Breaking the Storm

by Sedona Venez

  He was the first man in my life to hurt and disappointment me. I was the child he didn't want. A hurt I locked away, but every time he resurfaced, it was like a Band-Aid being ripped from unhealed flesh. It left lasting scars on my soul. Lasting childhood memories seared into my brain of the last time I saw him.

  I was ten, scared, and hiding behind a weeping willow tree, watching one of many heated arguments between my parents.

  Mom was yelling. Her porcelain skin flushed as she waved her hands in his face. Her fingers twitching as if she was one step away from doing something really bad—like casting a wicked spell to render him speechless. It would have been like community service because everything that came out of his mouth was vile. Jack was the name I knew my father by since birth. As usual, he was drunk, angry, and harassing Mom for money. He was, in essence, worthless.

  Mom's fiery-red mane flew around like a cloud of embers as she paced back and forth, waving the piece of paper in her hand like a fan. “Look what I got in the mail this week. It was sent special delivery to my office.” She sneered, crumpled the letter, and tossed it in his face. “You're sleeping with Selma Gilden?”

  He took a big swallow of scotch, eyeing her with barely veiled hate. “Ava, why does it matter? I was just your sperm donor. You made it very clear that you wanted nothing more from me.”

  She laughed. “It's so convenient that you remember that fact when one of your little tarts flaunts that you’re sleeping with them. And when it’s time to beg for money, you’re more than happy to remind me of my stupid mistake of choosing you.”

  He sneered, barely standing, mumbling incoherently under his breath. I never understood how such a beautiful man on the outside could be so ugly on the inside.

  She looked at him with disgust. “Selma is my biggest nemesis. She’s crowing over the fact that she's banging the father of my child, and you have the nerve to ask why it matters?” Her face was furious. She poked him in the chest before responding. “Her family is our business competitors, have been for centuries. They’ve done everything in their power to destroy us.”

  He poured more scotch into his glass and drank it down like it was a glassful of water. “Ava, I don’t give a shit about Other business. Never did, never will.”

  She quirked a red eyebrow. “Why are you here? I locked up the valuables so there’s nothing to steal.”

  His fists clinched. “I need money. I’ve worked hard for it.”

  Mom laughed tauntingly. “You haven’t worked a day in your life.” She jabbed his chest furiously. “You gamble and whore around Manhattan. If that’s what you call a job, then sign me up.”

  He grabbed her hand roughly. “You knew what you got when you got involved with me.”

  Her green eyes narrowed on his painful grip on her hand. “It would be in your best interest to release me before I do something I won’t regret.”

  “Threats from the Fae-witch? Well, that’s hilarious. I'm not scared, Ava. If you want to fight, then let’s fight. But don’t bring magic into it because being torn apart by a wolf-shifter trumps witchcraft any day.”

  She scoffed. “What do you know about shifting? You’re an alcoholic half-breed whose major talent used to be that he was a good lay.” She looked at him like he was shit under her designer stilettos. “Even that skill was limp and lacking a month later.”

  He sneered. “It wasn’t lacking, honey. It just didn’t have proper motivation.”

  “You’re wolf trash, Jack. A major mistake, but I did get something out of it that I will cherish forever. Stormy.”

  His smile disappeared. “It’s always about Storm. The last surviving heir of the Credence bloodline.” He laughed cruelly.

  She smirked. “Really? You’re jealous of your own flesh and blood. Fascinating.”

  He smashed his glass on the ground. “It’s always some game with you. You’re the ultimate manipulator. Always have been and always will be.” He paced back and forth as Mom looked at him like a specimen under the microscope. “No man will ever love a Credence woman. You’re just too damn hard to love.”

  Mom tapped her foot impatiently. “Please, Jack, you knew it was never about love for me. I needed what was between your legs. Stormy was more than worth the hassle of having to deal with you.”

  “Yes, how could I forget? You wanted a child who could carry on the Credence name.” His gaze flipped from her to me. His eyes were cold and glassy. “I never wanted Stormy. You did.”

  She arched a brow. “Are you done?”

  I ran over to my mother, grabbing her around the waist. Mom rubbed my head softly while looking at him with cold eyes.

  “Good. Now leave and don’t ever come back, Jack, or contact Stormy. Ever.”

  “I've been done for years, Ava,” he responded coldly before striding away on wobbly legs.

  Even that young, I refused to cry. “How come he didn’t love me, Mommy?”

  She pulled my hair from my face. “He doesn’t even love himself, baby. How can you expect him to know how to love you?”

  If you don't learn from the past, you’re doomed to repeat it. And I, for one, had no intentions of letting that happen. I had a lifetime of hard-knock lessons I held close to my heart. I scowled, glancing at the sparkling, beautiful Manhattan skyline. Hating the fact I let my mind wander. I didn't linger in the past; it already happened. There was nothing I could do to change it. All I could do was learn from it. I was determined to move forward to a bright future. A lonely but prosperous one, focused on keeping our business successful. Building onto the empire that made my family wealthy. And to do that, we needed to gain the respect of our employees—the escorts. They were the rare commodities that didn’t respect Light’s or my authority—yet.

  I moved back to a safer topic, our missing employee. “Celina knows the rules. Notify us if she's going out of town. And as flighty and scatterbrained as she is, she always does that.” A shiver ran down my spine. “No, something's wrong. And it's the wrong time for something to be wrong. She's the only she-wolf escort that we have.”

  “Storm, will you shut it? You're killing my buzz.” She took another big swallow of champagne. “Why are we still talking about this shit?”

  My eyes widened as my mouth hung open. “Have you been asleep during my whole tirade? Ryker wants an escort for his best friend. Some freaky birthday present.”

  She gave me a look of confusion.

  Sighing heavily, I continued. “Ryker Alfero.” Light just stared, so I continued. “Ryker Alfero, Alpha of one of the largest and most powerful wolf-shifter packs in New York? He's the fucking leader of the Other Council.” Everyone knew about Ryker's fight for Alpha position of the pack. When his father was killed in a bloody wolf clan battle, he challenged his uncle for Alpha position and won.

  Light rolled her eyes. “I know who he is. I just can't figure out why you just didn't tell me the problem a half an hour ago instead of blabbering.”

  My mouth dropped open with shock. “What? Did you think I was looking for Celina because I was looking for sex advice? We need her.”

  Light drained her glass. “Give me the rundown again.”

  “I got very limited information from Mom. All I know is that he's requested a she-wolf for some best friend who’s in town for a couple of weeks. It's some birthday surprise present for him.”

  Light’s eyebrows furrowed. “The contract covers non-pack members?”

  I shrugged. “Unfortunately, it does. And since you've been handed the easier assignment, I'm stuck going to the party to meet them to ensure that they’re clear on the parameters of our services.” I rubbed my head, feeling the start of a major migraine coming on. “Ryker's too powerful for us to mess this up.” Not to mention that our families had history—very bad history.

  Light frantically flicked through the repository of escorts on her tablet. “Okay, we’ve got a couple shifters available at the end of this week. A tigress and a jaguar. So you bat those gorgeous hazel eyes, smile, run your
tongue over your full pouty lips all sexy like. Then casually have Ryker's friend look through our roster of shifters and hope like hell he takes the bait and switches.”

  “What planet are you on? Besides, his contract specifically states that a she-wolf must be provided. Which means that we're royally screwed because I'm not trying to piss him off by telling him we don't have something that we contracted to provide.”

  Light inhaled sharply. “I heard he has a wicked temper.”

  “Okay, thanks for adding, Light.” I paused. “If I don't find a she-wolf like quick, fast, and in a hurry, we are both screwed, partner.” I sighed heavily, already tired of a game that had been played by our ancestors for centuries. Only this time it was our time to play. And if we lost, we would be the first Credence generation to change history, and not in a good way.

  “Shit! We're fucked.”

  I clapped my hands. “Finally! I get some concern from you. It's not just me, baby. It's you and me in this clusterfuck! So hold on for the wolf ride because it's going to get real bumpy.”

  Light scooted from the couch. “Hell, why do they do this shit? They’re getting more devious every day.”

  “Just another test to see if we can handle this business—if I survive the blood bath of being mauled to death by an Alpha.”

  Light snarled. “You're not getting ripped to shreds by some crazy wolf-shifter.” She pulled out her cell, shouting, “Crazy witch!” voice-dialing Lia.

  “What, Light?” Lia responded with an annoyed voice.

  Light screamed, “What the hell, Mom?” She was actually hyperventilating while I was thinking about how to avoid being ripped to pieces by a pissed-off shifter. Light continued her hysterics. “You and Aunt Ava promised a big, badass wolf-shifter a she-wolf we don't have.”

  I pulled her cell closer. “Aunt Lia, where's my mother?”

  Mom’s husky voice interrupted like some sultry, sexy kitten. “Calm down, sweetheart. Why are you screaming? I'm right here. You’ve always been such a high-strung little witch in training.”

  I wasn’t going to fall for her distraction techniques. No, this time I was focused on the issue of not wanting to die. “Mom, why is your cell turned off?”

  “Jack is phone stalking me again. Something about wanting to meet me to discuss important business. Well, that's not going to happen.” She sighed. “What do you want, honey? We're very busy.”

  My patience was running thin. “Didn't you hear what Light just said? We don't have a she-wolf.” I wanted to bang my head with frustration. “Credence O. rule, always deliver what's promised to the client. We—can't—deliver,” I screamed.

  Aunt Lia responded coolly, “Improvise, darling.”

  My gaze slid to Light before responding. “Improvise? That's your answer? I can’t conjure up a she-wolf. Believe me, right about now, I wish I could.”

  Aunt Lia chimed in with an annoying singsong voice. “Improvise.”

  Mom laughed before she said, “You're a big girl. Both of you are. Credence women have been dealing with Others for centuries. Doing what is necessary to keep our business successful. Don't be the one Credence to fuck this up.” Her voice was cool and collected. Nothing ruffled that woman’s feathers.

  Aunt Lia said, “Well, darlings… we've got to go now. The party is starting and we need to get first dibs on the major hotties.”

  Light’s face was flushed with anger. “This is so bad.”

  I refused to give up. “Are you testing us?”

  “We don't have time for games, Storm. You should know that, especially when it comes to the family business,” Mom responded. “But we do question your ability to run this business without us. Just listen to you two. You're panicking over a missing she-wolf. Tradition is tradition. You must prove you can run it without our intervention. No exceptions.”

  “Humph, especially to someone who's turned her nose up at who we are and what we do, while reaping the rewards,” Aunt Lia said.

  I squirmed. “I've never turned my nose up.” Well, not exactly. “I've managed the funds. I’ve done excellent investing, doing everything you two refused to do by actually focusing on something other than entertaining clients.”

  “I'm never doing magic, ever! Boo-hoo!” Aunt Lia mocked me and my decision to never use the craft.

  “That’s my choice and it doesn’t have anything to do with my right…”—I looked over at Light—“our right to claim our legacy, taking over the business. By Credence law, you two are supposed to transition the business over to us and then fade into retirement.”

  Light chimed in, “Poof be gone, Mother.”

  Mom laughed. “I do believe these two are the worst of the Credence bloodline. And let’s not talk about the sad fact that there's no mate potential. The Credence bloodline will die with them.” She sighed loudly. “It's damn depressing.”

  Aunt Lia responded, “I know, no grandbabies. God, I’m going to be sick.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Damn drama queens. I don't hear Aunt Trulista whining about the last of the bloodline.” I hated the fact that it was a true statement. We were literally the last of the Credences. If we didn't produce children, the bloodline would die with us. Not that we succumbed to pressure. I wasn't even sure I wanted children. A fact I would never tell my mom for fear that she would literally have a heart attack.

  Mom responded coolly, “Tru is too busy with coven business. Besides, she did her part by providing a Credence heir. It's not her fault that Sky is as hopeless as you two. For goodness sake, this isn't rocket science. Find a man and have a child.”

  Light sputtered, “We’ve got plenty of time.”

  Aunt Lia scoffed. “Please. You think committed is something they do to crazy people. And poor Storm hasn’t gotten laid in so long that if she cracks open those gorgeous legs, you’ll see cobwebs and dust.”

  Mom's laughter was smooth like molasses. “Good one, sister.”

  Listening to them was annoying as hell. “Not everyone believes a good date means a night at a BDSM club with a seedy wolf-shifter licking her stilettos.” I smiled wickedly. “Or that foreplay begins at the sound of the come-and-get-it dinner bell.”

  Light and I high-fived. It was like a tag team. Us against our mothers.

  Light chimed in, “Dinner is served.”

  Aunt Lia laughed. “Insolent little witches. Admit it. You both just gave up on trying to find a man. It's sad really.”

  Light's eyes went wide. “For the last time, I'm on a man break. Storm's the one who's avoiding finding a man.”

  I gave her the evil eye. “Remind me that you have an ass kicking coming to you.”

  Light shrugged. “I'm just saying that you're ready. I'm not.”

  “You both are ready. The time of casual fucks is over. Take the leap of fate and find the one.”

  Regardless of all the trash talking, I loved them, but they expected us to give as hard as we got. In my family, toughness and resilience was rewarded. The weak would not inherit the earth. “I really don’t care what you say as long as you get your skinny butts back to Manhattan. We’ve got a major crisis here.”

  Mom's voice got deep and hard, indicating that playtime was over. “There’s no we about it. You two have a major crisis. And you will do what I instructed. And each of you is responsible for your assignment.”

  My voice was just as hard. “Don’t you use that Domme voice on me. It doesn’t work.”

  “Oh, don’t you fear, smart ass. One day a Dom will have you scurrying for cover.” She sighed heavily. “I’m bored, sister. Shall we go over the rules of engagement so that we can be done with this tired conversation?”

  They actually cackled in a creepy way. This was trouble.

  I looked at Light worriedly. “We know the rules, Mom.” It was drilled into us since we were young. Golden “do not break” rules and other miscellaneous rules thrown in with a little common sense.

  “Quiet,” Mom barked. A command that was icy and impatient.

 
I blinked, gritting my teeth, rearing for a major battle.

  Mom continued. “Rule one, there is no fraternizing with clients. This includes sex, dating, and the fuzzy area in between. We don't shit where we eat. Rule two, don’t mess with the family business. That means do whatever you need to do to keep the client happy. Our reputation is everything.”

  Aunt Lia continued. “Rule three, over promise, over fucking deliver. Our girls are the cream of the crop. We attract and retain the very best. That’s how we've maintained our legacy contracts with those damn awful bluebloods for centuries. Remember that.”

  Mom interrupted. “Rule four, what we promise, we deliver. If it means selling your soul to the underworld, so be it. If it means promising your firstborn, kiss your baby good-bye. Rule five, we don't break up marriages or relationships. Single and available is all we match. We don't care how much money they have or promise. That's off the table, period. Rule Six, break or destroy the business and we will break and destroy you. This is our legacy, and blood won’t mean shit if you two fuck this up. You get me, ladies?” She paused. “These rules are the same ones handed down from generation to generation. When my mother lectured me on the rules, I was just as insolent and resentful as you two. But I learned the hard way that this is what keeps order and structure within the Credence family and among our employees.”

  By the time she was done, I was queasy and more than a little disturbed. This was the major take-no-prisoners Credence test. I felt it in my bones. “I mean, how hard could this possibly be? The escorts have the easy part. All they do is look pretty as arm candy. We do all the hard work.”

  Aunt Lia laughed. “Is that so? There's so much you two smart asses don't know about what it takes to be an escort. Humility. Intelligence. Keen negotiation skills. And submission.” She sighed. “Oh, Ava, how could they not know this?”

  Mom sighed heavily. “This is exactly the reason the escorts don't respect them.”

  I rolled my eyes. “They don't respect us because they know that they can run to you with the slightest complaint about us and you'll take their side. And please don't act like they're rocket scientists or out to create world peace. All they care about is the money.” I wasn't even going revisit the last test. It was an epic fail when Light and I hosted the monthly escort dinner for the first time. Typically, it was an elaborate bonding event my mom and Aunt Lia hosted where the escorts gave the status of assignments and gossiped on which Other millionaire and potential client was in town. Who got mate-claimed. It was just an overall bonding session. But when they found out we were hosting, half didn't show up. And those who did treated us with outright hostility.