It all started with a game

Chapter 21.1

I made Ryder come with me, not ready to face this alone and unable to take Klaus with me for protection. I figured I'd have my brothers to help me but I was on my own, in a completely separate room from them as I made my first impression. "I'm sure it'll be fine," Ryder tried to calm me.

I nodded. I'm sure he's right. What could go wrong?

I opened the door.

Everything. Everything could go wrong.

My eyes met Kavinski's, while his met Ryder's. You have got to be kidding me.

Behind Kavinski stood the man who I assumed was the man my mother was dating, or at least I really hoped.

"You have got to be kidding me." Both boys growled in unison, their mutual hatred for each other filling the room. I should have made Klaus open the door.

The man patted Kavinski's back. "You know this man, Jaylen?" He grinned, his smile large enough to make up for the scowl imprinted on both boys' faces.

"You could say that." Kavinski glared at Ryder. "Uncle, this is Ryder, my brother."

The word brother nearly made Ryder kill Kavinski right then and there. I squeezed his hand, hoping it would be enough to keep him semi-calm.

The man cheered, throwing out his hand for Ryder to shake. "You're the one I've heard so much about! It's lovely to finally meet you." His face had begun to wrinkle from the breadth of his grin.

Ryder took the man's hand, his jaw clenched, his eyes locked on Kavinski. The man turned to me. "And you must be Violeta. Your mother has told me much about you."

Highly doubtful.

I couldn't stop him before he pulled me into a hug, alarms going off in my entire body as I clung onto Ryder for dear life, the man nearly suffocating me in his light grip. Ryder held onto my waist, gently pulling me back from the man who was unnecessarily hugging me. I grabbed onto Ryder's shirt as tightly as possible, clearly traumatized. My disheveled state was enough to pull Ryder's attention away from Kavinski, temporarily. The second Kavinski spoke, Ryder was back to focusing on him. "Well," I tried to save the dire situation, "everybody is waiting in the dining room. You're welcome to join them. We will be right back." I dragged Ryder away for the hundredth time tonight. "Take a deep breath," I demanded.

Ryder listened, his eyes still glazed over with rage.

"Another one." I repeated the phrase until Ryder was calm enough to listen to reason. "You can go home, if you want. I understand if it's too difficult."

Ryder took a few more uninstructed breaths. "Your mother will hate me if I leave."

"She'll understand." No she won't but I didn't particularly care.

"It'll be alright, gorgeous. I'll keep my temper in check."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." This time, it was his turn to lead me into the battlefield that was my dining room.

I took my spot beside Klaus, Ryder on the other side of me.