Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30: 30-The Lost Stepsister

Norman:

"Where are Maximus and Kaye? They were supposed to arrive and discuss the candidate list with us," I paced back and forth in the office, frustrated at how careless my brothers had become.

"I don’t know. I called them, but they didn’t pick up," Emmet replied, lounging back with his legs propped up on the table, looking entirely too comfortable. Sometimes I wondered why he was like this. Why couldn’t he act more responsibly?

He had so much potential, yet he was wasting it all.

"Emmet, this is important. The tests start next week, and we haven’t prepared anything yet. The students will be back at the academy soon, and those two haven’t even submitted the syllabus for training and subjects," I was the only one feeling this much pressure.

Emmet sighed lazily and muttered, "I’ve submitted mine. As for them, I’m not sure what they’re up to, but I sent my guy to check. He told me they’re at Maximus’s garage." He casually showed me his phone screen, where the message from his so-called ’trusted guy’ was displayed--someone he always talked about but never revealed.

"If they’re not picking up the phone, I’ll go fetch them myself." That was it. I couldn’t sit around in my office any longer, waiting for them to show up.

"Adios!" Emmet waved dismissively, already engrossed in a book he had grabbed from the library.

I shot him a quick, judgmental glance before grabbing my coat and rushing out of the office. The monitors were gathered in the cafeteria, making plans for enforcing regulations once the academy reopened next week.

I hurried toward my car, dialing Maximus and Kaye repeatedly as I walked.

I didn’t want to scold them--my brothers meant the world to me. But sometimes, they left me no choice. If Dad found out they were slacking, he would be furious with them.

And then Dad would yell at Kaye, while barely saying a word to Maximus. That would make Kaye feel isolated all over again.

Driving as fast as I could, I arrived at the garage in no time. Kaye’s bike, parked outside, confirmed they were indeed together.

I hurried out of the car, not bothering with my coat despite the cold. Rolling up my sleeves, I entered the wide-open garage, noticing food left untouched on the table, already going cold. But the two of them were nowhere in sight, which only heightened my worry.

As I made my way to the far end of the garage, the door to Maximus’s private room opened, and out came my brothers.

Maximus looked incredibly tense, while Kaye was busy buttoning up his shirt. But what really unsettled me wasn’t their behavior--it was the fact that the door to Maximus’s room had been left open, and from where I stood, I could see someone lying in his bed.

I froze, horror creeping up my spine.

"I’m telling you, you need to do it. Just--" Maximus cut off mid-sentence when he nearly bumped into me.

Their eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting to be caught.

"What the hell do you two think you’re doing? You know sharing is forbidden in our community!" I kept my voice low, not wanting anyone outside these walls to hear.