Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

38

CALLUM

“I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” Troy mutters dryly as he

forces his way past me into my apartment.

My muscles lock up as his shoulder knocks into mine. “Yeah, well I knew you wouldn’t stop calling until I picked up,” I

grumble.

I glare after my stepfather as he strides right into the living room like he owns the damn place, and all the effort I put into calming myself prior to this interaction is immediately wasted at the sight of him in my space. My jaw ticks in agitation, fingers twitching at my sides. I’m not fond of anybody intruding on my space, Nessa being the only exception.

That’s who I’m really doing this for. My

girl is an idealist; she can’t abide not seeing wrongs righted, so if there’s one to uncover here, I’ll try, for her. I finally picked up one of Troy’s calls this

morning and told him he could come over for a chat, though I still have doubts about Chase’s plan actually working. It’s

clever, but he doesn’t know Troy like I do. It’d take a sledgehammer for this man to

crack.

“Your mother’s hurt that you haven’t stopped by since you returned,” Fuckface comments as he sinks down onto my

sofa, throwing an arm over the back and settling in.

“I doubt that,” I snort.

He gives me a once-over, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile. “You’re right. She hasn’t even asked about you.” 7

He’s clearly wasting no time in trying to get under my skin. He should know by

now that I’m not phased by my mother’s indifference, though. I just shrug, striding into the room and taking a seat in the recliner on the opposite side, maintaining a detached, aloof exterior even though I feel bile crawling up my

throat.

Realizing his first barb didn’t land, Troy switches tactics. “Pity about that girlfriend of yours,” he murmurs as he picks a piece of lint off the sofa, flicking it

away.

My pulse picks up speed. Damnit. “What about her?” I grit out.

That patronizing grin of his that I fucking hate makes a swift appearance, my stepdad delighting in managing to strike a nerve. “Spencer said he’s seen her out with Miles,” he says, attempting to twist the knife. When I don’t immediately react, he presses on. “It must hurt, seeing her move on so quickly. And with one of

your so-called friends, no less.” Troy sucks in a hissed breath through his teeth, feigning a wince of sympathy. “You did the right thing, though, breaking that

off. Glad to see you took my advice to

heart.”

“We’re back together, actually,” I mutter before I can stop myself. I wasn’t

planning on revealing that little tidbit of information to this asshole, but seeing him sitting on my couch looking so smug, it just slips out. This is what he does; burrows himself under my skin until my knee-jerk reactions overpower rationality.

Troy’s brows shoot up, his impenetrable mask slipping momentarily. Then he fucking chuckles, like my life is all some big joke to him. “Interesting,” he tuts. ” Surprised you’d want her back after

another man had her.”

“You wanted Mom.” 13

I see the split-second reaction, the curl of his lip, the flash of anger in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, he smooths it over, schooling his expression. “Well, I certainly hope she isn’t pregnant,” he muses. Pausing, his eyes narrow, that familiar look of hatred swirling behind them as he fixes me with a venomous gaze. “I’d hate for you to have to see what it’s like to live with another man’s

mistake.” 7

stings, but I don’t let him see it. He’s never

a kid, I wanted his love- craved it, even. Now, I don’t

do you want from me, Troy?” I sigh, leaning back in the

my fingertips against

“You want me to apologize for being born?”

the last time we spoke,

he’s cutting right

in a good word for Spence, just like you asked me to. Problem is, the position you were after for him has already been filled.”

his face again. ” What? By

the grin that pulls at my lips.

can’t hide the indignation that permeates his features. His posture stiffens as his eyes narrow in rage, steam practically coming out of his ears.

never allows his feathers to be ruffled. It’s so damn satisfying to see him being the one to squirm for once, knowing that

You can’t

not?” I scoff.

steady breath, his composure slowly returning. “Because our alpha doesn’t know what you did. I’d hate to be the one to have to tell him…”

makes you think

interrupt, frustration

my tone.

miss it, nor the tight set of my

Troy relaxes back into the

his lips.

asked you

he says matter-of- factly. “Friend or not, no alpha

risk by granting rank

loose cannon.”

suppress my instinctual reaction.

plan has

say calmly, just as we rehearsed. “He

isn’t afraid to

to be done.

killer instinct.”

composed mask slipping again. “You almost pissed yourself that night,” he chuckles. “Cried

wanted you to see,

see.” The lie tastes bitter on my lips, but I press on, sticking to the script. “And it worked, it got me out of being punished. But I knew what I was doing when I lured

a maniacal laugh. “How you’d planned?!” he barks. ” Oh, that’s

hairs on the back of my neck prickling. Somehow, I keep it together, though. Somehow, I press on, without missing a beat. “You were there, you saw her,” I say with an arrogant wave of my hand. “She

paid to

Bingo.

spine goes ramrod

was right- it was a setup.

all along.

I never see that?

time, I never thought to examine why Troy was there that night, waiting in the wings. My mind races, and I open my

did this, Chase let me in on

mentioned to him; the reason behind

than one play to obtain pack rank for himself in the

son, and given how

on

were the case, it could’ve been his

it makes sense. Too much fucking sense to be a

huh?” Fuckface chuckles dryly, shaking his head.

a second, I think he’s caught onto what

you own what happened that night, it somehow makes you special? That you can use it to your advantage?” His eyes

a fucking embarrassment. You’ve always been weak, crying when I sent

dead, and she thought it was hilarious, a prank between

son.”

Wait, what?

died,” I stammer, trying to conceal the tremble in my hands.