Page 72 of Bound by Wreckage
“You’re screwed, my man,” Nox says, slapping his hand on Rhys’ shoulder.
Rhys shakes his head. “Fuck, if I don’t know it.” Rhys takes off just as an older, beautiful woman with dark hair with red streaks comes up to us. The man standing next to heris an older, wiser, and bigger version of Nox. His parents.
I’d never met them in school. There was never any need to, but seeing them now—they’re a powerhouse couple, and I can tell that just from the vibes they give off.
Nox steps away from me and hugs his mom, then the one-armed handshake hug thing men do to his father. He steps back to me, putting his arm around my shoulders.
“Carsyn, this is my mom, Princess, and dad, Cruz. Mom, Dad, this is Carsyn.”
Princess’ eyes are assessing, digging into my brain and pulling out every secret, hope, and nightmare I’ve ever had in my life just from her gaze. It’s freaking me out, but I don’t release my gaze because something inside of me is telling me not to. Something is telling me that I need to pass whatever thisis or I’ll be leaving in the next few minutes.
After a long few moments, Cruz steps forward and holds out his hand as I release my gaze from Princess. I take it. “Nice to meet you,” he says softly.
“Thanks. Same.” He releases me, stepping back, my attention going back to Nox’s mom. She hasn’t moved an inch from her spot, but I don’t fidget. Where I find this determination from, hellif I know, but I do it.
Finally, what feels like forever, Princess steps forward holding out her hand, and I take it as she shakes. “Welcome to our home.”
She releases me, nods to Nox and Cruz, and walks off.
“Don’t mind her,” Cruz says on a chuckle. “She’s just pissed at me.”
“What’d ya do now, Dad?”
Cruz eyes his son. “You really don’t want to know.”
“Yeah. Probably not.”
That is how the day goes. Introductions. Food. Music. Lots of people and kids. But one thing that is absent after a while—fear. It seems to have vanished.
Several hours later, I’m sitting outside on a picnic table with Nox looking up at the night sky when Princess comes up to the table. “Give me a bit,” she says to Nox, but he doesn’t move.
“If you’regonna scare the shit out of her, then no. I’m not going anywhere.”
A small smile tips her lips. “So protective.”
“Damn straight. She’s been through enough.”
My head turns, not wanting to hear that. Pity. No one ever wants people to pity them, and those words feel like it.
“I’m just gonna talk to her, Nox. Go.”
I’m caught. If I grab Nox’s arm, he’ll stay becausehe’ll know I’m scared. But I can’t show her that. She’s a strong woman. I’ve watched all night how men and women really respect her. So I won’t do that.
“It’s good, Nox,” I say softly. He looks into my eyes then nods, moving to his mother.
“Be good.”
Princess laughs full out. “You’re tellin’ me to be good?”
“Yeah,” he says on a smile and walks into the clubhouse.
Princess takes a seat beside me, beer in her hand, holding it by the neck loosely. She doesn’t talk and the silence is killing me. It’s like waiting for a boom from a firework, but it doesn’t come. Then, when you’re not looking, it explodes and makes you jump out of your skin.
“My boy cares about you,” she starts. “Somethin’s been off with him the past few months. He’s been him, butnot.” She turns fully to me. “Now I can see why.”
I suck in deep, not sure exactly where this is going.
“Why didn’t you come back with him the first time?” she asks straight out.
