Page 34 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

I don’t have the patience for this so I wrap my arms around Delores and give her a squeeze before telling her good morning. Then I grab Peasant around the thighs and throw her over my shoulder. “We’ll be right back Delores,” I say as I carry Peasant down the hall to the library. I give her ass a good smack while I’m at it, just to really annoy her.

“What are you doing?” She squeaks while she tries to wiggle out of my grasp. “Put me fucking down, Connor.”

“Let me check your bruises.” I set her down and pull her shirt over her head.

“Connor!” She holds crosses her arms over her chest even though I’ve seen her in less than a sports bra. “Jesus, Neanderthal, calm down.”

“Turn around.”

“No.”

Great. We’re doing this again. I give her the glare that makes everyone immediately follow my orders. Everyone except Lilith fucking Nelson that is. She just levels me with an unimpressed stare and raised eyebrow.

“Please turn around so I can see the bruising on your back.”

“See Junior,” a pleased grin takes over her face as she spins around, “was it that hard to ask politely?”

“Yes.” I don’t ask, I command. What the fuck is she doing to me?

Her lower back has an angry bluish purple bruise but her skin is so soft under my fingertips. I kneel down and run my fingers along the bruising on her legs. I fight the red haze that threatens to overtake me when I see the outline of fingerprints shading her ankles in a faint bruise. I grip her hips in my hands and press a light kiss to the bruise on the side of her thigh.

There are two sides of me battling internally right now. I want to drive to Ferguson’s house, pull him out of bed and beat the shit out him. I want to shatter his leg and his arm so he can never play lacrosse again. I want to ruin his dad’s tech startup.

Then there’s the nurturer in me that wants to sweep her up in my arms and carry her to my room. Lock her away so no one can ever hurt her again. Kiss her until she heals and loses herself to me, until she realizes she’s mine.

“Happy birthday, Con,” she says as I stand up. Damn if my nickname through her lips isn’t music to my ears.

“Thanks.” I drop my hands from her hips, even though they fit perfectly together. “I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t do it.”

“I might as well have.” I look down at her. “I gave the orders for everyone to treat you like shit.”

“True. I guess I owe you a knee to the balls.”

“Maybe,” I smirk. “But it’s my birthday.”

“There’s always tomorrow.” She picks up the shirt I ripped off her and puts it back on. “I need to go finish helping Delores.”

I watch her walk away before following her, that perfect ass swaying more than usual. She definitely knows I’m checking her out.

Michael and Victor are sipping coffee at the island when we come back in. I watch the concern flash through Michael’s eyes when he notices the bruises on his daughter.

“Lil,” he says calmly. “What happened to your legs?”

“I fell on the stairs at school,” she says with her back turned to him. “Connor saw the whole embarrassing fiasco.” Her eyes plead with mine to confirm the story.

“Sure did. For someone so athletic she sure is clumsy,” I deadpan.

Michael doesn’t say anything to either of us, just makes a disbelieving humming sound before continuing his conversation with Victor. They’ve become friends quickly. It’s like some gross insta bromance for middle age men.

Victor slides a small gift box across the island to me. “Happy birthday, son.”

I look at it for a minute, trying to decide how big of a prick I should be. If Peasant wasn’t here I’d throw it back in my father’s face but she already thinks I’m a rich douchebag so I pick it up. I tear the paper open to find a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch waiting for me along with a piece of paper. The watch is nice and I actually do like it, if only it weren’t tainted by coming from Victor. I unfold the paper and can’t believe my eyes. It’s the title to the Bugatti. Withmyname on it. Victor is giving me the Bugatti.

I look up at him and see him smiling at me. He tosses the keys to me. “You’re welcome. It was always going to be yours.” I catch the keys and wrap my hand around Peasant’s wrist.

“Come on.” I pull her out of the kitchen.

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