Dominic: Slater Brothers, #1

CHAPTER ONE

I was late for school, and it was Branna’s fault.

Branna was my older sister and became my legal guardian nine years ago when our parents died in a car accident. She was twenty-eight years old while I was on the cusp of eighteen. She was my guardian, but the woman was all sibling when it came to pissing me off. She hogged the bathroom for twenty-five minutes this morning and it set in motion how my day was going to pan out.

She was the sole reason I was fifteen minutes late for school and why I looked like shite. Standing in the senior girl’s bathroom in front of a mirror, I frowned at my appearance. My eyes of jade looked tired, the bags under them looked almost purple. Saying I was a bit of a mess would have been kind.

That morning, I didn’t have time to do much more than French plait my waist length, chocolate brown hair, and brush my teeth. My chubby cheeks were red from windburn and my usually soft rosy lips were a little chapped and puffy. If death were a person, then that person would resemble me.

My eyes rolled over my form.

I was so fair that I could have given Casper a run for his money. Being Irish, my skin repelled any sort of tanning. I had skin as white as alabaster with a splash of dark freckles that dotted different sections of my face.

I fixed my school skirt, pulled up my stockings, and adjusted my jumper. I ran my hand over my uniform to smooth it out. I tilted my head to the side as I studied myself. Overall, I liked how I looked, but I had my insecurities. I had wide hips, large thighs and a small waist; I didn’t have a big bust, but I had something else that was huge. I turned to the side and rolled my eyes; if I could change one thing about my body it would be my arse. It was big, and more than a few times I had gotten crude comments about it. I didn’t like that because it messed with my need to be ignored.

I liked being practically invisible.

I left the bathroom and proceeded down the corridor to registration class. It was a tedious class we had every morning; our tutor—the person we went to if we got in trouble or needed the bathroom pass—took attendance and then let us do whatever we wanted for forty minutes until the class was over.

I didn’t have any friends so I kept to myself. It wasn’t for lack of trying on my classmates’ part; it was all down to me. Ever since my parents died, I had been closed off and guarded. I didn’t like the idea of getting attached to someone new knowing that they could be taken away from me. That was why I chose not to make friends with anyone in school, or anyone at all, it was just too risky.

Branna had told me, repeatedly, it was silly and that I couldn’t be closed off from people forever because it wasn’t healthy. I got that, I was aware that it was potentially damaging to isolate yourself from society, but I was content with my life the way it was.

When I entered my classroom, I looked directly at my tutor. Sorry I’m late, miss. I overslept.

Miss McKesson nodded like I knew she would. I was never late for class, and if I did make it a habit, I doubted she would give me late stamps in my school journal because she liked me. I was her quietest student and never gave her any trouble. I was a rare gem amongst students and I knew it.

As I moved across the room, I noticed that the girls was very talkative and giddy. It was when I walked neared my desk that I realised why. Two strange lads were seated at my desk; they were identical twins, that much was obvious. One had hair as white as snow while the other had a colour much like my own, dark chocolate brown. I didn’t linger on looking at them, because they seemed to be enjoying the suggestive stares of my fellow female classmates, so I kept my eyes downcast as I neared them.

I kept my tone flat. "That’s my desk."

The twin with white hair made a move to get up but his dark-haired brother, the one who was in my seat, placed a hand on his shoulder and halted his movements.

"Your desk? he quizzed. Does it have your name on it or something?"

His accent made him stick out like a sore thumb. It wasn’t Irish. My guess was American, but I didn’t ask. I looked at him and stared. He had grey eyes that looked slightly silver when the light hit them. I was surprised that noticed such a ridiculous detail. Wordlessly, I leaned over the table and pointed to the corner of the desk.

I had carved it on the desk in first year when I was bored.

Bro-what?

I rolled my eyes, not in this mood to deal with this.

Bronagh.

He repeated a it a couple of times under his breath.

Bro-nah? He pronounced correctly.

"Yeah, that’s how ye say me name and it is on my desk as ye can clearly see."

The white-haired twin snorted. She has you by the balls on that, bro. Let’s just move out of this lovely woman’s way and sit down in the back row next to the pretty ladies.

This girls watching our exchange giggled over that basic comment and it made my stomach twist, especially when the twins grinned. I had a bad feeling about these lads. I didn’t like pretty boys who were full of themselves; we already had one lad like that in the school, and he was an absolute dickhead. We didn’t need another one, let alone two more.

The white-haired twin winked at me when he stood up, I just stared in response. The dark-haired twin slowly stood up from my seat. He didn’t smile at me, he grinned. My hardened stare only caused his grin to curl up into a devilish smirk.

I warmed it up for you.

I couldn’t believe it when my heart thudded hard against my chest. He was very handsome, I would give him that much.

Be sure to thank your arse for me.

I moved past him and sat down in my seat, and pulled it into my desk. I put my bag onto the chair next to me and tugged it close. I heard the dark-haired twin chuckle as he moved to the back of the class.

What’s her problem?

Who? Bronagh? Nothin’, Alannah Ryan replied. She doesn’t get on well with others, she prefers to be by herself.

Alannah was a nice girl; she always smiled at me when she passed me by and unlike every other student in our year, she left me alone. She seemed to understand that I was content with being on my own, and I really liked that about her. She didn’t push herself on me.

She doesn’t get on with other people? Dark-haired twin grunted. Is there something wrong with her?

I was a quiet person, I always kept to myself and I never bothered anyone, but what everyone didn’t know about me was that I had a temper. A therapist I used to see said I couldn’t process the emotions caused by my parents’ death correctly and I reacted to a lot of situations with anger. It was a toxic trait, one I was aware of which was one of the main reasons I had no relationships with other people. I had no filter, I said exactly what I was thinking when I was thinking it in the heat of the moment which could cause problems. The only person it had ever gotten me into trouble with was Branna because everyone else left me alone, but this lad was a brand new addition to my life and instantly he made me uncomfortable.

I’m sure there are many things wrong with me accordin’ to you, but I assure ye, yank, I said aloud without turning around. Me hearin’ is perfectly fine.

I heard some chuckles but I paid them no mind.

"Yank? He repeated, an edge to his voice. Who the fuck d’you think you’re talkin’ to, bitch?"

I bristled, but didn’t respond.

Okay, less of that, Miss McKesson said, standing up. Bronagh, these lads are our new students, all the way from the United States of America.

When I realised my classmates were looking at me for some sort of reaction, I twirled my finger around in the air trying to be enthusiastic even though I couldn’t care less.

Go US of A.

Miss McKesson frowned at me slightly. The Slater boys are twins, obviously. It’s easy to tell them apart with them havin’ different hair colour. Nico has brown hair and Damien has white-blond hair.

Nico. I already hated him.

I’ll be sure to remember that, miss, I said. Thanks.

Miss McKesson proceeded to introduce me. And this lovely lady, lads, is Bronagh Murphy.

"It’s a pleasure, Miss Murphy."

His voice was deep, and had a natural rasp to it. It should have grated on my nerves, but it didn’t. It pissed me off that I liked the sound of it.

"I seriously doubt that, Mr Slater."

The class laughed. I didn’t care that they were probably laughing at me, I was long passed caring what they thought of me.

Okay, Miss McKesson clapped her hands together. Back to whatever it was that you were all doin’ before Bronagh came to class.

Barely a nano-second had passed by before questions fired left, right, and centre from the girls to the twins. Christ, there wasn’t an ounce of pride between any of them. They saw handsome faces and thought with their vaginas. Logic and reasoning went straight out of the window. I hoped it wasn’t going to be like this every day, because that shite would get old quickly.

Miss?

When Miss McKesson looked my way, I shook my iPod at her. She nodded, giving me silent permission to listen to it.

Shit, I heard Nico say as I unwound my earphones. You’re allowed to listen to iPods here?

Nah, just Bronagh. She gets her work done every day, so she is allowed to listen to it as long as the volume is low, Alannah’s voice replied to Nico.

He probably concluded from that response that I was a goody two shoes, but I wasn’t. I didn’t really have much else to do in school other than work, so having it done on time was never a problem for me.

I didn’t hear Nico’s response to Alannah because I placed the buds in my ears, turned my music on and instantly relaxed. I welcomed the pulsing beats and enjoyed the fact that the beautiful sound drowned everyone else out.

I took out my English copy and scanned over the essay I wrote the previous night for class later that day. I corrected any mistakes I spotted, and then re-read it again. When I was satisfied with it, I put it back in my bag and zipped it closed. I checked the time and saw that there was less than two minutes left in the period. I sat up straight and took out my earphones, switched off my iPod and pocketed it.

I stood up at the same time the bell rang. The next class I had to attend was Woodwork. I loved that class; I enjoyed making new things for projects. I always made jewellery boxes, makeup brush holders for Branna or cool shelves and bookcases. I got more creative with each one I made, and Branna loved them, so it made me happy.

When I got to class, I waved to Mr Kelly. He always left me alone and only came over to me when I needed help. He seemed to know how I worked, and I liked that about him.

Mornin’, Bronagh.

Mornin’, sir, I replied with a smile. Can I listen to me iPod? I’m just sandin’ down all the pieces I cut up on Friday then I’m puttin’ them together. I won’t be near any dangerous machines that music would distract me from. Promise.

He bobbed his head up and down. "No problem, kid. If ye need to cut or saw somethin’ just make sure you take the earphones out, okay?"

I saluted him which made him chuckle happily.

I put my bag under my desk then walked into the storage room at the back of the class; I grabbed an apron, put it on then popped my earphones back into my ears and switched on my music. I moved back out into the classroom and noticed out of the corner of my eye that the rest of my classmates were coming in. I was the only girl in the class; all the other girls chose metalwork instead, which was fine by me. I didn’t have to listen to them chitchat about who was going out with who when I didn’t have my earphones in.

While the lads put their stuff under their desks, I moved to the right of the room and went into the supply room. I got some new sandpaper, and then grabbed a handheld sander from the holder on the wall. I was minding my own business when I headed back to my desk, only to come to a halt.

The good mood that was forming vanished the second I saw him. I pulled my earphones out of my ears and couldn’t help but glare at him.

"Get out of me seat."

Nico looked up and tilted his head. "Is your name on this desk as well?"

He obviously thought he was funny, but he wasn’t. I didn’t find him amusing in the slightest. Our first interaction wasn’t the most polite, but I now knew that he was purposely trying to irritate me and I instantly didn’t like him because of it.

Just move.

He shook his head. Angrily, I moved towards him, but I was suddenly blocked by Mr Kelly’s body.

Bronagh, Mr Kelly said calmly. Put the sander down, kid.

I blinked, dumbly. I looked at my hand and saw that I had the sander gripped and raised like a weapon. Embarrassed, I quickly dropped my arm.

I wasn’t goin’ to hit him with it, sir.

Why’re ye holdin’ it like a weapon then?

The sir’s question made my cheeks burn.

He is in me seat, sir, I argued. Tell him to move.

Mr Kelly turned around. That’s Bronagh’s worktop—are ye new here, son?

Son? I spluttered. Don’t call him that, he is a gobshite—

Bronagh! the sir cut me off in a low warning tone.

Others laughed at the argument while I fumed in silence.

Yes, sir, I’m new. I just started today.

The sir turned to look at me, and the man looked positively horrified. "Ye were gonna attack a new student?".

Would I be in less trouble if I attacked an old one?

I don’t like him, I admitted. He’s been nothin’ but a bother to me since reg, sir.

Mr Kelly sighed deeply. That doesn’t mean ye can attack him, Bronagh.

I glowered over that fact. I know.

The sir shook his head and turned to Nico.

What’s your name, son?

Nico, Fuckface replied.

I inwardly smiled; I preferred calling him fuckface.

What’s that short for? the sir asked, curiously.

Dominic, but everyone just calls me Nico. Dominic replied. I prefer it that way.

Everyone might call him Nico, and he might prefer it that way, but I didn’t. If I ever had to address him, it would be as Dominic or fuckface. Most likely the latter.

Well, it’s very nice to meet ye, Nico, but this here is usually just Bronagh’s worktop. But you can have the other end of the table since she has this one to herself.

No! I shouted at the same time Dominic said, Thanks, sir.

Mr Kelly frowned at me.

Sir, that’s not fair, I protested. "I’ve never had to share me worktop with anyone. I like havin’ it to meself, ye know that."

I know, kid, Mr Kelly said, but all the other worktops are filled since I’m repairin’ the two near the doorway.

This is a load of bollocks, sir.

The sir grinned—he was great like that, he never cared about students cursing—and patted me on the shoulder. Put your earphones in and ye’ll be grand, Bronagh.

I grumbled to myself as the sir moved across the room.

Are you finished with your little temper tantrum, sweetie?

I glared at Dominic as I placed my sander on my worktop then pressed my hands down next to it and leaned forward. My voice was ice-cold as I said, "Listen to me, ye annoyin’ little prick. I don’t like you and want ye to stay the fuck away from me, otherwise I’ll imbed this sander into your stupid lookin’ skull. Are we clear on that, Dominic?"

Dominic’s lips twitched. He looked me up and down like he was sizing me up. Crystal clear, sweetheart, he replied when his grey eyes landed on mine.

Good, I nodded. "Now bloody move."

I couldn’t believe this was my second interaction with the lad and he had managed to anger me so much. The only other person who could get to me so easily without actually doing much was Jason Bane. He was the main pretty boy in the school, he had always been a dickhead to me. He was currently on holiday somewhere in Australia and had been for the entire summer. He wouldn’t get back until late September, the end of the month. It had been the best summer and start of the school year without him around to bully me. He was an evil, good-looking bastard, and the fact that this Dominic prick might be an American version of Jason scared the hell out of me.

I didn’t want both of them tormenting me when all I was trying to do was survive.

I thought this over while I waited for Dominic to move to the other end of the worktop that we now apparently shared. I put my earphones in and turned my music back on when he was away from me. I could feel his eyes on me, but little did he know that I was very good at ignoring people. After the first five minutes of not getting a response from me, he got bored, I knew this because he got up and went over to Mr Kelly.

I glanced up as the sir was pointing out some different materials to Dominic, and I knew he was about to get started on his first project. This pleased me; hopefully he would keep busy and stay away from me. It was the end of second period when I finished sanding down all of the pieces for Branna’s new makeup box. It was going to be big with lots of spacious compartments.

I took my base pieces and moved over to the glue gun station. I aligned my pieces how I wanted them to be, grabbed a glue gun then generously applied glue to the wood, carefully placing the pieces together.

I bent forward and pressed down hard on the wood, forcing any air bubbles out from between the wood’s open spaces and used my free hand to get a piece of card to swipe the now lukewarm excess glue away. I did this for about twenty seconds, and then got some used sandpaper from my worktop to go over some of the areas that I had missed.

While doing this I felt like I was being watched so when I glanced over my shoulder, I was startled when I found that some of the lads in the class were looking at me. Some looked amused while others were grinning at Dominic, who was watching me intently.

Immediately, I removed my earphones.

What’s so funny?

The lads who were looking at me turned back to their work without a word. Their silence spoke volumes, so I shifted my attention to Dominic.

What’d ye do, fuckface?

Fuckface? Dominic blinked at the insult. Are you shitting me?

"What’d ye do, Dominic? I almost growled. I know ye did somethin’ so don’t act stupid."

He shrugged. I just took a picture.

I felt a little sick. "A picture of what?"

I can’t say. He grinned. "I’ll be a real ass if I do."

I wanted to pick up the nearest object, and lob it at him, but I instead put my earphones back in and ignored him. I knew he took a picture of my arse; it was obvious with what he said and the way the lads in the class were laughing. I forced myself not to care as one thought rolled through my head.

Fuck Dominic Slater.

CHAPTER TWO

Get your arse up, Bronagh Murphy!

My covers were violently torn from my body at the same time my sister’s voice reached my ears. I jolted awake and groaned. I was exhausted. I just wanted to be left alone in peace so I could sleep.

"Branna, please. I snuggled into my pillow, keeping my eyes tightly closed. I’m sleepin’."

I felt a firm wallop on my behind, which caused me to jump upright to my feet so that I was standing on my bed. I glared at Branna, who stood at the end of my bed with her arms folded and her eyes narrowed at me.

She didn’t look amused in the slightest. I did something wrong.

What did I do? I asked. Why’re ye in here wakin’ me up and hittin’ me?

I heard ye earlier turnin’ off your alarm and goin’ back to bed. She frowned. "You didn’t bother goin’ to school today and that shite is not flyin’ with me. Ye’ve been a walkin’ hormone since ye came home from school on Monday. What is goin’ on with you?"

I didn’t want to talk about why I’d been off all week.

Nothin’, I mumbled. I just don’t feel good today.

I truly didn’t feel good, but the entire truth was that I didn’t want to go to school because I didn’t want to deal with another day of Dominic Slater. I needed a break from him. If Branna knew that he was bullying me, she would call the school and demand a meeting, which would embarrass me. Or she would find out where Dominic lived and murder him. Killing Dominic would land her arse in Mountjoy Prison and I would be left all on my own.

I could never let that happen. I could never be on my own.

"I’ll let it slide this once because you’re always in school but in the future, tell me if you’re sick, okay? I’ll make a doctor’s appointment for you."

I shook my head. I’m due me period, I think that’s what has me sore and cranky.

I was due my period, but what had me all wound up was an American dickhead named Dominic Slater. After that first meeting at school on Monday morning, he made it his personal mission to get as close to me as he could throughout the school week. I resorted to slapping him across the face on Wednesday when he grabbed my arse. He said there was a spider on it, and he was just wiping it off for me.

It was utter bollocks and he knew it. He fucking squeezed my arse cheek to the point of pain, and that’s why he had a grin on his face while pretending to be a do-gooder. I was grateful, so grateful that I left a pretty decent handprint on his cheek that was visible for the rest of the day, which had him grumbling and his brother grinning.

It turned out that Damien Slater was the polar opposite of Dominic; he was nice and respected my boundaries. I got paired with him for a science experiment and during that class he apologised for Dominic’s behaviour and kindly asked me not to follow-through on any plans I might have formed to murder him.

He was extremely flirtatious, but I paid him no mind and just focused on the project we had together. He seemed to get that I wasn’t interested in flirting or talking with him at all. He didn’t even try after the first few minutes of getting no response from me, which I appreciated greatly. If only his brother gave up as easily.

Branna’s loud snort pulled me from my thoughts and caused me to look at her.

What?

Nothin’, she mused. I’m just thinkin’ of you bein’ in labour with a baby. Ye wouldn’t be able to handle any aspect of childbirth if you can’t even handle period pains.

Spare me from any talk of givin’ birth. I know it’s all you can think about, but right now, me fanny is hurtin’ for a very different reason.

Branna laughed. I always have to think of birth. I’m studyin’ to be a midwife, after all. I’m in my fourth year, which means I get to be present in the delivery room now while women give birth so I can get a proper understandin’ of what I’m goin’ to be doin’ when I graduate at the end of the year.

I still can’t believe ye actually want to look at a ten pound ham comin’ out of an overly stretched fanny.

Nice description. Branna tittered. "And don’t call a baby a ham!"

My sister moved across the room, still chuckling as she opened my curtains, making me hiss at the sunlight that streamed into my room.

Get up and get dressed, vampire. She chirped. Since you aren’t in school ye can do the shoppin’ while I’m at the hospital workin’.

That was fair.

Are ye at the hospital all day?

When Branna wasn’t in college doing a million assignments, writing essay papers, or studying for crazy hard tests, she was at the maternity hospital volunteering. All medical students in her chosen field had to do work placement so many hours to get some live experience of childbirth. The good, and the heart breaking.

It’s not required that she get paid, because she has to volunteer for experience, but her hospital did pay her. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for us to live on even though we didn’t really need Branna’s wages. We still had lots of money left to us by our parents life insurance money, which would get us by until Branna became a midwife and had a steady income. Once I finished my final year in school and graduated, I’d get a summer job that would hopefully roll into a permanent position so that I didn’t have to leech off Branna for everything.

Yeah, I get to see babies come into the world today, isn’t that brilliant?

Childbirth was a beautiful miracle, I knew that, but it was also messy, and disgusting and no one could tell me otherwise.

Yeah, brilliant.

"I know you don’t like it very much, but just think, one day you will be givin’ birth, and I could be helpin’ ye deliver!"

I nearly choked on air.

"I will never have children, I declared. Why have kids only to worry about their health and safety for the rest of me life? That’s way too much stress for me to deal with, Bran."

Branna waddled her index finger at me. Someone is goin’ to change your way of thinkin’ one day, little sister. I won’t be the only person you love and care for. Someone will claw their way into that boxed off heart of yours and set up camp for the long haul, and there won’t be a thing you can do about it.

Don’t threaten me!

Branna gleefully laughed. Wishin’ you find love is a threat?

I nodded firmly. Yes.

"Baby, ye really need to get out more."

I decided to humour her.

Okay, I’ll make a start on findin’ love by goin’ shoppin’. Ye never know, I might find love in the poultry aisle.

She chuckled. Good start.

She left my room to get