Sterling
"Sorry you've been dragged along for this." I apologized to Killian as I focused on the road.
"It's not a problem." He reassured me. "It's not like it's ruining any plans of mine or anything."
My parents had left town to have some one on one time. Scarlett was staying at the mansion with Rose but I was still given the task to check in on her. Normally I would've checked in on her earlier but I had gotten side tracked. I had to take care of some things for the company though and Killian had tagged along.
I was on my way back home and since my father's mansion was on the way I figured it would make it easy to check in on her now. Especially since my father was pushing to have some sort of update. It's not that he didn't trust Scarlett. He was just aware of how cunning she could be and liked having another set of eyes around.
I pulled into the driveway and turned off the Lamborghini. Kilian and I both exited the car and proceeded to head to the front door. I didn't bother to ring the bell. Part of the whole thing was to slightly have the element of surprise on her. That way I could see what she was truly up to.
The front door opened and Killian stepped inside with me. I shut the door behind us and made my way into the living room. Rose, my father's live-in helper, must've heard the sound of my footsteps as she hurried out from the kitchen.
"Did you ring the bell? I must've not heard it. I'm so sorry." She apologized.
"No, I just let myself in." I responded. "Where's Scarlett at?"
"She's upstairs." Rose informed me. "She stated that she was getting ready to go out with some friends of hers."
"Is that so?" I arched my brow. This was news to me. "Scarlett!" I called out for her.
I was silent for a moment. I could hear her bedroom door open from upstairs and then the sound of her heels clicking. I waited patiently for her to come down the stairs. My jaw practically fell to the floor as she came into my sight.
She was wearing a silver sequin dress that was too short and had a plunging v neck. We'll just say it didn't leave much to the imagination. The big brother instinct within me kicked in. If she thought she was leaving the house like this she was dead wrong.
"What the fuck are you wearing?" I tried to remain calm as I asked her.
"Just a dress." She acted as if it were no big deal.
Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with Scarlett's style usually. This dress however was something a fifteen year old girl should not be wearing. My father wouldn't even let her leave the house like this.
"I can see that. What the hell is it doing on you?" I questioned further.
"Relax." She rolled her eyes. "I'm just going to go out with some friends. It's Christmas break so it's not like there's any school or anything."
"The hell you are!" My voice was stern. "You are not leaving the house in that."
"Seriously Sterling?" She placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not five and you're not dad. This is what I want to go out in so I'm going out in it."
"No you're not." I wasn't about to budge on this.
"Why not?" She scoffed.
"Because if I let you leave the house dad will kill us both." It wasn't a lie. He had cameras around the place. It wouldn't be hard for him to check in and then interrogate me on the matter.
"Come on, it's not that bad." She directed her attention over to Killian. "Please talk some sense into my brother."
Killian looked over the outfit before giving her the same disapproving look I had on my face. "Listen little Tipton, I'm going to have to go with him on this one. If my sister left the house in that I'd probably lock her in her room til she turned forty."
Scarlett gave an annoyed huff as it seemed that she had expected a different answer from him. That made it all seem to click for me. She didn't exactly hide the little crush she has on him. She must've found out he would be with me and this was all to try to get his attention. However her plan clearly didn't go the way she wanted it to.
"Go upstairs and change." I ordered in a firm tone.
"No." She folded her arms over her chest.
"Scarlett Constance Tipton, get your ass upstairs and change or I'll carry you up there myself." I threatened.
She glared at me as she thought about her next move. Her eyes moved from me to Killian and then back to me. "Fine." She finally caved.
She turned around and headed back upstairs. I knew she was mad but that wasn't my problem. She's my little sister and it's my job to take care of her. No matter how old she got, protecting her was always going to be a priority. Even if that meant pissing her off.
She came back downstairs about ten minutes later. This time in a pair of jeans and a pink shirt. She still wasn't off the hook though. She may have changed her clothes but she never said what exactly she intended to do with her friends that involved her wearing something like that dress.
"What exactly are you and your friends doing?" I wanted the details.
Another annoyed sigh left her lips. "There's a party that someone's hosting. We figured we would all go. No big deal."
"I don't think so." My father had made it clear when I was her age, no parties. A lot of bad things happened at high school parties. "Just because dad's not here doesn't mean his rules have gone away."
"Sterling." She whined. "Don't be such a damn prude and stop acting like you actually care what I'm doing!"
"I'm not acting." I responded.
"Oh my bad." Her voice seemed to go as cold as ice. "Now that Elise is gone and not making herself your only priority you have the time to care now."
I could feel the frustration build inside of me. Scarlett probably hated Elise the most out of all of my family. Which is why she seemed to like throwing little digs in here and there. I, on the other hand, was getting sick of it.
I turned to Rose. "She is not to step foot out of this house. If she even tries, call me."
"Sterling!" Scarlett shouted in protest.
I looked her right in the eyes. "End of discussion. If you need anything, call me." I then turned around and headed out of the mansion.