Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

20

CALLUM

My throat tightens as I step over the threshold into the house. I can’t stand this place, the people that live here, or the memories it harbors. I hate that I’m dragging Nessa into this mess, but I wasn’t about to fuck up everything I’ve built with her by shutting her out. She’d assume that I didn’t find her important enough to introduce to my family, while the truth is the complete opposite; she’s too important. I’d rather shield her from these people because she’s sweet and pure and good, and they’re fucking poison.

“Perfect timing, Abby’s just getting dinner on the table,” Troy drawls as we shrug out of our jackets. I take Nessa’s from her and hang them both on the coat tree beside the door, keeping close to her because my protective instincts are on overdrive in my stepdad’s presence.

“Thanks for having us,” Nessa says politely, slipping her hand into mine again.

Fuckface’s eyes dart down to our intertwined hands, then snap back up to meet mine. “So glad you both could make it.” He hits us with another grin and turns on a heel, waving for us to follow.

My feet are rooted to the spot I’m in.

Nessa steps in front of me, setting her hand on my chest and pressing her palm tightly over my racing heart. “You ready?”

Something about her touch instantly calms me. I swallow past the lump in my throat, nodding and forcing a weak smile. “Yeah, babe,” I reply, reaching up to sweep her hair behind her ear. “Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?”

Her responding smile lights up her whole face. “Not yet,” she winks, a soft pink blush staining her cheeks. “But thanks.”

I take her hand this time, leading her into the dining room where Troy’s taking his seat at the head of the table and my mom’s setting the last of the plates down.

“Cal!” she exclaims, putting on a show of being thrilled to see me. She rushes over, pulling me in for a hug. “It’s been too long,” she breathes, ruffling my hair in mock-affection. Then she steps back, beaming at Nessa. “And who’s this?”

“Vanessa Diaz,” she provides, smiling sweetly and extending a hand. “My friends call me Nessa.”

Mom pulls her in for a hug instead, really playing up this whole happy family vibe. So nice to meet you, Nessa,” she coos, withdrawing from the embrace and taking a step back to examine her. ” You’re so pretty, what on earth are you doing with my son?”

Her inflection is sarcastic, but I can discern the bite of sincerity behind her words. I know the woman too well. We haven’t even sat down at the table yet, and she’s already fired the first shot. 1

I expected nothing less. 1

The silver lining of bringing Nessa along tonight is that my family is forced to be on their best behavior. Their thinly veiled insults toward me are played off as good- natured teasing, and we shockingly make it through the entire meal without any major blowups. Troy still hasn’t gotten to the point of what this dinner’s all about, though, so I’m not holding my breath that we’ll make it out of here unscathed.

I’m sure the worst is yet to come.

I’ve been on edge all night, but having Nessa here has helped. She’s the calm to my storm, and just having her beside me has made a world of difference. She has also completely charmed my family. Spence can’t take his eyes off her because she’s hot as fuck and he’s a teenage boy, and my parents have been hanging on her every word, infinitely more interested in her life than they’ve ever been in mine and undoubtedly trying to figure out what a girl like her sees in a guy like me.

That’s still a mystery to me, too.

“I spoke with Ray Swenson the other day,” Troy comments, wiping his mouth on his napkin and setting it on the table beside his empty plate. “He mentioned that he’s planning on retiring next year.”

“Really?” Mom asks, poorly feigning her surprise. “Did he say who’d he’d be recommending as his replacement?”

know as well as I do that if he’s

at his son with pride. “He’ll be recommending

shaking my head

funny?” Troy deadpans.

the fact that you think a high school kid with zero experience is going to be installed as the pack’s lead enforcer,” I reply dryly, rolling my eyes.

that I’m getting under his skin. “Maybe not right

back in my chair, narrowing my eyes on my stepdad. “Is this why you called me here? To ask me to put a

squeezing gently. Her touch calms me marginally.

picture of composure, calmly folding his hands in front of

be an honor to our whole family to have Spencer pull rank in the pack. What’s

narrow my eyes on him. “Good for

“I won’t have you speak to your stepfather that

to just let him ambush me with this shit and

down on her plate. She levels me with a scathing look, then turns to my girl, plastering on a fake smile. “Nessa, dear, why don’t you join me in the kitchen? We’ll leave the boys to hash this out while we get

I can protest, ever so polite and agreeable, though there’s a hint of

myself to keep it together in her absence. I draw a deep breath, fighting to retain my composure as she stands, collecting our dinner plates and shooting me an apologetic glance over her shoulder before following my mother out

and work on your homework,” Troy murmurs, his icy tone conveying

golden

to his father’s demand, pushing up from his chair

just me and Troy.

and his

an enforcer,” Fuckface says, his voice eerily calm.

in disbelief. “Why the fuck

up into a smug grin and he steeples in his

you don’t want Chase finding out

told him,” I mutter, clenching my fists beneath the table. This is his go-to threat, and I hate that he has something he can

at me with a mocking smirk. “I think you and I both

might fight him on this more if Nessa wasn’t in the next room, but I don’t want her

leans back in his chair.

pushing out my chair and shooting to my feet. I have to

lips. I knew it was a mistake bringing her here; that he’d try to use her

does,” I reply through clenched teeth,

a favor and let

against my ribs, my blood turning to ice in my veins. “I’d never hurt

“But you and I both know that you struggle to control that temper of yours. It would be a shame for a nice girl like that to get caught in your crosshairs if you slip up.

her to meet the

seeping

us and setting a hand firmly on my shoulder. He stares down into my eyes, his own shining with cruelty. “She deserves

their desired effect, slicing open old wounds within me and sending my mind into a tailspin. Deep down, I know he’s trying to goad