Page 65 of Broken Bonds

I heard Ryan bounding down the stairs before I saw him. Ace stood up abruptly. “I’m going home. I don’t have time to deal with your crap, Celine.” He pointed a finger in my direction and walked toward the door, brushing past Ryan angrily.

Ryan followed him, slamming the front door on his way out, and neither of them came back. I glared at the door for a few more moments as if I could burn both of them with my angry gaze. After a good minute, I ripped my eyes away and picked up my phone from beside me, my eyes widening at all the messages I had from Amber.

Amber: How’s the sexy piece of ass known as Mr. Asshole?

Amber: Must be good because I haven’t heard from you in over a day.

Amber: Sex marathon? I’m jealous!

Amber: Girl, are you alive over there?

Amber: Did you die from all those orgasms?

Amber: Okay, I’m getting worried. Are you okay?

Amber: Answer me, or I’ll stalk you and show up at your house and interrupt the post-hurricane sex.

Amber: Don’t ask me how but I got your address. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

Shit! The last text was sent ten minutes ago. “Let me in! Celine is my friend! Celine! Celine!” the naughty redhead shouted through the front door. “Get your hands off me! Who the hell are you anyway? Celine!”

The front door burst open, and Amber, face flushed and red hair in a slight disarray, stormed into the house. My jaw dropped as she rushed in, her eyes darting to mine. Then, she rushed forward, pouncing on me, just barely avoiding my legs. “Holy shit—I thought you weredead!”

“Get off my sister!” Ryan picked Amber up, holding her off me as she kicked and hit him like a rabid animal.

“Put me down! Get your stinking hands off me!” Too stunned to say a word, I just watched… as did everyone else.

“Amber!” I finally snapped. Catching her attention, she stopped fighting Ryan to look at me. “He’s my brother. It’s okay.”

Her body instantly relaxed, red creeping up her pale neck onto her cheeks. “Oops, sorry.” Ryan put her down, and she turned to look at him and then back to me with wide eyes. “Did you saybrother?”

“Yes, she did, spitfire. Nice to meet you, I guess?” Ryan extended a hand warily, eyeing her with distrust. No doubt, he’d have a few bruises tomorrow.

Amber shook it eagerly. “Oh, it is nice to meet you.Verynice. Damn, you are good-looking. Shit, did I say that out loud?” Ryan was beginning to lookhighlyamused. “I really don’t have a filter. I just say what I’m thinking; it’s such a bad habit.” Her cheeks were on fire.

“Didn’t catch your name.” Ryan smiled at my friend, his gaze warming.

“Amber. I’m so sorry for how I acted. I thought she died from amazing sex!” My jaw dropped as Ryan turned to look between Ace and me, rage coloring his once happy expression.

“Amber!” I shouted at her—absolutelymortified.

He took a threatening step forward in Ace’s direction. “You slept with my sister, asshole?” Ryan barked at Ace, his hands clenched at his sides.

“Oh, shit, I wasn’t supposed to tell him, was I?” Amber looked at me sheepishly, an apology glimmering in her eyes.

I quickly looked toward the kitchen, only to see my parents had thankfully left to go speak in silence about my diagnosis.

“It doesn’t matter what I did with your sister,” Ace snapped at Ryan. “That’s between her and me only.” Ace pointed a finger between him and me.

What did he just say? That asshole!We didn’t even havesex, for fuck’s sake! I got off—that wasit.

“It matters! She’s my baby sister!” Ryan barked, taking another step forward before swinging his right fist, aiming for Ace’s perfect, handsome face.

“No!” I shouted, my heart in my throat. On instinct, I tried jumping off the couch to break up the two, but the pain in my legs crippled me.

Ace blocked Ryan’s fist and stepped back, shaking his head. “Don’t hit me, Ryan. You’re only going to hurt Celine. Look at her. Look what you’re doing to her!” Ace held Ryan back, shoving him into the back of the white couch, where my brother looked at me, seeing the pain keeping me glued to the couch.

“I told you to stay away from her. I told you!” He shoved Ace’s chest. “She’s been through enough; she doesn’t need another man to hurt her.”

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