Chapter 30: The Heartbreak


"Home sweet home." Sebastian collapsed face first into the plush Boca do Lobo sofa and sighed. It smelled vaguely like Chanel and fabric softener. After four days of enduring the stench of old people and disinfectant at the hospital, it was a welcome reprieve. There was only so much his aristocratic nose could be expected to endure.

"I wouldn't get too comfortable son," his father's booming voice echoed behind him. "You're still shipping out on Friday."

Rolling over he groaned dramatically. "What about my arm? Am I supposed to show up to boot camp in this thing?" He held up his injured arm housed in a black cotton sling. It didn't really hurt. Then again, he was currently rolling on enough Percocet to take down a horse. The beauty of prescription drugs.

"The doc said you should be good to go by the end of the week."

"And if I'm not?"

"Then I'd make sure to pack some icy hot and try to avoid getting shot on the first day."

Unamused, Sebastian sat up. "This is such bullshit," he spat petulantly. "You know most parents would actually show concern if their child was shot, not try to ship them out to some shit hole in Wyoming—"

"Utah"

"Like there's a difference."

His father was unmoved. "Well most parents haven't had to put up with the array of shit I have for the past eighteen years. Thanks to your latest stunt, I'm going to be up to my ears in civil suits for the next six months. Just be lucky nobody is pressing charges. Your poor stepmother is currently in hiding in Palm Springs."

"I take it 'Palm Springs' is code for face lift or is it vag rejuvenation time?"

"That's very cute. She's refusing to step one foot back in New York until you're gone."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Then what's the problem? I stay, she's gone. Everyone's happy. You should be thanking me." He slipped his sunglasses on and reclined back on the couch. "Maybe you should call that hospital administrator who was giving you the eye. The one with the high-end tit job."

"You don't think they were real?"

He gave him a side long look as if to say, please. "I would think you of all people would know the difference between natural and manmade by now."

"Shit," he remarked, clearly disappointed. Shaking it off he slipped back into disciplinary mode. "You're going. Between you and your sister, your stepmother has been on the warpath for days now. She's starting to take it out on me and that I won't stand for. I need some peace and quiet."

"Then send me to go live with mom or something." His mother currently resided in California, a state he took great pains to visit as little as possible. But sunny LA and his flaky mother was a vast improvement over bum-fuck-wherever.

"For once your mother and I are in agreement. You're going."

Sebastian very much doubted his all-natural, health and wellness, crystal loving mother was down with sending him to military school. His father must have increased the alimony check. Realizing this argument was going nowhere, he pushed to his feet and waved a disinterested hand in his father's direction. "Fine. I'm going for a drive. Don't wait up."

His father snatched the car keys out of his hand. "Oh, I don't think so son. You are not to leave this house until you ship out on Friday."

Sebastian gapped at him in disgust. "You're grounding me?!"

"You're leaving me little choice. After what went down at the hospital, I clearly can't trust you to keep yourself out of trouble."

"Unbelievable"

"And another thing, you are to have absolutely no female visitors, is that understood? Little Sebastian is on lockdown as well."

Sebastian snatched his sunglasses off in alarm. "Oh, come on! You're sending me off to the sausage factory and you're not even giving me the luxury of a last meal?"

His father smirked. "Given the vast array of video footage that was on display at that assembly, I'd say you've had more than your fair share of the buffet for this lifetime. Several lifetimes actually."

"How exactly do you plan on enforcing this?" His father could barely be bothered to stay in the same country as him for a week, forget the same house.

"Oh, I plan on leaving that up to Sullivan." His father turned around, acknowledging his favorite henchman lingering in the back of the room. Sebastian hadn't even noticed him which was impressive given his 6-foot 2 size. Then again, he seemed to excel at blending into the background, no doubt a skill he acquired as a navy seal. About six years back Sullivan saved his father's life when some shit went down in Dubai during a business deal gone awry. Ever since then his father did little outside of take a piss without him. He was his personal assistant/bodyguard/who-knows-what. Also, he hated Sebastian on account of that time he walked in on him getting a blow job from his ex-fiancé.

"Fucking swell," Sebastian sighed, noting Sullivan didn't seem anymore enthused about playing babysitter than he was. He glowered at him from the shadows.

"This is it Sebastian, I mean it. You fuck up again and there's no coming home for Christmas break and I'm selling the jag."

Well that seals it. Knowing when he had been beat, he growled out a petulant, "Fine. I'm going to take a nap. Assuming that's still allowed?"

His father gave him a look as if to say, of course. Sebastian swung around and headed for his bedroom. "Let Mai-Lee know if you need anything. I'm heading to the office."

They both knew 'the office' was code for fucking his latest bimbo of the week. "Enjoy your fake tits dad!"

Sebastian had every intention of heading to his bedroom and sleeping for a week as the events from the past couple days were starting to catch up with him. However, upon passing his stepsisters room he paused. The bitch hadn't once come to visit him since that first initial night in the hospital. Sebastian had texted her a few times, but only got monosyllabic one work responses. It rankled. You take a bullet for someone they should at least have the curtesy to visit you in the hospital. Those were like the rules. Kathryn was probably too busy scissoring with Hargrove to remember.

Feeling suddenly irritable, Sebastian flounced over to her room and threw the door open without knocking. "Hey sis, where the hell have you…" He trailed off when he got a look at his sister curled up in her bed. "Oof, you look like shit."

For once he wasn't being dramatic. Wearing mis-matched flannel pajamas (where did she even get those?), her hair looked knotted and greasy and her face was splotchy and red. To top it off she had bags under her eyes like she hadn't slept in weeks. Sebastian had of course seen his dear sister looking worse for wear, usually when she was drugged out, but never this rough.

"Get out," she snarled at him, trying to sound imposing by landing on shrill.

"Um, no." Sebastian closed the door and swaggered over to her, his gaze taking in the mess around her. Left over dinner trays and used tissues were scattered about. The only drugs in the vicinity appeared to be some pill bottles idling on the ledge beside her bed. Interesting. Looking as wrecked as she did, he at least expected to find a big old pile of cocaine nearby or at least a couple of bottles of their finest scotch. Flopping down beside her Sebastian noted bluntly, "You look disgusting. And are you wearing flannel?"

"Fuck you," she tossed back with little bite. "What are you doing here anyway? You weren't supposed to be released until tomorrow."

"They booted me when they caught the night nurse giving me a handy. What's up, are you sick or something?" Sebastian had never actually seen Kathryn sick before. Last year when she got the flu, she locked herself in her bedroom and refused to let anyone other than Mai-Lee see her. Now he knew why.

"I'm fine. I just need some rest." She waved a hand at him dismissively. "Go away."

"You know when someone saves your life, it's common curtesy to show at least a smidge of gratitude."

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "Jesus, how long to plan on holding that over my head? I didn't ask you to jump in front of a bullet for me." Burying her face in her pillow she mumbled, "I'd rather wish you let it hit me right about now."

Sebastian frowned, not sure what to make of this despondent version of Kathryn. "Seriously, are you okay? And where's Hargrove?" He looked around the room as if expecting her to pop out from some dark corner, ready to call him an idiot. "I'd have figured she'd be dying to play nursemaid."

"We broke up," Kathryn replied flatly.

Sebastian did a near comedic double take. "Wait. What?"

"We ended it." There was no emotion on her face, but she wouldn't meet his eye.

"Why? I thought you two were true love forever and all that shit."

She shrugged. "It wasn't working. We're both so busy, getting ready for college and everything. The whole thing was getting too intense. We needed space."

Sebastian tried to reconcile these excuses with the last image he had of the girls, sitting in his hospital room, holding hands, unconcerned with anyone seeing and it didn't add up. She wasn't telling him something. "Is this about what happened the other night, before Court showed up? When we…?" Nearly had that hot but ill-advised threesome.

"No," she sighed. "That had nothing to do with it."

"I don't think Reynolds remembers anything and if he does, he's not opening his mouth."

"Good"

"So, what's the real reason then?"

"That is the reason," she snapped irritably. "Now, will you go away you're giving me a migraine."

"Something's not adding up. I've seen you after a breakup. You're usually up to your tits in cocaine and dick, partying yourself into a coma. This is…not that. This is…" Sebastian trailed off when it finally hit him. The truth that was staring him in the face. "Wait, this wasn't mutual was it? She broke up with you."

"No," she hissed with barely concealed patients. "I told you, it was mutual."

"And I told you I'm not buying it. Look, speaking for experience, I've seen a heartbreak downward-spiral before and this," he waved a hand over her, "has all the classic signs. I mean I—"

"OKAY FINE, SHE DUMPED ME!" Kathryn shrieked. "You were right Nancy Drew. Happy? Now kindly FUCK OFF and leave me be."

Flopping back in bed she rolled over, dismissing him. Sebastian probably should have just given her, her space. But curiosity, along with genuine concern for her well being made him cut the asshole routine and try to be gentle with her. After the way he treated her the past couple of weeks, it was the least he could do. Laying down beside her Sebastian caressed her hair. "What happened?"

"What, you want all the gory details? She doesn't trust herself around me. She said she has to concentrate on her future and being with me gets in the way of that. She thinks I'll ruin her life."

"She said that?"

"More or less."

Sebastian remembered his conversation with Annette when they bonded over their mutual fear of being eaten alive by Kathryn. In a weird way he understood her reasoning. She got spooked so she ran. It didn't mean he sympathized with her at all. "She's a cunt."

"But she's not wrong." Kathryn smiled without humor. "Let's be honest Sebastian, I'm not exactly the easy choice."

But you're the only choice. The only worthwhile one. "Easy is overrated. I thought Hargrove had bigger balls than that."

"Apparently not"

"So, what now? Are you going to take the bitch down, or what?"

Kathryn looked up and him and shook her head. "No, not this time."

Kathryn Merteuil wasn't thirsting for revenge. This was serious. Sebastian wasn't sure how to proceed. Dolling out comfort and sympathy weren't really in his wheelhouse. Thinking back to how he felt when he got his heart stomped on, he could think of only one sure fire solution to feel better.

"Well, shit. You want to get drunk?"

Kathryn at last offered up a slight smile. "Yes please."

Sniffing her hair, he scowled. "Alright, but first, you need a shower."


"I'm fine Trevor"

"Okay"

Annette released an incredulous laugh as she set the jar of peanut butter she had been noshing on down. "What, you don't believe me?"

There was a brief pause as if her oldest friend in the world was trying to pick his words carefully. "You've been saying your 'fine' for two days now. I'm wondering if you actual believe it or if you just think I'm stupid enough to." There was another pause. "I'm worried about you Annie."

Flopping down on her couch Annette released a tired sigh. She was really regretting answering this phone call. The house was blessedly quiet as her father had been basically absent all weekend thanks to the assembly from hell. He had been doing damage control and likely would be for most of the week. They even cancelled classes for the next few days. It was a mess.

Annette however was not. Actually, she had been enjoying her quiet weekend, reading, catching up on homework, enjoying the occasional joint without the fear of her father sniffing it out. The truth was she hadn't felt this relaxed in a while. Aside from the occasional, prying phone call from her well meaning friends wanting to check up on her, she was having a nice weekend. You would never know she just broke up with someone she was wildly in love with not three days before.

"You know we can zoom and get day drunk if you want."

Annette laughed. "You'd do that for me?"

"Well I'm a really good friend."

"Agreed, but I'm fine Trevor. Honest."

And here was the thing. She did feel fine. She didn't feel depressed or even sad. She didn't feel anything at all really. Which was concerning. She couldn't get her father's voice out of her head telling her there was something wrong with her.

"Maybe I didn't really love her after all," Annette murmured more to herself than to him.

"Maybe you're just numb."

"Or my father was right about me all along."

"Fuck him," Trevor spat with uncharacteristic hostility.

"No, hear me out." Annette sat up a little straighter in her seat. "If I really loved her as much as I thought I did, would I really be able to walk away from her as easily as I did? I mean Trevor, I was willing to risk my whole future and my goddamn reputation for her. I would have done anything for her. I walked away from her. She'll probably never talk to me again, forget ever forgiving me. You would think that would make me feel something." She drew a deep death and admitted quietly. "I mean I haven't even cried. What kind of person, loses the person they love most in the world and then can't even muster a few tears?"

There was a long pause on his end. When he spoke, his voice was unrelentingly kind. "Let me ask you something Ann. Do you feel relieved? Does it feel like an albatross has been lifted from your neck? Are you happy?"

Annette considered this. "No, not really. I just feel calm, relaxed. Like I popped a Xanax of something."

"It sounds like you're in shock."

She scoffed at this. "What, like I have PTSD from my breakup with Kathryn? Come on Trevor…"

"I've heard of it happening"

"Yeah, or maybe your best friend is just emotionally dysfunctional and or dead inside."

"Your right it's probably that." He laughed and she smiled, happy to put the question of her disturbed psyche to rest for the moment. "So, you never did tell me, how did she take it?"

Annette's light mode vanished at the question as the last image she had of Kathryn flashed through her mind. Sitting on that sofa, small and steely, refusing to look at her. "Um, not great. She definitely didn't see it coming."

"Did she cry?"

She flashed back to Kathryn begging her to stay, her trembling lip and shaky hands as she gripped her wrist in desperation. She remembered them filling her eyes as she told her she hated her. "I don't recall," she lied.

"Well do you think she's plotting her revenge? She doesn't seem the type to take getting her heart broken gracefully."

That's the understatement of the decade, Annette thought wryly. Under normal circumstances she was sure she would most definitely have to watch her back but recalling their last words to each other and Kathryn's promising that she would no longer exist to her, Annette knew that wouldn't be a problem. What she had coming was much worse that Merteuil's wrath. Total and utter exile. Annette would have much preferred the former.

"No, I don't think I have anything to worry about." Frowning she remarked, "If anything I'm more concerned, she's going to hurt herself."

"You think she's suicidal?"

"No, no nothing like that. It's just, if there one thing I know about Kathryn, despite all her brazen over confidence, the person she's hardest on is herself." Annette pressed her face against the cool fabric of the couch, suddenly feeling exhausted, like she could sleep for days. "I just hope she's okay."


"I was wondering when I'd hear from you."

"You've been expecting my call?"

"In a matter of speaking." Sebastian got up and gently closed the bedroom door. Kathryn was currently napping in the other room and he didn't want to risk her over hearing any of what he was sure would be a tense call. "What can I do for you Hargrove?"

There was a deep intake of breath on her end, like she was gearing herself up for something. "How is she?"

Sebastian thought about being a brat by responding, 'who?' but honestly, he didn't want to drag this phone call out any longer than necessary. Then again, he didn't want to make it too easy on her. "Do you honestly care?"

"Would I be wasting my time calling you if I didn't?"

"Touché. Well, since you're so interested, the truth is she's killing it. I've never seen her so happy. Apparently getting rid of you has done wonders for her. Then again it could be all the constant orgasms. You'll be happy to know I've basically been balls deep inside her all weekend."

"That's quite impressive given your bum shoulder and all," she replied dryly, clearly not buying his bullshit. "How is she, honestly?"

"How do you think?" he asked letting some of his anger peak through. "Without warning, the girl who claims to love her, dumps her for some asinine, bullshit reason. I don't trust myself around you? I mean, what the fuck?"

"It's more complicated than that." She paused, when she spoke her tone was less defensive. "Do you remember what we talked about, that night in your room?"

Sebastian took a seat behind his desk, his gaze traveling to his bed. He recalled exchanging hushed, conspiratorial whispers with Hargrove about their mutual frustrations with Kathryn. It suddenly felt more like a betrayal than it ever had before. "You were worried she was going to eat you alive or something to that dramatic effect."

"Yeah, I mean I could feel it happening. Sebastian look at everything that's happened since we got together. I was in New York barely two months and I got kicked out of school, shipped back to Kansas and nearly lost out on Yale. Ever since we got together it's been one thing after another."

"Well you haven't exactly been an innocent bystander. Need I remind you what you did to me this summer?"

She sighed. "I'm well aware I'm not blameless in any of this. I know it wasn't all her and that's not the point. I love her Sebastian, I truly do. I would do anything for her, which is exactly the problem. I'm not selfless enough to devote myself so completely to another person. I can't sacrifice everything I want and need, all my ambitions, just because it might run counter to her desires. I can't let myself become completely absorbed by her." Annette cleared her throat. "You know your aunt said something to me a little while ago. At the time I just thought she was being a bitch, but now I think she might have had a point. She said, relationships are difficult, they require sacrifice and compromise, two things Kathryn and I aren't equipped for at this time. She's right. She's so fucking right."

Sebastian understood where she was coming from and what she said made a certain sense. Being with Kathryn was one of the best experiences of his life. The aftermath however was a painful, train wreck. He supposed he couldn't blame Hargrove for not wanting to put herself through that again. However, recalling the broken look on his stepsister's face when she told him about the breakup, he suddenly wasn't feeling terribly empathetic to her cause. "So, you chose the selfish option then?"

"Yep," she sighed. "I guess that makes me the asshole."

"In other news, water is wet." Sebastian picked up a paperweight on his desk and fiddled with it. He wondered in Hargrove honestly expected him to sympathize with her. "Why are you really calling me Annette?"

"Look, I know you don't owe me anything—"

Sebastian snorted. "You think?"

"I need a favor."

He let out a short laugh. "You have balls, I'll give you that."

"Look out for her, okay? I know you two get off on these fucked up games and you love torturing each other but, I need you to take care of her. Make sure she doesn't do anything overly self-destructive."

He didn't know why, but he was slightly caught off guard by the request. Not so much that Hargrove cared enough to ask this of him, but that she thought he was up for the job. He was already doing it of course, but that didn't mean he had to announce it to the blonde menace. Playing the part of the jaded asshole he scoffed, "As if Kathryn is some fragile babe in the woods in need of protection. I'm being shipped off to military school on account of that bitch. Why should I waste my last week in New York catering to her?"

"Because you love her," she replied bluntly.

Sebastian flinched at the accusation. "I think you have me confused with someone else."

She snorted. "Do I? Huh, that's weird, I could have sworn you were the guy who jumped in front of a bullet for her. You're not fooling anyone Sebastian."

"Yeah, neither are you." Despite everything she said, he knew without a shadow of a doubt, he hadn't seen the last of Annette Hargrove. You couldn't love Kathryn Merteuil and just walk away from it. He was living proof of that.

"You know I would have thought you'd be thrilled to have her all to yourself again."

She wasn't wrong. "You think you know me so well"

"I'm catching on."


They spent the next three days, lounging around the townhouse, in their best designer satin pajamas day drinking. At first Kathryn was genuinely annoyed at Sebastian's insistence that she clean herself up. She earned the right to be as disgusting as she pleased thank you very much. However, he was being uncharacteristically kind to her, so she did as he asked, and she refrained from pointing out how he dressed exclusively in vomit and novelty tees during his own downward spiral. In the end he's right. While she still feels like warmed over death, she at least feels a smidge more like herself.

Thanks to that shit show of an assembly, they got an additional couple of days off which Kathryn was eternally grateful for. She knew when the time came, she would have to show her face at school. There would be no calling in sick, no ill aunt she had to visit out of the country. There was no way she'd give Hargrove the satisfaction of thinking their break-up had even the slightest impact on her life. Her pride would demand nothing less.

At least now she had a little extra time to get her shit together and figure out a game plan. Until then she'd spend her time indulging in her depression and anger with a bottle of Macallan and Sebastian's weirdly comforting presence.

It was odd. She had gotten so used to being combative with him, she had nearly forgotten that there was a time when they were friends, when he was her only friend really. They could talk for hours or sit in complete silence and be totally at ease with one another. She had never had that with anyone. Not even Annette.

The whole sexual tension element of their relationship had been temporarily put on the back burner as well. Not once did Sebastian attempt to cop a feel or drop any lude innuendo. He didn't sneak a peek when she changed or offer to 'help her with the hard to reach spots' when she showered. Even when he woke up with morning wood (Kathryn had taken to falling asleep with him) there was no salacious comment or request that she help him out with it. Instead he ignored it, awkwardly shuffling around before disappearing into the bathroom. Of course, Kathryn never mentioned it either, but the question lingered in the back of her gin filled brain.

Why aren't you trying to fuck me?

The subject finally came to light three days into their mutual isolation thanks to her stepfather of all people.

They were in Sebastian's room, lounging on opposite ends of the bed. He was reading Chekhov while Kathryn spun elaborate (only slightly drunken) revenge fantasies against Annette they both knew she would never go through with.

Sebastian looked up from his book with a doubtful expression. "But where would you even find a longshoreman and a human sized crate on such short notice?"

Kathryn paused in her rant and shrugged. "I'm sure Blaine knows someone."

He opened his mouth to reply when the bedroom door suddenly flew open and Edward appeared. "Ah-ha!"

"Hey dad"

Clearly, expecting to find something salacious going on, her stepfather's face fell in comic disappointment at what he found. "Oh, ah, I thought I heard you in here with someone."

"Only me," Kathryn told me.

"Rest assured, Sullivan has been an excellent cock blocker," Sebastian drawled.

"Well, good." He looked back and forth between them. "Just so long as you're following the rules." He seemed to look at Kathryn with slight suspicion as he added, "All the rules."

"Yeah, I got it. Bye bye now"

With one last pointed look at them Edward made his exit. How fucking weird. Kathryn looked to Sebastian to find him smirking into his book. "What was all that about?"

"He's worried we're fucking."

"Why would he—oh god. I almost forgot about that." Somehow, she had nearly completely repressed the memory of her stepfather walking in on them that morning in the library. Suddenly that look he gave her made all kinds of sense.

"You don't think he told mother about that, do you?"

He scoffed. "I doubt it. I think he likes having his balls attached to his body." Looking up at her with a familiar glint in his eye, Sebastian set his book aside. "Though, it does bring up an interesting idea."

"Oh?"

"Well, I know when I'm feeling a little blue, there always one thing that makes me feel better."

Kathryn smiled knowingly back at him. "What pray tell would that be?"

"Fucking, of course," he told her with a salacious smirk.

She snorted into her glass of bourbon. "I was wondering why you hadn't brought that up yet."

He shrugged. "I was trying to be a gentleman."

"How perfectly boring." Kathryn stretched and affected a sigh. "I don't know. I really don't feel like going out."

"Who says you have to? There are plenty of options right here."

"Sullivan?"

When Sebastian scowled Kathryn allowed herself a small laugh. It was the first one she had in days. Sitting up she reached over and fiddled with the sling around his arm. "Last I checked you were incapacitated."

Taking hold of her hand, he traced his fingers over the top of her knuckles. "It's true I'm not at full strength but I can still be counted on to do some damage." As if to prove a point, he slowly drew his fingertips down her wrist eliciting a shiver from her. Kathryn met his dark stare and swallowed thickly. "I provide excellent lip service as well. You are particularly talented in that area as well in memory serves."

Kathryn cocked an unimpressed brow. "You think me giving you a blow job will make me feel better?"

Sebastian grinned impishly. "You never know until you try."

"You make an excellent point"

Holding her stepbrothers stare, Kathryn slowly crawled on her knees until she was hovering over him. With excruciating slowness, she ran her hands up his satin pajama pants until she got to the apex of his legs. Teasingly she ghosted a hand over the bulge of his crotch that was starting to stir to life. Sebastian tensed, breathing shallow all taunt like he could come by Kathryn's careless touch alone. She felt so goddam powerful. More powerful than she had in weeks. Leaning over him she applied a little more pressure against his groin, not quite gripping his cock, as her mouth drew closer to his parted lips. His tongue darted out to wet his mouth. By the time she reached for the top of his pajama bottoms he was openly panting. Kathryn leaned in and kissed him gently before pulling back. "On second thought. I think I'd much rather have a chocolate Sunday."

Kathryn hopped off the bed and fixed her pajamas, all the while doing her best to suppress the laughter that was threatening to erupt from her throat. "I'm going to the kitchen. Are you coming?"

Sebastian stared forlornly at his half-hard cock tenting his pants and pouted, "Apparently not."


When school resumed the following Wednesday, Annette braced for impact. She had been keeping her head down all weekend and had stayed off social media, so she wasn't exactly sure what she was walking into. When she arrived, what she found wasn't exactly what she had been expecting.

Everyone was eerily quiet. The halls usually filled with boisterous loud mouth boys and squealing, gigging girls was replaced with hushed whispers and silent stares. Kids gathered in small groups by the lockers and water fountains, shoulders hunched eyes wide and alert as if they were anticipating another shit storm to reign down on them. The whole school was like an open wound. Exposed and sore and more than a little on edge. Under normal circumstances Annette would have been mildly amused to see these rich brats look so humbled, but she was feeling anything but normal at the moment.

She was however grateful that nobody seems to be singling her out in any way. Unlike when Kathryn's little indiscretion was aired, there was nobody calling her a slut or graffitiing her locker. A cheerleader who was shown performing ass to mouth on video, looked up at her from across the hall with a meek, sympathetic smile of solidarity. Annette returned it while inwardly rolling her eyes. She didn't know if she could make it through a whole school year being viewed as one of Sebastian's many cast-off's.

Annette went through her daily routine more or less on autopilot. Shiv greeted her with a latte and slung a protective arm around her shoulder. She knew about the break-up of course, but she didn't ask her how she was doing. For this Annette was eternally grateful.

"So, there's a rumor going around that Court Reynolds shot Sebastian," she remarked as Annette fished out her civics book. "Got arrested and everything. Do you know anything about it?"

Annette kept her poker face perfectly in place. She didn't want any more drama. "I haven't heard anything about it."

"Come on, I know you were there that night."

She smiled wanly. "I plead the fifth your honor."

Court wasn't in school. Annette wondered how they managed to keep this all out of the papers. Privileges of the rich she supposed.

Shiv didn't press. "Well they gave her, her job back." There's no need to ask who she was referring to. "Surprise, surprise."

"Good. She deserves it." Annette sure as hell didn't want it anymore.

Siobhan clearly didn't agree, but she knew not to pick at Annette's own open wound.

The first couple classes went by without incident. Still, she could feel herself holding her breath. She hadn't seen Kathryn all day, but she knew she was there. Annette had heard her name on few peoples lips that morning. The general consensus seemed to be that she was just as much one of Sebastian's victims as the girls in the videos. Somehow it got around about Valmont being accused on setting the fire and distributing Kathryn's self-love tape. Apparently, nobody questioned the incestual implications of him showing a soft-core porn tape of his sister. In any event Annette was pleased. Knowing Kathryn's reputation had been at least somewhat restored made her feel a little less guilty. A little less like a pile of shit.

See, you didn't completely ruin her life. She'll be fine. You'll be fine. Get over it. It's fucking high school.

Annette repeated her little pep talk throughout the day. It seemed to be working as she managed to get through filed hockey practice without thinking about her. Which was of course when she finally saw her.

She was at her locker, talking about her Yale admissions essay with Sophie, when she looked up and there she was, walking down the hallway like it was her personal runway, flanked by a couple of her minions. Kathryn was perfectly poised as ever, not a hair out of place or a wrinkle to be found as she moved with her typical elegance, offering up an occasional serene smile to the commoners. As she approached, Annette held her breath, waiting for what she couldn't be sure. Anger, awkwardness, distress. Something. It never came.

Kathryn's eyes passed over her as if she isn't there. As if she was never there at all. She never broke stride once. It felt like a gut punch.

"There will be no cliché retrieval of personal items, no lingering looks in the hallway at school. We'll erase everything. It will be like this whole thing never happened."

Why did she not believe her? Did she honestly expect anything less? Of course she would move forward and not look back. They were the same in that way. Self-preservation at all costs.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Sophie was staring at her with concern. It took a moment for the question to register. Annette forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Looking down the hall at Kathryn's retreating back she asked, "Want to get lunch?"


Kathryn couldn't find her cross. She suspected Sebastian had it stashed somewhere. Her darling brother was trying to play protector. How quaint. How terribly, utterly, annoying.

It didn't matter. She'd find plenty more goodies where she was heading. She already had a bump from her emergency stash. While it gave her that initial energy boost, she was still feeling on edge, restless. Kathryn wanted another line but didn't want to risk a nosebleed this early in the evening.

She was tarring around her room in her Eres bra and panties, looking for her cross, despite knowing it was likely hiding somewhere across the hall. Kathryn was on the floor on her hands and knees searching, with her barely covered ass up in the air when her brother decided to make his entrance. "Well, apparently I arrived just in time for the floor show. Evening sis," he greeted her, voice warmly amused.

Kathryn rolled her eye and looked at him over her shoulder. "Have you seen my cross?"

"Can't say I have," he remarked, blatantly ogling her ass.

She knew he was lying, but she wasn't in the mood to go ten rounds about it, so she let it be for the moment. Instead, she headed to her closet to find the perfect outfit for the night, ignoring her stepbrother's curious stare. Read the room, darling brother, I'm in no mood for your familial concern tonight.

Sebastian followed after. "I haven't seen you all day."

"Well, some of us still have to attend school," she bitchily replied, shoving through racks of designer clothes.

"Well some of us don't have a choice. How was it?"

School was the reason she needed a night out despite it being a Wednesday. Just as she had anticipated, it was a total fucking nightmare. She spent half of the day making bullshit apologies on behalf of her stupid brother (which yes, she was partially to blame for, but whatever) and the other half dodging rumors about what went down with Court. Luckily, her PR game was still on point and nobody stopped to question any of the many lies she spun that day. After nine hours of that she was in desperate need of a stiff drink. And a stiff dick.

Not wanting to get into all the gory details with him she merely replied, "It was fine. They reappointed me student body president. Something about the last candidate being unfit for the job."

He rolled his eyes, as he flopped down on to the white settee in her walk in. Fiddling with the sash of his robe he drawled, "Is everyone still in a tizzy about little old me?"

"Of course. You'll be happy to know, you were on more mouth's than that summer we vacationed on the Amalfi Coast. It will be a miracle if you're ever allowed to show your face in polite society again."

"So, what, you think I'll be good by Christmas?"

"Probably"

Sebastian grinned impishly. "Good. I'd hate to miss Aunties annual Christmas gala. I fucked that Czech supermodel last year."

"Oh, what it must be like to be you." Kathryn rolled her eyes at him. The reminder of how easy it was for him to bounce back from things rankled her all the more. She grabbed a tight black mesh Herve Leger dress and put it on.

"So, did you see her?"

Kathryn was grateful her back was to him at that moment so he couldn't see her flinch. She waited a beat before replying, assured that her tone would be even and devoid of emotion. "Yes," she replied. Not that she hadn't tried her damnedest to avoid her, but it felt as if she was around every corner she turned, watching her, studying her with those clever, insightful eyes. Why the hell couldn't she just do as she was told and just pretend not to see her like Kathryn was doing? She supposed she should just be grateful she hadn't tried to talk to her.

Kathryn busied herself at her mirror, trying on different shoes. She tried to ignore her stepbrother's reflection in the mirror, watching her, not unlike Annette did earlier. He wanted more and she was in no mood for this fucking conversation.

Of course, Sebastian refused to take the hint. "Did you talk to her?"

She scoffed. "Of course not."

"I just thought—"

"What, did you expect me to write her some pathetic letter, begging for her to take me back? Unlike you brother dear, I don't feel the need to lower myself by acting like a complete fucking loser."

Sebastian's flinched at the harsh rebuke. Almost immediately Kathryn regretted it. She never used to feel guilty when she said cruel things to him, but one look at his sad, broody face and something unpleasant twisted her stomach.

"But you don't seem to have a problem acting like a completely fucking bitch," he tossed back, with little bite.

"Never have, never will," she replied with a lightness she wasn't feeling.

"Are you going somewhere?" he asked as if just realizing now that she was changing.

"Yep. I need a night away from this place." And your ever present concern.

Grabbing a leather clutch she brushed past him on her way out of the closet. Sebastian followed after. "Give me a minute to get dressed and I'll go with you."

"You can't remember? You're grounded," she taunted with a mocking grin.

Sebastian, unbothered, shrugged. "I'll sneak out. The old man will never know."

"I don't think so." Walking to the door she opened it and called out, "Sullivan!"

He came up behind her and closed the door before the burly bodyguard could be summoned. Leveling a dark look at her he remarked, "So it's like that, is it?"

"It's like that." She shrugged. "It's nothing personal. I just need a break from everything and everyone. I'm starting to feel suffocated. You know how it is. Don't wait up."

She opened the door only for him to slam it closed once again. He leaned in close to her. "Don't go," he said, voice almost pleading. "Stay…we'll order out from Naruto and watch old movies. I'll let you pick this time."

For the smallest second she was tempted, but then that voice in the back of her head, the one who urged her to scratch that itch, to burn it all down, quickly reminded her who she was—a total fucking bitch. Kathryn laughed meanly. "God, could you be more pathetic?"

"Kathryn—"

"You're so goddamn transparent. You honestly expect me to buy this phony concern. Please Valmont, I know you. Don't pretend for one minute this isn't about getting your dick serviced."

He drew back from her and shook his head, with a sardonic grin he sneered, "You know me too well sis."

"I do. Now what have you done with my cross?"

"I told you, I haven't seen it." His face gave nothing away, but he shifted just slightly back from her as if not wanting her to get too close.

Kathryn shook her head at him, then slid up close pressing herself against him. "Oh Sebastian," she cooed, nuzzling his nose, "You're so terribly…" she reached into the pocket of his pajama pants "…terribly…" she smiled as she pulled out her beloved necklace, "…predictable."

"I emptied it"

"And I'll refill it." Kathryn opened the door and this time met no resistance. She blew him a kiss before exiting. "Don't wait up!"


"Donnelly, I need a favor." When he was greeted with a long, tentative pause he impatiently rolled his eyes before clarifying, "It's Valmont."

"Sebastian, how did you get my number?"

Of course, that was what would concern wonder bread. "Never mind that. Look, I need you to go pick up Kathryn."

"Pick her up? Pick her up from where?"

"I'm not entirely sure."

He sighed as if he was the one trying his patients. "Okay, well why can't you pick her up yourself?"

"I'm a bit…incapacitated at the moment. Look, Captain America, you like her right? Well this is your chance to play hero. Don't guys like you have a hard on for that kind of thing?"

"Sebastian what's going on?"

Realizing he was getting nowhere with his usual charm tactics he broke it down. "She's not doing great…with everything. She went out in her best slut dress to blow off some steam. I just want to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. Trust me, the last thing I wanted to do was call you but given recent events, I'm not allowed to leave the house." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. Christ, being honest was annoying. "Can you please go find her?"

"Yeah of course. Do you know any places she might have gone to give me a starting point?"

Sebastian listed off a couple clubs and Jack promised he'd track her down. Hanging up the phone, he told himself for the hundredth time that night that he was a fucking chump for getting involved in any of this. All week, he had been nothing but the consummate gentleman, taking care of her, putting up with her shit, and where does it get him? Kicked in the figurative balls once again. After the way she behaved towards him that evening, he should have just washed his hands of her. She wants to act like a bi-polar headcase and fuck all of Manhattan? Who was he to stand in her way? Good-luck sweetheart, don't call me in the morning.

However, he couldn't get that pathetic image of her crowded in her bed all disgusting like out of his head. He knew Hargrove broke something in her when she left her like that and despite her bitch-monster tendencies, he recognized her behavior was coming from a place of pain. She didn't know how to handle it, so she was just going to try to numb herself with drugs or sex or cruelty. He knew all too well it wouldn't work. She'd just end up hurting herself more. Sebastian told himself he was just trying to limit the fall out, but even he wasn't delusional enough to buy that.

At least he wasn't stupid enough to call in love like Hargrove and Donnelly. So, there's that.

He spent the next few hours trying to get lost in Dickens, while checking his phone every ten minutes to no avail. He told himself he'd give it another thirty minutes and then he was going to bed. He did his part. Jack could handle the rest.

An hour later, he was barely a quarter in Great Expectations, when he heard a commotion down the hall. Sebastian sat up. A moment later a slurry, sultry Kathryn called out, "OOOHHH SEBASTIIIAANNN!"

He had never been so thrilled to hear that familiar call. Still, he had some pride left. He refused to come out just because she beckoned. He'd wait until she inevitably made her entrance.

A long moment passed and she called out again. Only this time she was just more belligerent. "Sebastian! Get your ass out here and come FUCK ME!"

Jesus Christ. Well, if the staff wasn't clued in about his super dysfunctional relationship with his stepsister, they were now. Sebastian leapt from the bed and tore down the hall, to silence her before she ran her mouth any further. He found her in the parlor, teetering in her six inch Louboutin's while Sullivan tried to contain her roving hands. This was going to be fun.

When she saw him, her face broke into a sultry, drunken grin. "Here he is, the prince of pussy himself. Hello brother dearest."

"Kathryn, have fun? Where's Donnelly?"

"He's in the cab, icing his balls." Forgetting about Sullivan for the moment, she latched on to him instead, letting her hands roam freely about his chest. "The dumb fuck told every bartender and bouncer that I was underage so they wouldn't serve me."

"The nerve"

She giggled, clearly high on something. "He learned his lesson. He won't be walking right for at least a week. You sent him after me, didn't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Liar, liar pants on fire. Well you can make it up to be by taking me back to your room and fucking my brains out." She snaked a hand into his robe and grabbed at his cock. "I want you to tie me up then I want you to stick this in my ass."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Sebastian chanced a glance at Sullivan to find his eyebrows had shot up at the remark. He wondered if he really hadn't known about them or if it was just his sister's vulgar language and her sordid fetishes that surprised him.

Grabbing at her roaming hands he told her with more patients then he felt, "Kathryn let's go clean you up."

"Come on," she purred, rubbing up against him like a horny kitten. "You'll love it. I know Sullivan certainly did when I let him have the privilege."

Sebastian shot the older man a look. For the first time in the ten years he'd known him, he appeared uneasy. He could guess why. It probably wouldn't look too good if he got caught fucking his bosses underage daughter.

Tucking that incriminating piece of intel away for later he remarked pointedly, "I'm sure he did." Tugging Kathryn away he told her, "Let's go sober you up."

Kathryn, not paying attention to a word he said, tried to take off his clothes as he led her back to his bedroom. As soon as the door closed behind them, she started removing her dress. Sebastian tried to put a stop to it, tugging her dress straps back up. "We're not doing this."

She sputtered out a little laugh, "Says you."

Kathryn grabbed him by the back of the neck and lunged at his mouth. She kissed him all hungry and sloppy. It took more than a little force to pull her off. "Stop it," he ordered. Then he stupidly tutted out a little laugh. "You're being ridiculous."

Something flashed in her eyes for a moment and suddenly she didn't appear as drunk as before. "What's ridiculous dear brother is you."

He flinched, recalling those words with a weird sort of precision. Christ, they were even standing in the exact same spot as last time. No matter what they did, they seemed to be constantly reliving the same scenes. It was like Fucking Groundhog Day for assholes.

"You're trashed," Sebastian sighed, stating the obvious.

"So what," Kathryn exclaimed. "That didn't seem to bother you before. I was a mess the last time we hooked up, but you didn't have any trouble getting it up so don't give me that shit, like you're suddenly all noble and well intentioned. Crock of shit."

Sebastian winced recalling the last time they were together. "I'm sorry about that, I never should have—"

"Fuck your sorry's, let's go."

She was on him again, all eager hands, one grabbing him around the neck while the other attempted to fish out his uninterested dick. Sebastian grabbed at her wrists, trying to fend her off without hurting her. "Kathryn, stop," he ordered her calmly. He managed to dislodge her hand around his dick without any permanent damage. Grasping her wrists, he held them tightly to his own chest as she struggled against him. "This isn't going to help anything. It will just make you feel worse in the morning."

"Spare me you the life lessons Oprah. Let go!"

They struggled for a moment, Kathryn cursing, flailing about trying to get free, Sebastian held on refusing to let go. If that wasn't a metaphor for their fucking relationship, he didn't know what was. Gravity eventually won out, with them slipping to their knees. He used the opportunity to grab her around the waist pulling her in tightly. "Calm down," he whispered harshly into her hair.

"Let me go! Let me go! Let…me…" she trailed off, her voice breaking into incoherent mumbles. It took him longer than it should have to realize she was crying. Actually, to be more accurate she was sobbing. Sebastian went stock still. In all the years he'd known her, Sebastian had never actually seen her cry. For a while, he never even thought it possible. He was a fucking moron.

"I hate this," she cried, face pressed to his chest. "It fucking hurts."

"I know," he murmured, chin pressed to her head.

"I hate her for doing this to me."

You won't always, he thought, but he knew better than to say as much.

Sebastian let her cry until she got it all out of her system. When her tears ceased, she remained prone against his chest. For a moment he feared she passed out, but then she pulled back. Rubbing her face, not meeting his eyes, she murmured, "Sorry."

He shook his head, silencing her apology as he helped her to her feet. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

He took her to the bathroom where he gently cleaned her make-up off and then helped her into one of his night shirts. She must have still been a little out of it, as she barely said a word, just stared into space as he took care of her. Sebastian tucked her into his bed and crawled in next to her, picking up his forgotten book as he waited for her to fall asleep.

"Sebastian?" she called out rolling over.

"Hmm?"

"Is this how you felt, after what Annette and I did to you?"

He looked back at her genuinely caught off guard, which after the night he had was quite the accomplishment. He considered making some kind of quip, but instead just nodded.

Looking up at him from underneath the covers, her freshly scrubbed face making her appear younger than normal, she whispered, "I'm sorry I did that to you."

He shrugged. "Forget it, it's done with."

She had never apologized for anything before. Ever. Sebastian swallowed thickly. He didn't know what he was supposed to do with any of this. It was so much easier when they could just hate each other.


Annette was running late that morning. The days of sleepless nights finally caught up with her and she slept through her alarm. If it hadn't been for the gardeners annoying weed whacking in the backyard, she likely would have slept till noon. Thankfully, her father was already up and gone by the time she got downstairs. She didn't have time for breakfast, so she grabbed a pop tart, filled her coffee tumbler and stumbled out the door. She was so distracted trying to get her physics book in her bag and not drop everything and that she didn't notice there was someone in her driveway until he called out for her.

"Hey beautiful, do you know where a guy can get a decent cup of coffee around here? Or a blow job?"

It was Trevor. Annette was so shocked she dropped everything save for the pop tart lodged in her mouth. She blinked, several times as if not quite believing her eyes. Which was idiotic. It was totally like Trevor Abbott to just show up on her doorstep with no warning.

Ignoring her dropped items, she took off in a sprint across the lawn and leapt into arms. "Oh my god! What are you doing here?!"

He lifted her up, hugging her with his familiar exuberance while at the same time fishing out some cash to pay the Uber driver waiting patiently by the Ford Focus. "What do you mean? Since when do I need an excuse to see my best girl?" He asked it as if he was just visiting from down the block and not clear across the Atlantic.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have met you at the airport."

"I wanted it to be a surprise, sugar."

Annette pressed her face into his warm chest and breathed in his familiar scent. She was suddenly filled with the bizarre urge to cry. "I'm so happy to see you," she sighed.

"Me too." He gave her another tight squeeze then stepped back to examine her. "Let me take a look. Well, the good news is you look no worse for wear. Aside from the hideous uniform and…are you wearing a headband?"

She shoved him playfully. "Shut up idiot. What are you really doing here?"

Hands in his leather coat he shrugged. "Don't know, thought you could use your best friend to kick around."

"I'm fine"

He smiled ruefully at her, shaking his head. "Sweetheart, you might be able to snow these fucked-up rich kids, but you know that shit doesn't fly with me."

He wasn't wrong of course. She never could lie to him, not well at least. Annette sighed. "I'm…dealing. One day at a time and all that crap."

"Uh-huh. Self-medicating?"

She thought of that bottle of whiskey hidden under her mattress and the weed in her jewelry box and shrugged. "A little bit. Nothing too interesting." Reaching out she affectionately rubbed the stubble on his handsome face. "So, how long are you staying?"

He shrugged again, forever unbothered. "I dunno, maybe a week. You think Headmaster Hardass with care if I crash here a few days?"

"Probably, but who cares." Her father hated Trevor but had long ago accepted him as a necessary evil.

He slung an arm around her shoulder and led her back to the house. "So, what are you up to today?"

"I know it's been a whole whopping three months since you've been in high school, but we're still required to attend on a work week."

"How tragic."

"You want me to show you around campus?"

Trevor looked out towards the brick buildings in the distance and frowned. "Hard pass. Unlike you sweetness, I've never had a hard on for higher education. I got an idea. How about you Ferris Bueller it, and you show me around this city of yours."

Annette's first instinct was to say no. She had midterm prep, a debate against Spence and a test in western civ. This was definitely not the time to ditch. However, the prospect of possibly running into Kathryn again made it nearly impossible to resist.

"Fuck it. Let's go."


Annette wasn't at school on Friday. Kathryn did a drive-by of her homeroom, letting her gaze do a brief cursory sweep, before landing on her empty chair. Something deflated in her chest and she wasn't sure what to make of it. She had one of her underlings discreetly look into it in the admissions office and discovered Annette called in sick. Kathryn was deeply annoyed.

In consumed her thoughts and distracted her all day, which in turn pissed her off. She was doing exactly what she promised herself she wouldn't—obsessing about her ex, like all her loser friends do when they get dumped. How terribly common.

To add insult to injury, it completely sidetracked her and she nearly forgot that it was Sebastian's last day in New York. He was supposed to be shipping out later that afternoon and Kathryn had intended on cutting out early so she could see him off.

The prospect of not seeing him after today suddenly made her heartbreak over Annette seem like a dim memory. He had been so great to her over the past week, keeping her distracted with liquor and movies and carbohydrates he refused to let her get rid of. Even when she was a total bitch to him, he still took care of her. At first, she suspected he might be up to something, possibly planning some revenge for getting him sent to Military school. But after the incident the other night when he was so gentle and good to her after she because a totally cliched basket case, she realized he was on the level. Kathryn might be a little off her game at the moment, but Sebastian wasn't that good an actor. It was quite possible, for the first time in their twisted relationship there was no hidden agendas at play. They were finally being real. Normal.

Well, as normal as two stepsiblings who like to fuck could be.

Kathryn even attempted to plead his case with her mother the day before. That had been an obvious waste of time. She called her mother in Palm Springs (or wherever she was hiding out) and tried to explain that sending Sebastian away would only hurt the family's reputation in the long run. She spun some bullshit about how it looked like they were admitting culpability by sending him away, when really those girls were just as much to blame. She even suggested they try to pin the whole thing on Court somehow, but her mother only laughed. He must have something really good on you, to make you try to spin that horseshit. As always, her mother was completely useless.

She considered going to Aunt Helen to ask for a favor, but she guessed she would only insist it was necessary to protect the family name. The worst part of all of this was it was all her fault this was happening in the first place. If she hadn't been so consumed with making him pay none of this would be happening

Kathryn decided that if she couldn't keep Sebastian in New York, the least she could do was give him a memorable send off. In order to pull it off however she was going to need a favor. Luckily, her proclivity for messing around with older men looked like it was finally going to pay off.

"Nicholas?" she chirped into her cell in her best debutante purr. "It's Kathryn Merteuil."

"What can I do for you Ms. Merteuil?" the gruff pilot greeted her, all business like.

"I understand you're flying my brother to Utah this afternoon."

"Yes ma'am. We should be wheels up in a couple hours."

"Well I think there's going to be a change of plans. I need you to tell my stepfather that there's something wrong with the plane and you can't take off till tomorrow morning."

Her request was met with a long pause, followed by an uncomfortable cough. "Uh, I don't think I can just—"

"Oh but you can Nick," she assured him, her tone never losing its seductive lilt even when it took on a more sinister edge. "Unless of course you'd like me to tell your wife how you spent last Easter, balls deep in my underage twat. Are you getting the picture?"

"I think I am. What would you like me to tell him Miss?"

"You're a smart man Nick, I'm sure you'll think of something."

"Right. I'll take care of it, Ms. Merteuil."

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you."


The bitch was going to blow him off.

Sebastian tried not to be disappointed by this. The more practical, generous side of himself tried to remember that she had a lot going at the moment, what with the Annette of it all. It was quite possible she forgot or got hung up at school. The more petty, more cynical part of him (admittedly the more dominate aspect) was annoyed that she couldn't for once show a little more consideration towards him. After everything they went through this week (hell the last couple months) he would have thought he at least deserved a proper goodbye. Apparently, his stepsister disagreed. He had kind of hoped she would have blown school off today, but when he half-heartedly suggested it, she coldly informed him she wouldn't give Annette the satisfaction. No matter what, it always seemed to come back to that bitch.

With his plane set to take off in less than an hour, Sebastian was dragging his feet packing up last minute things. Looking around his beloved bedroom, it was depressing to think he wouldn't be there for months. He was going to miss it dearly. He was going to miss a lot of things actually.

"All packed?"

Sebastian looked up from his carry-on Marc Jacobs to find Kathryn lingering in the doorway still dressed in her school uniform. "Just about." Not wanting to give away how pleased he was she showed up, he instead joked, "Hey, you think if I stash a knife in my bag, they'd throw me in juvie? I've been scanning through Braxton Hill's brochure and I think it might be preferable."

"I wouldn't risk it." Kathryn stepped further into the room, her mouth twisted in a wry smile. "You're far too pretty for juvie."

"You have a point."

"How's the arm?"

Sebastian spared a brief glance at his arm, still bandaged but hidden under his cashmere sweater. "It's fine, unfortunately. It's a shame Reynolds didn't hit something more vital. I might have been able to put this off another couple weeks."

Kathryn's smile fell, a crease formed between her brows. "That's not funny."

He was taken aback by her sudden shift in mood, watching as she took a seat on his bed, shoulders straight and tense, legs folded crossed at the ankles. Looking away from her, he pretended to busy himself with something at his desk. "You've come to see me off?"

"Well I thought someone from the family should. I take it Edward's nowhere to be found."

"He sent an apology text, he got caught up in a meeting."

"I take it that's code from breaking in another executive assistant?"

"Probably"

They shared a knowing grin. Sebastian was struck by how much he was going to miss her. "So, will you survive without me?"

"I'll manage"

"I mean…" he hesitated, knowing how bad they both were with his honestly/empathy crap. "Are you okay?"

Kathryn looked down at her hands and replied quietly, "No, but I will be, eventually. You don't have to worry. I'm not going to OD in the bathroom or anything pathetic like that."

"It never crossed my mind," he lied.

Rising up from the bed, she smoothed down her the imaginary wrinkles in her tartan skirt. "Well, you ended up shot and I wound up dumped. That's karma for you."

Sebastian swung his bag onto his shoulder as he headed for the door. "Karma can suck my dick."

"Why not? Everyone else has."

He paused and looked back at her with a sly grin that she returned as she followed him out. Tossing his bag alongside the other's stacked in front of the baby grand, he turned back to her, letting his arms flop dramatically at his sides. "Well, I guess this is goodbye."

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "You're going off to boarding school, not war idiot."

"It's Military school," he corrected, pouting. "And it might as well be."

She laughed, not all together meanly, as she stepped to him, running her hands down the lapels of his jacket. Eying her only half-sincere he asked, "Will you miss me?"

"I suppose. Whomever will I torture in your place?"

An image of Jack Donnelley flashed in his mind, looking longingly at his stepsister. Sebastian silently ground his teeth. He could barely handle her and Hargrove together. He didn't want to have to contend with that asshole too.

"I'm sure you'll find someone," he told her stiffly. "You usually do."

She didn't seem to catch the sharpness in his tone or else she was ignoring it. Looking up at him through her lashes she remarked thoughtfully, "It's always you and me in the end, isn't it?"

Suddenly he found it difficult to swallow. "Seems that way."

"I guess that's not the worst thing in the world."

Her hand slipped around his neck and she drew him forward into a kiss. It was slow and languid, almost as if they were trying to savor it, like they knew it might be the last one. It was Kathryn who pulled away first, but just her mouth, her arms remained tightly around his neck holding him close.

"Come to the airport with me."

She laughed, nuzzled his nose. "So we can have a tearful goodbye at the gate," she mocked. "How horribly idiotic."

"We could hop another plane. It would be at least a week before they noticed we were missing," he told her only half kidding.

Kathryn humored him. "And where would we go?"

"Venice."

Her eyes widened briefly. "Been giving this some thought, have you?"

He had. It had been a long week. "Maybe. You hate the beach. Paris is too cliché. Venice is just cliché enough. Ever fuck in a gondola?"

She laughed. "Can't say I have. Perhaps you can take me on spring break."

He leaned in a kissed her again in lieu of an answer. It was a little more urgent this time. It was all slipping away. "I'll miss you," he admitted in a rush against her lips.

He felt her smile and start to say something when they heard approaching footsteps. Immediately they stepped apart, Sebastian licked the taste of her from his mouth. It was Sullivan, his expression as always devoid of any emotion. "The pilot just called. Apparently, there's some kind of problem with the engine. Your flight is delayed until tomorrow morning. He'll call with more details later tonight. Your father said to tell you that the same rules apply—no leaving the house."

For once that was a rule he was more than happy not to break. "Thanks Sullivan."

Sebastian could hardly believe his luck. He waited until he had left the room before swinging back to face his stepsister. "Well it looks like I got a temporary reprieve." Tapping a finger against his lips he pretended to ponder, "Whatever will I do in the meantime?"

Eyes flashing with wicked intentions, Kathryn grabbed a fistful of his shirt and dragged him back to his bedroom. "I have a few ideas…"

Sebastian allowed himself to be tugged, an idiotic smile spread across his face as they disappeared into the bedroom. As soon as he closed the door behind them, she was on him, pulling him by the back of the head into a heated kiss. Unlike the night before, there was nothing overly aggressive or sloppy about it, like she was trying to prove something. Forgetting for a moment, his vow to not take advantage of her heartbroken state, Sebastian allowed himself to kiss her back, his lips parting against hers, his head tilting to deepen the kiss. Her fingers slid through his hair and tugged sending a jolt of pleasure to his dick. Fuck he should not be this turned on by a damn kiss.

Kathryn slipped her other hand up his shirt, letting her manicured nails drag against the heated flesh of his skin. Sebastian groaned, realizing he had to put a stop to this as they were dangling too close to the edge of no return. Grasping his stepsister by the face, he pulled back to examine her. He searched her expression looking for any kind of indication that this wasn't what she wanted. For the first time all week he saw no lingering traces of sadness peaking out along the edges. Her face was flushed and her eyes bright and horny. She wanted this, she wanted him and yet he couldn't shake some lingering thought that this was wrong, that he was taking advantage—

Oh, to hell with it.

He was sick of doing the right thing. The right thing was boring. Let the Jack Donnelley's of the world stew in their righteousness and good intentions. Sebastian just wanted to fuck.

Still clutching her face, he pulled her back into kiss, this time he took the lead, letting her know exactly where this was going. For a brief moment he panicked Kathryn might pull back, let out husky bark of laughter at his expense, before sashaying out of the room. A year ago that's exactly what she would have done, hell a week ago even. But something had shifted between them this past week, into what he couldn't be sure, but they weren't the same. There would be no pulling away this time.

They stumbled back to the bed, all eager lips and groping hands. Sebastian lifted her and tossed her onto it with little thought to his injured arm. He had a feeling it would be plenty sore after tonight, but whatever it would be worth it.

Kathryn laughed, running a hand through her hair and then began making quick work of her clothes, tearing off her cardigan, followed by her white button up. Sebastian followed suit, discarding his jacket and sweater. Their eyes met, and they smiled, flushed and giddy with excitement. Before she could get her underwear off, he tugged her back into a wanton kiss, making her moan. Sebastian reached between them, pulling her tits out of her bra and letting them sit on top. He flicked his tongue over her lips as his thumbs rubbed teasing circles over her hard little nipples. Kathryn whimpered Then she did something that just about made him cum in his pants like a ninth grader. She reached down and began to wantonly rub her pussy through her panties. Sebastian stepped back to observe her. "Let me see," he murmured.

She arched a brow, but did as requested, sitting back more and spreading her legs lewdly. She palmed her cunt, while two fingers rubbed at her clit. "You better not pull out your fucking camera this time," she threatened.

"No need, I'll definitely remember this."

He wasn't kidding. This was so much better than a grainy video and half-forgotten frolic in a taxi. In the light of day and sober it was a complete revelation to watch Kathryn take her pleasure like this. As much as this was a show for him, there was no doubt she was very much getting off on it. Her hips ground down against the mattress as she worked herself over. Watching her Sebastian absently reached for his dick and stroked. Kathryn's glazed eyes met him. "Take it out," she ordered, voice husky with want.

Sebastian didn't have to be told twice. He unfastened his pants, let them fall to the floor along with his underwear while his hand gripped his hard on. He groaned as he slowly began to jerk himself off, pre-cum drooling from the tip. Kathryn's gaze locked into it as her hand began to speed up. "Harder," she ordered him. "Fuck it, like you're going to fuck me."

You asked for it sweetheart.

Sebastian began to let it rip, jerking himself almost violently as he watched her fuck her hand in earnest. He waited with anticipation to see which one of them would cum first.

Come on baby, let me see you let go.

Before either one of them could pass the finish line so to speak, Kathryn abruptly stopped and jerkily grabbed at his waist, pulling him forward until his cock hit her lips. Taking hold of him she began to suck him in earnest.

Oh, fuck me, yes.

God almighty she could suck cock. Like he had had his fair share of blowjobs (several peoples fair share actually) but there was something about Kathryn's that was on another level. He wasn't sure if she was more skilled or if it was just because it was her, but either way he wasn't complaining. Her cheeks hollowed as she bobbed enthusiastically on his length, her eyes flickering upwards to meet his. Even with a dick in her mouth she looked haughty. That was impressive.

Sebastian threaded a hand through her hair, tugging tightly as his hips began to thrust against her face. "Oh fuck," he groaned, that familiar churning in his balls signaling he didn't have much time left. Suddenly everything went white behind his eyes and he roared as he emptied his load down his stepsisters' throat.

It took him a minute to come back to earth. When he did, he opened his eyes to find Kathryn licking her fingers clean, looking entirely too smug.

"The Kat who got the cream"

"Ha ha"

He leaned in and kissed her. "Time to level the playing field"

Sebastian bent down on his knees and grabbing his stepsister by the waist he dragged her to the edge of the bed. He made quick work of her panties, tugging them impatiently down her legs, with her bra following after. He attacked her breasts, suckling and biting her swollen nipples until she was withering in the sheets then made a slow descent back between her legs where he took his time nuzzling and sucking her thighs and naked mound. It didn't take her long to get impatient, grabbing him by the hair, jerking him up to meet her annoyed stare. "I'm not going to beg, so put your mouth where it belongs before I walk out of here and go finish in my room with my vibrator." Eyes flashing deviously, she added, "Or on Sullivan's cock."

He recognized an empty threat when he heard it, but since he really wasn't in the mood to start a game that might end with him not getting laid, he did as she ordered. "Well, since you asked so nicely…" Sebastian spread her labia and took a long swipe from her asshole to her clit. Kathryn shuddered in pleasure. "That what you were looking for?"

"It's a start," she whined, arching against him. "More."

Sebastian attacked her cunt in earnest, suckling and licking every nook and cranny with unbridled enthusiasm, while keeping a near constant pressure on her engorged clit. It didn't take long for his darling sister to succumb to a babbling, incoherent mess, withering against the duvet so hard he had to pin her down to finish. For the grand finale he shoved a finger up her ass, making her jerk forward and call out his name as she orgasmed all over his tongue. He continued to deliver tiny, teasing licks against her clit that made her hips jerk and she whined in protest. Glancing up at her, he found her wide eyed, staring into space, panting, her hair messy and sticking to her temples her make-up gone to shit. Sebastian smiled smugly. Top that Hargrove.

He might have dove back in for another round, but little Sebastian was rearing to go again and he needed to get inside her before he embarrassed himself. Stumbling to his feet, his arm already whining in protest about what he was about to do, he rubbed his cock against her bare mound. He should probably rubber up, but fuck it, it wasn't like they hadn't done it before. Plus, who knows when he'd get to do this again. Mine as well enjoy it to the fullest.

Looping an arm under her knee, he spread her wide while his other hand gathered her wrists, pinning them to the bed above her head. She was totally at his mercy. He let his cock head breach her opening slowly, before he hauled his hips back and slammed inside her. Sebastian grunted in pleasure as he was swallowed up by her pulsating warmth. His hazy gaze met Kathryn's and they shared a brief, conspiratorial smile before he began fucking her in earnest.

The bed creaked with every slam of his hips, the headboard banging off the wall. Sebastian realized he probably should have put on some music or something to drown it out, but his phone was across the room and there was no way he was stopping to go search for it. To make matters worse Kathryn began moaning. Loudly.

She screamed so loud there would be little doubt Sullivan or whomever else was listening would know exactly what they were doing. Truth be told he didn't care about Sullivan knowing their business, but he didn't trust his father to suddenly show up and bust in on them.

"Shh," he ordered laughing as he said it.

Eyes flashing with devilish glee, Kathryn began to moan more theatrically, head tilted back as she cried out his name. "Oh, Sebastian harder, give it to me harder!" It was hot, don't get him wrong, but she was clearly doing it to be a brat. In retaliation Sebastian playfully covered her mouth with his hand. She in turn bit him. Hard.

"OW!" he exclaimed pulling back.

Kathryn giggled like a mischievous child. He shook his hand wryly at her. "You want to play?"

He pulled out of her abruptly then flipped her around onto her stomach. He jerked her hips up, then grabbing her by the back of the neck he pinned her face down on the mattress. Kathryn continued to laugh the whole time. "This what you want?"

"Uh huh"

Kathryn looked fucking incredible from behind, he could stare at the sight of her spread open and wanting all day and never get bored. Running a hand over her ass he teased, "You know I have half a mind to leave you like this. Bent over, exposed, your pussy all raw and open, begging to be filled."

"Sebastian…" she whined.

He waited a torturous beat then ordered, "Beg."

Honestly, he expected some kind of protest, or argument. Instead he was delighted when almost immediately she whimpered, "Fuck me, please. Fill me up. God…"

He didn't need any more than that. Hulling her back by the hips, he did as she asked, filling her to the brim. She cried out again, although he suspected she wasn't playing this time. Holding her down Sebastian fucked her hard, his hips snapping violently against her ass as he pummeled her insides. He soon lost himself in her, forgetting everything and everyone except for the exquisite sensation of her snug cunt. Reaching between them he palmed her pussy, rubbing erratically at her clit. Kathryn bucked against him, her whimpers soon turning into incoherent babbles of more, and harder, and fuck.

Leaning over her, face pressed to her sweaty shoulder blades. "Fuck…Kathryn…goddamnit…" Honestly, he had no idea what he was saying but it didn't matter anymore. They were both so far gone they didn't know their own names. Kathryn came first, jerking underneath him, before pulling him along with her. Sebastian had planned to finish on her back, but he was too lost in the fuck to care. He emptied out inside her, crying out against her shoulder before collapsing on top of her.

They laid in a sweaty heap for a long while, before Sebastian came back to himself and gently rolled off her. Kathryn groaned, turning on her side to face him. "That was intense."

He nodded in agreement. Totally beyond words. Truthfully, he could have slept for a week after that but there was no way in hell he was going to. He could sleep when he was at school. He wanted to spend the last hours in New York fucking her unconscious.

"You think they heard us?"

"Kathryn, I think all of fifth avenue heard you."

She grinned, totally unbothered. "Will you get in trouble?"

"Don't care." He leaned in a kissed her cheek, his hand already making the familiar trek down her body. "You were worth it."


"Well what do you think?"

"Hmm…I could totally live here."

They were walking past Central Park, having just come from doing a quick drive by of the MET. Annette had been trying to cram as much culture as she could into their little sightseeing odyssey while starving off most of the tourist crap. However, thirty minutes in Trevor started to get restless and ignoring her attempts to get him interested, spent most of the time flirting with the security guard. Annette gave up and they left, stopping at a food vendor to grab a hot dog.

Chatting about nothing in particular, Annette was struck by just how much she missed him. She had known Trevor since they were in diapers and he was her best friend, but deep down she never really thought she needed him. To be frank, she had always preferred her own company to anyone else's and outside of Trevor and Shiv never felt the need to cultivate friendships. But spending the afternoon with him, she realized how desperately she missed this, talking with him about absolutely nothing at all, with no threat of drama or head games. She could also be completely honest with him

"Thanks for coming to see me Trev." With her arm looped around his, she let her head rest against him as they walked. "I really wish you could stay. I don't know how I'm going to get through the rest of this year," she admitted quietly, gaze on the cars that whizzed past them throwing taillights.

Trevor threw an arm around her shoulders tugging her closer. "I'll tell you how you'll get through. As a bright, shinning, fucking success—just as always."

Annette smiled up at him, but she didn't really share his enthusiasm. Trevor quickly jumped topics, telling her about some club he wanted them to check out that night, when Annette looked up and came to a stop. Somehow, she had managed to forget that the Valmont Mansion was on this street, which was absurd given how often she used to frequent it. She stared across the street at the gothic building and suddenly she had trouble catching her breath.

"Ann? Annie?" Trevor ran a hand over her face to get her attention. "What's going on?"

She sighed and nodded with her head at the house. "That's where she lives."

There was no need to quantify who the 'she' was she was referring to. Trevor stood up a little straighter. "Shit. Which apartment is hers?"

Annette let out a short laugh. "Apartment? Try the whole building. The Valmont's have more money than god."

He let out a low whistle. "Impressive." Elbowing her side, in an obvious effort to loosen her up he asked, "You two used to mess around there?"

She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah all the time. Her bedroom in the one on the corner, I used to sneak up the servant's entrance so I wouldn't run into any of her family. This one time, late at night she was waiting for me when I arrived and…" Annette trailed off, not able to finish the memory. They had sex in the stairwell that night. It had been hot, no doubt, but it had also been something more. Annette remembered how euphoric she felt that night being with her, how she couldn't stop smiling or laughing. How Kathryn looked at her with that full smile of hers.

Annette suddenly felt like she was going to be sick. Dropping the unfinished hot dog in her hand, she collapsed on a nearby bench, panting hard like she just ran a marathon. Head bent over, she could feel her heart hammering in her chest and the blood rushing to her ears.

"Annette?" Trevor was beside her in an instant, his whole jovial manor replaced by anxious concern. "Annie what is it?"

I'm never going to have that again. Even if she did fall in love again it would never be what she had with Kathryn. It would never have that intensity, that power, that all-consuming passion. Annette ran from her because she didn't want me be swallowed up whole by her, but maybe that was the whole point.

Kathryn was gone to her now. Annette saw to it. She threw away their whole epic, crazy love because she was a fucking coward.

Before she even knew what was happening. Annette found herself sobbing. They caught in her throat, making it hard for her to breath and talk. Trevor wrapped her in a tight embrace, assuring her she was okay. "No, I'm not," she cried.

"Honey it's alright. I told you this would happen eventually," he assured. "No matter how much you repress it, this messy emotional shit always rises to the surface."

"It's not that." She pulled back wiping her eyes. "Trevor, I think I made a mistake."


Kathryn woke up alone. Blinking against the harsh morning light, that was streaming unsolicited through the heavy drapes, she was struck with immediately déjà vu. She woke up not knowing where she was until her gaze fell upon the wall of books in front of her. This time, however, instead of being horrified, she smiled into his sheets.

Turning around, sporting a dopey smile, she expected to find him beside her only no one was there. Odd. Groaning, Kathryn sat up in the bed and looked around. The room was just as she left it when she fell asleep the night before. Clothes scattered about, a dinner tray left forgotten on the floor, a bottle of Dom resting on the night side table. No Sebastian.

"Sebastian?" she called out softly, only to be met with silence. Both the bathroom and closet doors were open, so he wasn't in there.

Perhaps he went to get her breakfast. After all there was no way he'd leave without saying goodbye, right? Not after last night. Deciding she'd wait and let him surprise her, she laid back in bed, smirking as she recalled the events of the night before. Gazing at her wrists there were faint bruises left from when he pinned her to the bed. She felt sore all over, but it was a good kind of sore, one that felt well earned. God it had been an amazing night. Kathryn let him do whatever he wanted to her body. Well everything except that one thing. She offered of course, (actually she begged at one point) but he told her he wanted to wait until he returned for the holiday break as it would give him something to look forward to.

"Think of it as my Christmas gift"

"I would think after a semester at Military school you'd have your fill of ass fucking."

He tackled her then, tickling her until she screamed for him to stop and he obliged before finding much more interesting way to make her scream. Kathryn found herself smiling idiotically at the memory.

However, her grin soon melted away when she realized twenty minutes had passed and he still wasn't there. She checked her phone for any texts or missed calls. Nothing. Panic began to grip her throat when she thought he might have really left without saying goodbye. Getting up gingerly from the bed, she grabbed one of her stepbrother's robes and put it on before doing a quick check of the room looking for a note he might have left. Nothing.

Growing annoyed, she decided to go hunt for him. She searched the parlor and most of the second floor without success. When she heard someone in the east wing dining room, she grinned, turning on her heel she headed in the direction of the noise. "You better have a good excuse—oh."

Kathryn came up short when she found her stepfather sitting at the head of the long dining room table, a breakfast feast laid out before him. He offered up his usual jovial grin at her arrival. "Kathryn! Just in time. Join me for some breakfast sweetheart."

"Good morning Edward, I was looking for Sebastian."

"Oh, I'm sorry dear you just missed him."

Kathryn blinked in surprise. "He left?"

"Yes, first thing this morning." He rattled off some meaningless info about plane itinerary's or some bullshit she didn't hear. She couldn't believe he would just fucking walk out without at least saying goodbye. Remembering how giddy she felt this morning she suddenly felt like an asshole.

"Are you alright honey?"

She blinked, coming back to herself and forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep that well last night." Not exactly a lie.

Edward shot a pointed look at the oversized robe she was wearing, that clearly didn't belong to her and remarked, "So I gathered."

It occurred to her then that he likely heard them fucking last night. Oddly enough she didn't care. Refusing to be shamed or embarrassed, she merely offered up her stepfather a slight condescending smile before circling around the table to take the seat next to him. Kathryn wasn't particularly hungry, but she didn't want to look like she was going to cry in her bedroom because his stupid son fucked her and left her without so much as a note. Above all else, a Merteuil woman knows how to save face.

As a servant set a cup of coffee down in front of her Edward folded his newspaper up and remarked, "It's the damndest thing about that plane not taking off yesterday. And that excuse Nick gave…engine trouble. That plane hasn't had so much as a fuel leak since I bought it."

"Hmm," Kathryn hummed absently.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think someone might have unduly influenced him on Sebastian's behalf."

Kathryn allowed herself a slight smirk and replied innocently, "Now who would do that?"

Edward stared her down and when that had no effect on her he shook his head ruefully and declared,
"There's so much of your mother in you sometimes it's frightening."

"Fuck you," Kathryn replied apathetically.

He sighed, "Okay, let's cut the shit, shall we? I really didn't want to have this conversation with you, but you're leaving me no choice. I tried with Sebastian, but apparently it didn't take. You on the other hand have always been a practical girl, so here it is: this thing between you and Sebastian needs to stop."

Kathryn inhaled sharply. "It's really none of your concern."

"My children are fucking. I think it's very much my concern. Look, I know your mother and I aren't exactly parents of the year—" Kathryn snorted loudly and he shot her a look before continuing, "But that doesn't change the fact that we love you and don't want to see you fuck up your life. God forbid anyone finds out about this. It would not only screw up your lives but ours as well."

Kathryn of course was more than aware of all this, still she argued, "We're step-siblings Edward. We didn't grow up together, not really and no offense do you really see this unholy union of yours lasting much longer?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. As much as the woman drives me crazy, I do love your mother, very much and have no intentions of divorcing her anytime soon. So, if the two of you were planning on waiting this marriage out, I'd prepare to get comfortable. "

"We weren't planning on anything," she muttered into her coffee. "We're just fooling around."

"Look, I'm not saying all of this to be a jerk. Truth be told, if you weren't related to him, I'm be very happy for the two of you."

"Hurrah."

"But it needs to stop Kathryn. Seriously."

She stared at him for a long beat. Truth be told she didn't know what she felt at that moment, anger at him for getting involved or annoyance with herself for being so crushingly disappointed at being ditched once again.

"You have nothing to worry about Edward," she assured him. "It was just sex. We're not planning on running away together, we're not in love. We're just…killing time."

Edward looked far from convinced and who could blame him. She didn't exactly sell that lie. "Sure"

"What you don't believe me? Trust me, I have no interest in panting after your son."

"Honey, I think for better or worse you are your mother's daughter. You talk a tough game, but inside you're just as human as everyone else."

"Well then you better hope for your sake Edward you're wrong," she remarked, rising up from the table.

"Oh, why's that?"

"Because if there's one universal truth about Merteuil women it's that she always gets what she wants."

"And what is it you want Kathryn?"

Looking back at her stepfather she didn't reply. She merely smiled.