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?”

my own napkin down, my gaze sliding between Mom and Troy warily. This is definitely rehearsed. Ray Swenson is the pack’s lead enforcer, and they know as well as I do that if he’s stepping down, his replacement

drawls, beaming at his son with pride.

my head and chuckling lowly.

funny?” Troy

with zero experience is going to be installed as the pack’s lead enforcer,” I reply dryly, rolling my eyes.

Troy’s jaw tightens, the only outward sign that I’m getting under his skin. “Maybe not right away, but

shove back in my chair, narrowing my eyes on my stepdad. “Is this why you

squeezing gently. Her

remains the picture of composure, calmly folding his hands

family to have Spencer pull rank in the pack. What’s good for him is good for all of us.”

him. “Good for

won’t have you speak to your stepfather that way.”

turn my glare on her. “So I’m supposed to just let him ambush me

table, throwing her napkin 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

so polite and agreeable, though there’s

I trust 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 of the room. It’s like she takes all the light with

don’t you head upstairs and work on your homework,” Troy murmurs, his icy tone conveying that

good little golden

to his father’s demand, pushing up from his

just me and

his creator.

Spencer as an

shake my head in disbelief. “Why the

a smug grin and he steeples in his fingers in front of him.

want Chase finding out what you did.”

“For all I know, his dad already told him,” I mutter, clenching my fists beneath the table. This is his

and I both know that isn’t true, or he wouldn’t be keeping you so close.” 2

my palm. He’s got me backed into a corner here and he knows it. I might fight him on this more if Nessa wasn’t in the next room, but I don’t want her walking into this conversation. My jaw twitches

in satisfaction and he leans back in his chair. “Glad we

out my chair and shooting to my feet. I have to get out of here

of her name on his lips. I knew it was

teeth, unsure of what his

a step closer and dropping his voice low. “You should do her a favor and let her go before it’s too late. Before she winds

heart slams against my ribs, my blood turning to ice

purpose,” Troy tuts. “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

her to meet the same

adamantly, my internal panic seeping to the surface. “I won’t,”

a sigh, closing the distance between us and setting a hand firmly on my shoulder. He stares down into my eyes, his own shining with cruelty. “She deserves better. You know

slicing open old wounds within me