Page 2 of Cruel Vows

His words cut deep, lashing at a part of me that still seeks my brother’s approval even though I know it’s almost impossible to gain.

When Dad was alive, Aiden wasn’t this cold and calculating. He was still being groomed to be the heir to the Lynde family, but there was a warmth there.

Now, there’s nothing but a monster where my brother used to stand.

I take a deep breath, glancing at the brass clock on the wall. “I’ll do what I have to for the family.”

Aiden nods, the corner of his mouth tipping upward. “Good.”

Sean reaches for his glass, the light catching the scar that runs from his eyebrow to his jaw. His upper lip curls when he catches me watching him.

It’s a shame pure evil usually looks like it’s walking off a runway.

I round the desk, standing in front of Aiden. “Am I dismissed? I have to get to work.”

“Take one of the guards with you. Latest rumor is that Noah Rinaldo is hovering around Manhattan.”

Taking a guard with me is the last thing I’m going to do, but I smile and nod anyway, placating Aiden long enough to leave his office.

I’m going to hold on to my normal life for as long as possible, no matter what Aiden says.

It’s the only thing I have left that is truly my own.

Morgan grinsand bumps her hip into mine as I punch in my code to clock out. “This has been the longest shift of my life.”

Yawning, I step away from the computer, waiting for her. “I know. I spent most of my shift sewing up gunshot victims.”

Ones who looked suspiciously like the men Aiden was hunting down last week.

The keys of the ancient computer click as Morgan types in her number. “I swear, it seems like there are more and more shootings every day. Maybe I should have stayed in Wyoming.”

“You would miss New York.” I toy with my ID card as we head through the beige halls toward the locker room. “And you would miss working here.”

She rolls her green eyes, nodding to water stains on the ceiling. “We work in probably the shittiest clinic in Manhattan. One of these days, I’m going to get a job at a hospital. Something in the emergency room.”

“I like the outreach.” I push against the blue door, stepping into the locker room and heading straight for the steel bank in the back. “My brother thinks I should spend more time at the family business.”

Morgan’s button nose wrinkles. “That sounds like hell. Doesn’t he own a bunch of casinos and hotels?”

“Among other things.” I unlock my locker, kicking off the comfortable and ugly sneakers for a pair of high tops, scrubs still on until I can get home and scour my skin in a hot shower. “I know he thinks it’s for the best, but I don’t know why he still seems to think that he can control my life.”

“Probably because he’s a control freak.” Morgan slips off her scrubs and pulls on a pretty pink sundress. “You should just tell him to get over it. You could move on with your life. You have like four other siblings who could help him run everything.”

Guilt gnaws at me, making butterflies beat their wings against the inside of my stomach.

Morgan doesn’t know the truth about my family. She thinks Aiden is just another rich asshole in a city filled with rich assholes.

“Look, I know it’s hard to stand up to your family, but one of these days, you have to start living for you.” Morgan takes her blond hair down from its braid. “Especially if you’re thinking about starting that family of yours one day soon.”

I let down my hair, running my fingers along my scalp to soothe some of the tension there. “You’re right, but kids and a husband are on the backburner for now. Nursing is taking up most of my time, and I like it that way.”

She gives me a sympathetic look. “You’re going to get the life you want one of these days. Your brother can’t rule over your life forever.”

And that’s where you’re wrong.

I shrug, letting the conversation go as we head for the door and navigate through the twisting halls out into the dark night.

The lights of the city drown out the stars, and for the millionth time, I wish I lived somewhere I could see stars at night. The city is suffocating at the best of times.

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