Broken Bonds (The Bonds that Tie #1) - J. Bree Page 0,44

sudden proximity.

He’s never been this close to me before.

His voice is rough in all the right ways, goddamn him, as he says “I’m sure you’re not trying to start a fight in the Benson’s kitchen right now, Giovanna, because that would be pretty stupid— even for you.”

Her cheeks flame but she finally stalks off, turning on her heel so her skirt flares to show off her long, tanned legs that Sage is so insecure about.

I don’t think they’re that great, personally, and the rest of her is fucking disgusting. I don’t know how Riley can stand touching her because her looks can’t compensate for the shitty personality.

Gryphon turns around, his face as solemn and moody as it usually is, but I have another Bond to deal with right now.

“Oli is—“ Gabe starts but I rip my arm out of his grip so viciously that he takes a step away from me as I tear into him, “You are a spineless asshole and if you lay a hand on me again I will break it, got it?”

His eyes flick over to Gryphon and whatever he sees in his face shuts him down fast, cursing under his breath.

I want to say a lot more on the matter but Gryphon interrupts me, “Pissing Daniella’s sister off isn’t a good idea if you want to stay off of North’s radar.”

I shoot him a look but his eyes aren’t on me as he nods at some older man across the room, barely paying me a second’s worth of attention, even though he came to intervene for me. Well, I’m sure he was coming to make sure I didn’t actually body slam Giovanna into a wall for daring to talk shit about my dead parents. I hated her before, but now I want to hunt her down and… well, I can’t keep thinking about all the ways my gift would mess her up right now or I’ll end up hunting her down and ruining her.

I turn away, ready to find Sage and just disappear for the rest of the night, only to find that Gabe is scowling at us both, surly like a kicked goddamn puppy, but I’m more than over his shitty attitude for tonight.

He didn’t even attempt to back me up, and if he’s really that intent on making sure I’m safe tonight, then one strike and he’s out. I’m definitely not a sports girl and three chances isn’t my kind of deal.

“Oli! You made it, thank God! Sage is hiding over by the pool, can you help me get her out? Oh! Gryphon, I didn’t see you!”

Gracie definitely isn’t the savior I want right now but I’ll take it. I slide past Gryphon and do my best to ignore the bubbly and flirty looks Gracie is throwing him. “Point me in the right direction and I’ll find her myself.”

She blinks at my savage tone, not at all looking repentant for drooling all over Gryphon, and waves an arm at one side of the room carelessly. Yup, she really did approach me as a way to get in with my Bond, the man I’m fated to be with.

I fucking hate this place.

I stalk off without another thought, definitely without thinking about whether or not Gryphon is reciprocating all of Gracie’s charms and flirting giggles. I weave through the other guests easily, spotting North in a corner with a glass of amber liquid and bricks of ice in it, schmoozing some other men in suits like he was born for this life. I duck my head before he can spot me and pick up the pace until I make it out to the sprawling backyard, complete with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit.

It’s a gorgeous night out, warm air and with the twinkle lights on over one of the hedges it looks like something out of a fairytale. I take a second to just enjoy it before I remember the shark tank I just walked out of and go to find Sage, spotting her huddled by the fire pit with her brother like they’re both hiding from the party.

When I approach them both, Sawyer glances up, startled, and then winces at me like it’s such a hardship to look at me. I’ll admit, it hurts my feelings a bit but I’m also a little too worked up right now to be dealing with anyone’s bullshit.

“Oh God, what happened in there?” Sage moans, looking just a little bit tipsy, and I immediately want a drink