Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

23

VANESSA

** Four Months Later **

“Let’s go, Ness!” Vienna calls out, her voice echoing down the hallway of the guest wing of the packhouse.

“Just a minute!” I yell back. I’ve been searching for my little gold clutch for the past ten minutes in vain; it’s like it

somehow grew legs and walked away. I’m almost certain that I packed it when I moved into the Norbury packhouse a few months ago at Vienna’s invitation, but for some reason, it’s not where it should be among my other purses in the closet.

I blow out a frustrated breath, spinning around and strutting over to the dresser to pull open the top drawer. I rummage through the random assortment of things I’ve shoved in there in search of the clutch, hoping I might’ve tossed it in here after the bar one night or something. As I push

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through the mess of hair accessories and odds and ends, a piece of paper falls out, fluttering to the floor and landing at my feet. I bend to pick it up with an annoyed groan, straightening with the paper clutched in my hands and freezing when I realize what it is.

My heart squeezes painfully in my chest when I read the words scrawled on the page; four little words that sent my world crumbling down when I woke up alone in that cabin several months ago.

I’m setting you free. -C

I stare at the paper, my eyes mapping the shape of the letters scrawled out in Callum’s handwriting. I looked at it so many times in that first month that I’ve memorized every loop and curve of the words, and looking at it now, that same feeling of devastation and despair grips in my chest.

“What’s the holdup?” Vienna asks from the doorway, and I startle, dropping the paper into the open drawer and slamming it shut. I whip around to face her, blinking.

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“I, uh… I can’t find my gold clutch,” I breathe, shaking my head to banish the intrusive thoughts associated with that damn note.

(C

Vee’s lips stretch into a mischievous grin. You mean this clutch?” she asks sweetly, holding it up and wiggling it back and forth.

“You little thief!” I laugh, crossing the room to her and lunging forward to snatch it from her grasp.

She pulls it back before I can grab ahold of it, tucking it under her arm. “C’mon, it totally goes with my outfit,” she whines. “Can’t you use a different one?”

I roll my eyes, giving in easily. Rather than arguing with the most stubborn girl on the planet, I head back over to my closet and fish out my black wristlet instead, returning to the dresser to stuff my phone and cash inside it. “You could’ve saved me like ten minutes if you’d just asked to borrow it,” I chastise, smoothing my hair back as I spin around to face her and slip my hand through

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23

the loop of the wristlet.

“You were in the shower,” Vee shrugs innocently. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“I don’t,” I concede. Crossing the room to my friend, I slide an arm around her narrow shoulders, pulling her with me out the door. “C’mon, let’s go. I’m sure the boys are getting antsy.”

Vienna’s heels click against the hardwood floor as we make our way down the hallway toward the main part of the packhouse. Even though I’m not part of the Norbury pack, I’ve become quite comfortable here after moving in a few months ago. I completely fell apart after Cal took off, and although I love my family, having them breathing down my neck trying to ‘fix’ me was the last thing I needed. Vienna offered me a welcome change of scenery and helped to slowly put me back together. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be the same girl I was before he left, but I’m seeing more and more of her resurface every day. There’s something to that whole ‘time heals all wounds’ adage.

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Mostly, I just try to avoid thinking about

him. I suppose it was a kindness for him to leave the territory to go off on a mission

with the squad, because without him here, I can shove all thoughts of Callum out of my mind and try to move forward. I’m not sure how well I’m doing, but at least I’m trying.

“About time,” Chase huffs as Vienna and I stride from the hallway into the living room.

“Shut it,” Vee warns, pointing a finger in his direction and narrowing her eyes.

A goofy grin spreads across Chase’s face and he pushes up from the couch, crossing the room in a few long strides and scooping Vienna up, tossing her over his shoulder. ” Watch it, little devil,” he growls, delivering a sharp swat to her ass.

to put her down. He finally

can land a playful punch on his chest in retribution.

slinging his around my

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and flashing me a boyish grin.

breathe, unconsciously tensing up at the contact. I slip out from underneath his arm,

took off already,” Chase provides. “Said they’d meet

Then he leans in, his voice a breathy whisper

appreciative smile. “You always say

his gaze roaming my

for a more casual look tonight since the Stillwater Tap is throwing a party in the parking lot with a live band. Both

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hers paired with a slinky

tee. The last time I wore this top was when Callum and I took that trip to Breckenridge- the one that ended in disaster, then our first time together. I suppose it was all a disaster looking back at it now. I haven’t been able to bring myself to wear this shirt since then, but I consciously made the decision to put it on tonight as a way of reclaiming those memories, stamping over them with new ones that don’t hurt.

move the colossus of a man. He chuckles at her

on a bright smile and nodding in agreement, taking Miles’ hand when he offers it. The four of us

to music and

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anticipating the night ahead. This same band played at the Stillwater Tap a few weeks ago- they’re a group of twenty- somethings from Norbury who play covers by request and have a knack for getting the crowd riled up. I’m glad I opted for the comfort of sneakers because I’m sure I’ll be dancing the night away under the stars.

singing along. Even though the sun has gone down, the air is still heavy, sticky with the oppressive summer heat. I hope I remembered to slip a hair tie into my wristlet, because I doubt I’ll make it long before I have to get my hair off my neck, especially if I’m going

respectful nod in recognition

being treated like I’m

entourage or something.

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all the way there, eagerly anticipating the night ahead. This same band played at the Stillwater Tap a few weeks ago- they’re a group of twenty- somethings from Norbury who play covers by request and have a knack for getting the crowd riled up. I’m glad I opted for

we arrive, the band playing a lively cover of a Journey song that has the audience singing along. Even though the sun has gone down, the air is still heavy, sticky with the oppressive summer heat. I hope I remembered to slip a hair tie into my wristlet, because I doubt I’ll make it

us as we walk into the fray, several of them offering Chase a respectful nod in recognition

group and being treated like I’m

of a royal entourage or

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commands that same kind of

and I know she’s still uncomfortable with the attention her new status

on a laugh, tossing an arm around her shoulders and shoving an unopened can of beer into her hand. “Easy, little savage, I’m just messin’. Here, I got

a devious glint in his eye and a smirk on his lips. I can’t tell if he’s joking around or if there’s a hint of a real threat in his tone. I never can, with Chase- he’s kind

back of a hand in admonishment. She’s got all

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and eager to wait on her hand and foot like she’s their

right in with their group like she’s always been a part of it.

how that could’ve been

approaches us with an armful of beers and starts passing them out to the rest of us. I crack the tab on the can and take an eager

he tosses her a wink, grinning as he turns back to our group. “See? Wonder how many free beers I can get tonight.” He waggles his eyebrows, taking

her to come home with you,” Miles challenges, nudging Levi’s

elbow.

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like an addiction for Miles- he’s always making wagers with the other guys over trivial crap. I want to point out that it’s childish and

it in favor of maintaining the lighthearted energy of the

beer and wiping his mouth with a forearm. ” Easy.

your bar tab the next time we go out,”

grins. “You’re on.” He taps his can with Miles’, then downs the rest of his beer, turning on a heel and making his

beer tub for another.

to himself and slides

a

of my back.

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not to

touch that isn’t his just feels wrong. Yet another thing I’ve been trying to

always hanging around the packhouse, always offering a sweet compliment or funny joke to lighten my mood in those first couple months after Callum left. I came to appreciate his companionship, and after a while, he started actively pursuing me. He asked me out no fewer than ten times before I finally gave in, and even though I’ve told him that I’m

him, he never pushes me