Page 50 of Forbidden Bond

Topher’s the kind of guy to lash out when he’s unsure of how to act. I’m almost sure he said what he said to get back at me. I refuse to believe he would use me like that. I’m the asshole in this situation. I did something wrong. He’s probably the best thing that’s happened to me in a while and I messed it up.

Tessa returns thirty minutes later. She lets out a shaky breath and I can tell she’s a little rattled.

“I cleaned Jamie’s wounds and put him in bed,” she tells me.

“Alright,” I say softly.

Whatever happened up there is none of my business. They’re both adults. They’ll figure their shit out.

Tessa takes a calming breath before looking at me. “What’s going on with you, Katie? Talk to me.”

“I quit my job,” I confess. “It wasn’t working out.”

That’s such an understatement, it’s almost laughable. But I can’t very well tell her that I slept with my boss, who also happens to be the son of our dad’s mortal enemy.

Tessa frowns. “You’re staying with me tonight.”

“Won’t your husband mind?”

“Kyle’s away on a business trip,” she replies. “You’re coming with me. And you’re going to tell me everything that’s going on.”

I lean into my seat and sigh. I know I don’t really have much of a choice.

CHAPTER 16

Topher

“Are you fucking kidding me!” I shout as I barge into my brother’s office.

I failed to take into account the fact that he might not be alone. The look Christian gives me is murderous and tension lines Carlo’s face as he looks up at me. The police officer seated in front of them looks up at me, too.

His presence causes my eyebrows to rise. There are usually a few cops hanging around here, but none are ever so bold as to come in uniform. I can’t help but wonder what business he has with the family.

“Topher, a knock next time would be ideal,” Christian states, getting to his feet. The officer stands, as well. “Thank you, Officer Kane. Let me know if there are any other leads.”

The officer shakes his hand before stepping out of the room. Christian flicks his gaze to me.

“I’m starting to consider revoking your access to the pub. I’ll have someone inform me of your presence before you’re allowed in here from now on,” he says.

“Who was that?” I question, ignoring him.

Carlo sighs, crossing his arms and leaning further into the couch. “You came to yell at us for meeting up with your girlfriend, so do it and go.”

I look at both of them in turn. My anger dissipates at the sight of the worry on their faces. “What happened? You can tell me, come on,” I press.

“You don’t—”

“It’s alright. He’ll find out eventually,” Christian says, looking at me. “Stacey’s been abducted.”

My eyes widen. “What do you mean abducted?”

“Kidnapped, Toph. She’s gone,” Carlo replies. “We got the call from her aunt a few weeks ago.”

“Wasn’t she supposed to be at law school?” I question, dumbfounded.

Stacey’s relationship with our family is complicated. She’s the daughter of the first man Christian had to kill. After her dad died, we couldn’t turn our backs on her. Dad put her through school and made sure she had everything she needed. We’ve never really been close. I’ve seen her around, but she mostly stayed away from the three of us. Not that I blamed her. The last time I saw her was when she went to college.

“She passed her bar exam and was coming home the day she got kidnapped. From what we can gather, she made it to New York, but since then, nothing. There’s been no news of where she could be.”

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