Bound to Break: Books one in the Bound to series

by Tonks, Rachael

  “Sure. What about your parents? Are they okay with us being here?”

  “Out all afternoon. Visiting family. It has taken Dad all week to convince Mom, but she finally gave into him.”

  I smile widely and follow her as she makes her way down the walkway to the front door. “Dad is thrilled and very grateful for help getting the therapy sessions for Mom.”

  “And your mom? How does she feel about it?”

  She rolls her eyes. “A little reluctant. But she does acknowledge that it might help.”

  “That’s a start.” I rest my hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently. “Things are going to work out. I promise.”

  A smile erupts on her face. “I know. It just takes time.”

  I nod, following her through the hall and into the kitchen. My eyes glance around her house. The last time I came here was years ago, yet it looks exactly the same as it did back then, but maybe a little more worn.

  Opening the fridge, she pulls out a soda and throws it to me. She turns, 3 more sodas in her grasp.

  “Guessing the guys will work up a thirst.” Her eyebrows wiggle suggestively.

  We head back outside, sliding down and sitting on the step. Leo and Jase work hard cutting back the overgrown grass, removing the weeds, and generally tidying up the place. Sasha and I talk about all things dance, school, and boys. I also fill her in on what happened last night with Vinny turning up unexpectedly.

  “Hey,” Leo calls over, grabbing my attention. I look up at him and have to stop my mouth from falling open. His forehead beads with sweat and his shirt is soaked. He leans on the handle of the rake as he tips his head.

  “Any more soda, baby?” he asks, a delicious smirk tugging at his lips.

  “Oh, sure,” I reply, jumping up and heading inside to grab more soda. Opening the fridge, I lean inside but stop suddenly as the sound of raised voices gets my attention.

  Grabbing the sodas, I pull them against my chest and head outside as quick as I can without actually running.

  “What is he doing here?” Jase glowers at Sasha.

  “I, uh, I don’t know. Give me a minute.” She steps back from Jase and heads over to the car parked on the street.

  “Hey, baby,” Jared says louder than needed as he leans over the door of his red convertible. “You haven’t called.” He mock pouts. Sasha stops beside the car, her hands resting on the door.

  “Let’s catch up later,” she replies, her voice low and quiet.

  “Well, you’re clearly busy right now,” he shoots back, his hand landing on the bottom of her back as he pulls her closer to him. He attempts to kiss Sasha on the lips but she pulls back.

  “Not here, not like this,” she says awkwardly pulling away. Her eyes flicker back to Jase who stands watching, his face hardened and I’m sure he’s figured out what’s going on.

  “What’s wrong with you?” His eyes narrow and he hisses a sharp breath.

  I skip down the walkway making my way over to them. I can see how intense things are getting and I need to do something.

  “Hey, honey. We should get back to it.”

  “Sure,” she says with a thankful smile. “I, uh, gotta go. I’ll call later, okay?”

  Jared mutters something inaudible before revving the car and wheel-spinning it out of its parked position.

  “Why the hell would he just show up here like that?” she whispers in my ear as she links her arm through mine.

  “I’m not sure. But Jase doesn’t look too impressed.”

  We walk back toward the house, stopping at the steps. Jase makes his way over to us, holding his hand out for the can of soda.

  “What was that all about?” he asks with a tip of his head. Pulling back the ring-pull, he lifts the can to his lips, gulping down the cool soda.

  His eyes burn into Sasha and she squirms under his intense gaze. “Something and nothing,” she throws out. “But I’ll explain all later, okay?” She jumps up, placing a swift kiss on his cheek. He places his hand on her hip and tries to pull her close.

  “I don’t think so, mister,” she says, quick to pull away. “You’re all hot and sweaty.”

  “Never heard you complain before,” he responds with a wink and I can’t help but laugh.

  Leo appears beside Jase and he leans against the railing. “Here,” I say, handing him the open can and watch intently as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down with every gulp. “You guys have done such a great job. This looks great.”

  “Yeah, I can’t thank you enough for all you have done.” Sasha looks between the guys with a genuine smile.

  “My pleasure,” he says, kissing the top of her head. “Why don’t you girls go get ready for tonight while we finish up here.”

  I exchange glances with Sasha and she nods enthusiastically.

  “You sure?” she asks.

  “Of course. Go get glammed up and ready for an evening of fun.”

  We both smile and jump up. Then I remember I didn’t drive here. “Dammit,” I grate out, letting my hands fall to my legs. “I don’t have a car.”

  “Here, take mine.” Leo digs in his pocket, retrieving his keys before throwing them to me. I catch them, clutching the keys in my hands.

  “You’re the best.” I beam. He steps closer, wrapping his hand around my waist and pulling me into his sweat-soaked chest. It should make me pull back, but I don’t. I love the security I feel when he holds me this way. His head dips until the tip of our noses meet.

  “Tonight is going to be amazing.”

  “If I’m with you, I just know it will be.”

  Our lips meet and my insides swirl as I anticipate the evening ahead.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cassie

  I drive the Mustang back to my house a little slower than I’d normally drive. Shit, it’s so powerful compared to my small Audi.

  We make it back to my house, jump out of the car, leaving the gates open for the guys before heading inside. Sasha didn’t bring anything with her, because I have enough for the both of us. In fact, I have just the dress that will look perfect on her for tonight.

  “Before the night starts, I have to come clean with Jase. I’ve decided, Cassie…” She trails off, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth and biting. “Today, seeing Jared, it just reminded me that I don’t really feel what I thought I did. My heart leapt into my mouth and I was consumed with worry about Jase. I don’t want to lose him. I just gotta hope he will understand.”

  “Me too, honey. I want that for you.”

  “And in time, maybe Jase will look at me the way Leo looks at you.”

  I chuckle, my stomach doing flips. “He already does, you just haven’t noticed it,” I tell her. Because it’s obvious to us all how into Sasha Jase is.

  “I don’t know.” She shakes her head. “You two have this insane connection.”

  “We do, don’t we?” I lift my shoulders as I smile widely at her.

  The stereo in my room blasts out music as we both start getting ready. The black sparkly number I picked out for Sasha is perfection.

  “Oh, I love it,” she says, turning and checking herself out in the mirror. “This must’ve cost a fortune.”

  “Nah, it was on sale,” I lie, trying to take the focus off how much my stuff cost. I never ever want her to feel like I’m flaunting what we have in front of her, because I know how little she’s got.

  “Well, I love it. Thank you.”

  “I wonder what the guys have planned? I’ve never been on a date before,” I add.

  “Girl, you’ve not lived. Although I have a feeling this one is going to be special. If I stay for the whole evening that is.”

  “You’re doing the right thing. Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will be okay.” I try to reassure her, but the truth is, I have no idea how Jase will react to the news he’s not been the only one dating my friend.

  “I wonder what time the guys will get here?” Sasha asks, looking at the screen on her phone.

  �
�Yeah.” I scrunch up my nose. “I thought they’d have been here by now. I wonder what’s keeping them?”

  “Let’s head downstairs, grab a drink, and give them a call.”

  “Good idea,” I reply with a nod. I hit the off button on the stereo and the house falls silent. We make our way to the staircase, shoes and purse in hand.

  Thudding echoes through the house and I smile at Sasha. “I bet that’s them!” I skip quickly down the steps and over to the door. I drop the lock and open it swiftly expecting to see Leo and Jase.

  But it isn’t.

  A guy I don’t recognize stands in front of me. His face is hard and a lump of nerves forms in my throat. “Can I help you?”

  “Where the hell is he?”

  I grip the door handle, ready to slam it shut. There is something seriously creepy about this guy. His hair is long. But not a style, just like he hasn’t had it cut for months—years even. His beady eyes glare at me, dark circles and bags line the skin beneath them.

  “Don’t play games with me, bitch. I know you know where he is.”

  My hand trembles, but I push as hard as I can against the door in an attempt to shut him out.

  It’s no use. His foot stops the door from closing and he pushes back, completely overpowering me. The force of the door flying open knocks me to the ground and I cry out.

  “Cassie, are you okay?” Sasha asks, dropping down to try and help me up. She puts her palm up to the guy in warning. “Stay away from us,” she yells. “Get out of here before I call the police.”

  He calmly closes the door behind him. Standing in front of it with his legs parted and his hands gripped together in front. “So.” He clears his throat. “Are you going to tell me where Luke is or not?”

  Sasha looks at me with a puzzled expression.

  “I think you’re at the wrong house. There’s no Luke that lives here, man,” Sasha informs him.

  With a loud tut he starts to shake his head from side to side. He reaches into the band of his brown tattered pants and pulls out a gun. We both squeal as he steps toward us, pointing the gun in our faces. “So which one of you little whores is going to tell me the truth?”

  “Listen,” I say, pushing myself upright. “I don’t know who you are, or what you want from Luke…”

  “So you do know him?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat.

  “No.” I shake my head.

  He glares momentarily before launching himself at me. Grabbing a handful of my hair, the other hand points the tip of the gun to the side of my head. My heart flares to life and pounds against my chest. Fear seizes my chest and confusion swims in my mind. This has to be someone who knew Leo before he came here. I’m scared to ask questions, to let him know that I know the truth.

  He tugs hard on my hair and I grunt at the pain that sears through my head. My hand covers his in an attempt to get him to loosen the grip.

  “You’re hurting me,” I tell him.

  “Get off of her,” Sasha yells, pushing the guy on the chest. Within seconds the hand with the gun is lifted as he strikes it across her face. I cry out as I watch, as if in slow motion, Sasha drops to the floor. Bright red blood flows from her nose and spills onto the shiny tiled floor.

  “What have you done?” I cry out, tears leak from my eyes as I stare at my friend on the floor not moving.

  A sharp pain seizes my stomach.

  “Time to talk.” He snickers, dragging me up from the floor by my hair. I cry out and try to fight back. My legs swing out as I try to hurt him, do something so I can get away. But it’s no use. His grip is too tight and he easily overpowers me.

  Before I know it, I’m being slammed down into one of the dining chairs.

  My whole body tremors with fear.

  What does he want from me?

  “Who are you?” I ask with a sniffle.

  “I’m the guy that Luke tried to kill. I’m his stepfather,” he tells me with a lift of his brow. My pounding heart almost stills in my chest.

  He’s not dead after all?

  I gasp and Jeff’s eyes widen and he drops to his knees. His hands land heavily against my thighs and I stiffen, pushing myself back into the seat trying to get away from this monster. I know what he’s capable of, and I’m not sure I’m getting out of here alive.

  “You do know something, don’t you?”

  With a shake of my head, tears fall fast and freely down my face, dropping from my chin.

  “Please don’t hurt me,” I beg through my choked sob.

  “You want to live, you cooperate, you get me?” His face is so close to mine and I have nowhere to go. His foul breath is on my face and my eyes are drawn to his stained, crooked teeth.

  He steps up and reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a roll of heavy-duty tape. I freeze in my seat, not sure what to do. If I fight, he’ll kill me. So I decide to go along with it. The ripping sound, as he pulls the tape from the roll, echoes through the room. I clinch my eyes shut as he tightens it around my body.

  My breath is labored and nausea washes over me.

  I concentrate on remembering Leo.

  I love him and I won’t lose him this way.

  This won’t be my end.

  I have to play this game. Smarter and faster than this asshole.

  Because our love story isn’t over yet…

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  Playlist

  Music is an integral part of my writing process.

  Here are the songs that have influenced this story and accompanied me on many late night writing sessions -

  Eastside - (With Halsey and Khalid)

  Youngblood - 5SOS

  High hopes - Panic at the disco

  Happy now - Zedd, Elley Duhe

  Missing you - Robyn

  Flames - David Guetta, Sia

  Never give up - Sia

  She wolf - Sia

  Let you love me - Rita Ora

  Don’t look down - Martin Garrix, Usher

  Lost without you - Freya Ridings

  This feeling - The chainsmokers, Kelsea Ballerini

  Shallow - Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper

  Without me - Halsey

  Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen

  Rewrite The stars - Zac Efron, Zendaya

  Acknowledgments

  There is one very special lady I have to thank.

  Nicki Withey, I couldn’t have got through this without you. You were there for me at every turn, and I am eternally grateful for all of your help and support.

  To Judy Zweifel who has taught me so much over the last few years of working together. You’re simply the best! Thank you for always being awesome.

  To my beta ladies. Thank you for helping me strengthen this story. I love you all.

  My awesome team of cheerleaders. Thank you will never be enough. But here it is anyway, Thank you.

  Last but not least, thank you to all the readers who have read my books. You’re the reason this is all worth while, and I’m grateful you’ve taken a chance on me and my stories.

  Also by Rachael Tonks

  BROKEN GIRL SERIES:

  BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRL

  KEEPING HOPE

  BURN WITH ME

  WORTH THE WAIT (A BURN WITH ME NOVELLA)

  THE EDGE OF LIFE

  THE EDGE OF FOREVER

  THE SCARS SERIES -

  BOOK ONE - THE SCARS OF YOU

  BOOK TWO - THE SCARS OF US

  BOOK THREE - IN LOVE AND RUINS (CAN BE READ SEPARATELY)

  BOOK FOUR - TOGETHER IN RUINS

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