Page 23 of Forbidden Bond

Tessa tenses beside me. I grit my teeth. This is how it always is with him.

“I’ll talk to my friend. He’s the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’m sure you’d like working there, we used to go there all the time when you were little.”

I scramble for the right thing to say. He can’t just make this decision for me. “Dad, I’m not going to work there.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re on thin ice, Katie.”

“I realize that, and I know you mean well. I understand where your fears are coming from, but I also need you to understand that my feelings are valid, too.”

“Your feelings are inconsequential.”

The outburst I’ve been trying to rein in escapes. “You can’t force me to get a job if I don’t want to!”

The room grows quiet. I don’t say a word, and neither does he. My sister and mother are absolutely silent. Tessa would never fight my battles for me, especially ones she can’t win. And Mom never fights any battles at all.

“I see,” Dad says, his voice reverting to its normal calm. “Alright then, sweetheart. Don’t get a job.”

Now I’m worried. “What’s the catch?”

“Well, it’s just hitting me that we might have spoiled you girls too much. Provided you with every luxury you’ve ever needed. But you’re a college graduate now; you’ve got a degree that you’re refusing to put to use. Most people would kill to be in your position, but you don’t appreciate it because you already have so much. So I’ll take away some of what you have.”

Tessa finally speaks. “That sounds ominous, Dad. And scary.”

He offers us a half-smile and we wait for him to finish his proclamation.

“There’s nothing scary about it. Your sister wants to make adult decisions, so I think it’s time for her to be a real adult. Real adults take care of all their bills. And they certainly don’t live with their parents.”

My jaw drops open. “You’re kicking me out?”

“James,” Mom mutters uneasily. She gives him a look and they communicate without words for a few seconds. When they’re done, Dad turns to me.

“I’m not kicking you out, Katherine. Where would you live? But I am taking away all your credit cards. You’ll be expected to take care of your bills and personal expenses from this moment on.”

My eyes narrow. “Harsh, Daddy.”

“I’m sure you’ll be alright. After all, you’re trying to ‘build a life for yourself.’” He smiles. “Good luck, sweetheart. When you’re done trying, let me know. I have the director of the Met on speed dial.”

I sigh and lean back in my chair. There’s nothing I can do to convince him. This is my punishment and I’ve got to live with it.

Which means I have to find a job. One that’s well-suited for me. Only problem is, I haven’t worked a day in my life. I am so freaking screwed.

CHAPTER 8

Topher

You think you’re better than them. But you’re not.

Katherine’s words from two weeks ago have been playing over and over again on a loop in my mind. Do I really think I’m better than my father, than my brothers? They’ve made some morally questionable decisions. They’ve killed people and done even worse things. But their motivations were never wrong. They believed they were doing the right thing. They believed they were protecting their families. Do I think I’m better than them because I haven’t picked up a gun and shot someone myself?

The truth is, whether I’d like to believe it or not, I’ve done damage to people not even a gun could have. Just because there was no blood doesn’t mean those actions aren’t a stain on my soul. So ultimately, no, I’m not better than them. But that’s not the problem Katherine pointed out.

The problem is I think I am.

With a groan, I roll out from underneath the car I’ve been working on. Even when I’m trying not to think of her, I end up doing so. It’s really starting to piss me off.

Ellis’s head pops up and he stares at me from the other side of our workspace.

“You good, boss?”

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