to do is take Rayden down.

Lamar: And I will. There’s a meeting in two days where all the students will be gathered at the academy. I’ll put a deadly viper in Rayden’s locker. Just wait and watch what happens.

I shook my head with a little laugh escaping my lips as I got out of bed to take a shower. After getting ready, I left the room for breakfast.

Everyone was already gone for work, so it was just me at the table.

Or so I thought.

“Mom, I should have woken up earlier. One day I sleep in, and I have to share the table with a stranger,” Charlotte walked into view, taking a seat and making sure to remind me I didn’t belong in the house.

I didn’t even look up from my plate to respond. It was so strange living with them and not interacting at all—except when they threw jabs at me or laughed when I walked past them.

“Avoid her, she’s a troublemaker. Eat well, and then get ready. I’ll ask Maximus to take you out for shopping today,” Emma said as she sat next to her daughter, filling her plate and doting on her. What she said made me perk up.

Maximus was going to be busy today? He must’ve changed his plans.

“Oh yes, I need some stuff,” Charlotte giggled, probably lying. She didn’t need anything—she just wanted Maximus and his attention.

I kept eating, ignoring their chatter, though once in a while they threw snide remarks my way.

“Morning,” a voice startled me. Maybe because I didn’t expect someone kind and sweet to sit in front of me. Charlotte and Emma’s negativity had drained me.

I looked up and smiled at Maximus, who was dressed in black pants, a white shirt, and a black leather jacket.

“Excited for today?” Maximus asked, but Emma interrupted him by snatching his plate to fill it.

“Thanks, Emma, but I like to fill my plate myself,” he said, taking it back from her and rolling his eyes discreetly—though I noticed.

“Maximus, Mom made banana pancakes today,” Charlotte announced, as if they were some rare treat. Those pancakes were made every day, but I hadn’t realized Emma cooked them today.

Maximus didn’t respond to her, but while taking a bite, he gestured at me with his fork. “All set for the first day?”

It seemed like the question had been on his mind, and he was eager for an answer.

“Yes,” I replied shyly, partly because he was paying so much attention to me and partly because he was standing his ground against those two cruel people.

“Excited for what? Did you two make a plan?” Charlotte suddenly got up from her spot, quickly changing seats to sit right next to Maximus as she asked him.

Emma immediately raised her gaze to glare at me, as if I’d caused her daughter to feel uneasy.

“No!” Maximus shook his head, but as soon as Charlotte smiled in relief, he added, “A job isn’t a plan. She’s starting to work with me today.”

Charlotte wasn’t great at hiding her true feelings. Her jaw literally dropped, and she stared at me in disbelief.

Emma, understanding her daughter’s reaction, decided to help her by confronting me.

“You’re going to work with him? Do you even know the kind of work he does? Won’t it be too much for you, standing in the woods and watching him shoot dangerous weapons?” Emma started bitterly. “You’ll just end up crying after every shot and wasting his time. Why can’t you do some work more suited to your skills?” She slammed her fist on the table, and my fists clenched in response.

But I stayed quiet because it seemed like Maximus had something to say.

“And what exactly do you suggest would be a better job for her?” Maximus asked, his voice calm and steady.

I would’ve taken it as a warning to back out, but the mother-daughter duo seemed completely oblivious.

With a strange smirk on her lips, Emma replied, “She could clean the mansion. We’d pay her for it.”

Her daughter let out a laugh, quickly covering her mouth with her fist to make it look like she was trying not to laugh. But the joke was so funny to her that she couldn’t hold back.

What bothered me was that I couldn’t understand the point of her remark.

“Really?” Maximus grunted, closing his eyes briefly.

“Yes, she—” Charlotte began, but Maximus turned his head to glare at her. The look he gave her wiped the smile off her face immediately.

“Who are you two to suggest what Helanie should do in her home or with her life? Don’t forget, you’re living here as guests. You don’t even have any real ties to anyone here. So next time you interfere, remember your lane,” he groaned loudly, muttering every word through clenched teeth.