AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ve got some important news,” Creed announced through his grin.
It was the money…and dad. He was getting out of prison,he was coming home.My mind raced, thinking about the kind of new life we’d have. I didn’t care if it involved the feds or court cases. I just wanted him home and with us.
Nick pulled out a chair and sat on my left, his confused stare taking in the display. The table was beautiful, silver plates gleamed, shining against the long black table cloth that skimmed my lap. The sight only heightened my excitement more. I could barely see mom in the dim candlelight as she leaned over, wobbling, and struck a match to light the third candle in the middle of the table.
Caleb sat at the end of the table and scowled at them as though this was strange to him. “Want to tell us what’s going on?”
My chest tightened with excitement, my breath barely moving as Creed glanced around the table. He was looking for Tobias, hoping that he’d take part in the celebration. I licked my lips, the words on the end of my tongue. I wanted to tell him that it didn’t matter about Tobias. We didn’t really need him. I was excited for all of us.
Dad’s getting released.
That’s all I thought about, all that consumed me. I barely saw the movement, not until it was too late, as Tobias dragged the chair out on my right and sank down beside me. I glanced his way, my pulse hammering, but he didn’t look at me, just glared at his father with that same moody look.
I’d seen him leave before, seen him from the window in Nick’s room. The fries sat heavy in my stomach, oily and hard against the cold chocolate shake I’d downed.
Poor Nick.
I glanced his way as he shot me a careful smile, then glanced back to his dad as Creed cleared his throat, standing next to my mom. Nick had been nice to me, taking me to school, getting me food. My cheeks burned at the memory of what I’d done in his car, but I quickly shoved it to the side. I was almost sad not to talk to him again.
“So, we’ve had a pretty major development today,” Creed started.
Mom’s eyes twinkled, riveting me to the spot.
“We wanted you all here to be the first to know.” Creed glanced at mom, then back to us again. “Elle and I…”
“We’re getting married,” mom smiled, her gaze fixed on me.
My stomach lurched. The booming in my ears muffled their words.
“What the fuck did you say?” Caleb growled.
But Creed just smiled. “I know it must seem like a bit of a shock.” He lifted his glass and drained the contents.
“You can’t.” My words were hollow as I glanced at mom. “You’re already married.”
The intoxicated sparkle in her eye grew bolder. “No, not anymore. Your father signed the divorce papers today.” She swallowed hard. “We’re still working on getting him out, Ry, but we wanted a stable home for you…and your new brothers.”
My new brothers?
No…no…no…no…I closed my eyes, trying to understand.
“You’re marrying her?” Nick snarled, glaring at mom. “Barely two months after mom died?! Her body is barely cold !”
“Still think he’s a good guy, brother?” Tobias murmured.
I clenched my eyes shut tighter. This wasn’t happening…this wasn’t happening.The tablecloth brushed my lap before a hand landed on my thigh.
For a second, I didn’t understand what was happening. My mind was frantic and dull all at the same time, like a muffled scream consuming me, as that hand gripped tighter and pulled…
I yanked my eyes open, that scream in my head growing clearer. Tobias stared across the table to where Creed and mom stood, the glint of broken glass in his eyes. “Married…”
Panic roared as he shoved my dress high and pressed his fingers against my sex.
What the fuck…stop!I flinched with the contact and jerked my gaze to mom.
“We want you guys to be happy,” Mom’s words turned throaty as that intoxicated gleam shimmered with tears. “We realize this is sudden…”
His fingers slid against me, driving deep. That trapped scream in my head had nowhere to go…howling and shrieking in the void.Stop this…stop it now!
