Damaged: A Dark Bully Romance (The Primes Book 2), page 14
“She’s my best friend. If you fuck with her, you and I will have words.” Iz laid a hand on Ally’s shoulder.
Rose nodded. “I know you don’t trust Lauren, but Klause knows I don’t want to cause trouble.” She glanced at Klause, who continued to pace. “Leah, I don’t want to get between you and Klause. Lauren and I are in love, but we can’t be together. She’s not as bad—”
I snorted. “Save it. You won’t change our minds about the Arnoult cunt.”
Rose clenched her jaw and said nothing to me, and turned to the girls. “We all have to contend with our patriarchs, but she has it worse because Alexander Arnoult and William are psychopaths. Everything she’s done is to survive.”
“Are you trying to draw some sympathy from us?” This chick was delusional. As far as I was concerned, we needed to rid this Earth of all Arnoults.
“What do you want, Rose?” Leah asked.
“I just wanted to reassure you and Klause that I don’t want trouble, but you must understand. I have to answer to my father and Lauren to hers.”
“What do you recommend?” Iz hadn’t released Leah's hand, especially since Klause looked like he was struggling to control his anger. He paced back and forth, his body filled with tension.
Rose dropped her head and shook it. “I don’t have one, but if we all work together, we might think of one.”
Nope. “I don’t trust you.”
Rose nodded. “I can’t blame you. This is my olive branch. Just know we are all in the same position. We want the same thing.” She held Leah’s gaze, then Izzy’s, before turning to leave.
“Do you trust her?” Rome asked Klause once Rose was out of earshot.
He stopped pacing and wrapped his arms around Leah’s waist. “Are you okay?” When she nodded, his body visibly relaxed. He pulled her in front of him, resting his chin on her head. He wore a look of contemplation before responding to Rome. “That’s not the first time I’ve heard those words, but if she’s with Lauren, I don’t know if I can trust her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Leah twisted to get a look at him, but he wouldn’t release her. “You never listened when her name came up. I told you repeatedly not to worry about Rose.”
“If there’s a shred of truth to her words, this might be an excellent opportunity to get Lauren on our side,” Ally suggested, which was ludicrous.
Why was the rodent part of this conversation? “Shut your bunny trap. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Christian!” Even Rome shot me a glare, but I didn’t care.
“You can’t trust an Arnoult. Especially you.” I turned to glare at Ally, who flinched slightly. “After all she’s done to you, why are you quick to look past that?”
“I’m not. I’m just saying that if she can be useful to us, we should explore that possibility. I didn’t say ‘trust’ her,” she said with a stubborn look.
Well, look at that. The rodent was finally growing some backbone. She might survive being part of our circle after all.
“I agree with Ally, but until Rose and Lauren have proven themselves trustworthy, we need to steer clear of them. For now, remember that they are pawns used against us,” Iz said.
“Agreed.” Klause pulled Leah to the side, but we could still hear them. “Lee. My father has gone too far. Stay with Izzy and Christian while I sort him out. Okay?”
“What are you going to do?” She reached for his arm, her voice filled with worry.
“What I should have done a long time ago.”
“No. Don’t do anything stupid. Please.”
He kissed her forehead. “I promise. I’ll see you tonight. Stay safe for me, okay?”
Leah nodded and watched Klause walk away. Ally and Iz both stood next to Leah to show their support.
No one wanted to return to class after, so we packed up and went to my place. We entertained ourselves in the rec room. Rome and Ally were both laughing as they played on the pinball machine.
“Are you sure they broke up?” Leah asked Iz.
“That’s what Ally said, but she also said they’re friends first.”
I cared little about anyone's relationship status.
For now, I was content with her in my arms, away from prying eyes.
“I still think we should talk to him,” Leah insisted. I might have heard them talk about warning Rome to avenge Ally’s honor, but Rome was harmless. Because of what happened to his sister, he was driven to protect women, so I wasn’t concerned about him hurting Ally.
Iz couldn’t stop Leah from chewing on her nails, so she convinced her to join Rome and Ally. I was content watching my girl laugh and have fun with her friends.
After Maria served dinner, my phone beeped. It was the alarm at our gate. I stood abruptly, watching my parents’ car drive through. “Party’s over. You need to go. Now.”
“What’s wrong?” Izzy asked.
“My parents just arrived. They can’t find you here, Iz.”
I called Ross, who had the car ready to drive everyone home. “Go. Quickly. I’ll call you tonight. Okay?” I pressed a chaste kiss on Izzy’s lips, she looked like she wanted to stay, but allowed Leah to tug her into the car. The tension didn’t leave my body until I got the camera alert that the car exited the gate.
I waited a few more minutes and headed to the main house.
The DNA donors were in the living room. “Christian. We hope the past few days have allowed you to think about your actions,” Mother said.
“We had been working hard to find you a suitable wife,” Father added.
“Let me stop you two there.”
“How dare you!” Mother moved toward me with a raised hand, but I promised Izzy I’d be okay so I wouldn’t let these fuckers get away with their abuse. If Klause was facing his parents, it was time for me to do the same. I grabbed her wrist with lightning speed. “One little flick of my hand and your little bones will break.”
I laughed at her whimpered response. Father stepped forward, giving Mother a false sense of comfort as she glared at me. “What? You’d hit a woman? Your mother?” I threw her arm back, which caused her to stumble, but Father caught her before she fell on her ass. “You’re not a mother or a woman, you cunt.”
Father rushed toward me, ready to attack, but I stepped forward, leaving less than a foot of space between us. I was a head taller than him, and with satisfaction, he was forced to look up at me. “I’m no longer the scared, pathetic little shit you’re used to pushing around. I’m bigger than you, so I’d think twice before you continue, Father.” I was twice his muscle size, as he spent years behind a desk.
This was a long time coming.
They both shared a look, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was fear in their eyes. “This is how this is going to go. First, you need to stop interfering with my life. I will be with whoever I choose to be with.”
“No—” Father still seemed to think he had the power here.
“Let me remind you two that you are both in your position because I allow you to be. We both know that if I decide to slit your throats, not even the government can intervene. You two are in your position because I am not ready to ascend as patriarch. If you force my hand, I won’t have a choice.”
“But . . .”
“Let's start with this ridiculous thought of betrothal. Don’t force my hand.” I let my threat hang in the air before adding, “I’m sure you will find a way to tell Alexander Arnoult to shove it up his ass. I will not be used as a pawn in his games.” I bellowed the last sentence, which caused them both to flinch. This was good. They were getting the picture.
“If you’re not up to the task, I will happily take over.” My tone held a meaning that they both understood clearly.
“No. I’ll take care of it,” Father said.
“Good. Stay away from me, don’t interfere, and you can keep your position.” Mother looked at me with pure loathing, while Father wore a calculated look.
“Don’t even think about it. I know the laws. You two can’t touch me. If something happened to me, another could intervene with the Waldencourt fortune. Like it or not, I’m in charge here.”
I saw when my father realized they had no option but to give up their beloved power. He bowed his head and nodded. The man I had feared my entire life looked weak and pathetic. I no longer felt anything toward them.
When I was young and naïve, I loved them, but after years of hope and longing for their affection, I learned that there was no such thing as love. There was only fear and power. I no longer feared them. I held the power and was indifferent to the two people who raised me.
In less than an hour, they were gone from the mansion. That was one obstacle down. I stayed in my room, waiting to feel sad or angry, but I felt nothing. They were worse than strangers to me.
If I had to quantify my feelings, I felt relieved. There might be a loss in there as well because I spent so much time afraid of what they’d do to me. They made it their mission to make me miserable, but now that I was free of them, what did I have?
I had no family. I was alone.
Izzy. I had her.
She had spent the last few days making it up to me. She never failed to show me how much she loved me and constantly reminded me we’d always be together. There was a way about her that was easy to trust. I no longer lived with the constant fear that she’d leave.
Even though we had an uphill battle ahead of us, I’d do anything to ensure we’d be together. I’d fight for us. No matter what. Even if she faltered and pulled away, I wouldn’t allow anything to come between us. Not even her.
With that realization, the nagging anxiety in the pit of my stomach disappeared. No force on this earth would keep us apart. I’d ensure that she and I would be together forever.
With my newfound resolution, I hopped in my car to be with Izzy. We might not have the solution right now, but we would fight and eliminate any obstacle that stood in the way of our happiness.
Chapter 10
Catherine
Christian drove us today; he opened the car door for me like a gentleman and held out his hand to guide me out.
I couldn’t contain the goofy grin on my face. The past week felt almost normal. Klause and Christian assured us their parents wouldn’t be an issue. Even Lauren and Rose didn’t cause trouble.
I felt optimistic that we’d get a chance to enjoy the last few months of high school with no crisis.
We walked through the quad hand in hand, stealing glances as we flashed each other secretive smiles. The rest of the world disappeared and there was only Christian and me.
“Look who we have here.”
I stiffened up at the voice that haunted me for years.
It couldn’t be.
I should have known better than to hope for a sliver of happiness because with a snap of a finger, the happy bubble I was in transformed into dread as we came face-to-face with William.
"Catherine," William said, almost like he owned me. Then his eyes hardened as he sighted our clasped hands. I knew that look. I used to fear it because he'd make me pay when we were alone.
He tried to conceal his anger with a malicious smile.
“What do you want, spare?” Christian’s hand tightened on mine. Everything inside me wanted to step away from Christian and beg him not to antagonize William, but I stood frozen in fear. All that inner pep talk of fighting back abandoned me at the sight of my torturer.
William threw our clasped hands another glare, and then his smirk grew as he faced Christian. “I believe you have something of mine,” William challenged. My hold on Christian’s hand loosened, but I didn’t let go.
Christian laughed. “Come and get her,” he responded in a taunting tone. Icy fear slithered up my spine at the dark look that passed over William. The memories of the repeated rapes and pain he put me through were begging to escape.
I needed to get out of here. I tugged away from Christian, but he only squeezed my hand in response. The crushing grip reminded me that Christian wouldn't let anything happen to me. I was safe.
William’s jaw ticked, showing his anger, but he couldn’t take on Christian—an heir.
This allowed me to gain a bit of my confidence back, so when William’s eyes turned to me, I gave him a hard stare.
“Come, Catherine. Aren’t you glad to see your fiancé?”
I copied Christian’s laugh. “Keep dreaming, William. You and your father will never lay a hand on me again.” My voice sounded normal, but I was quaking inside.
Lauren gasped; her pale face stared at me in horror.
William’s nose flared. I had never spoken to him that way before, never disobeyed him in public.
I gripped Christian’s hand tightly as a reminder that I was safe and William could no longer touch me. The weak girl he used to control was long gone. He and his father had killed that person.
Every minute I stood my ground gave me more courage to fight back.
My eyes hardened as I stared at the monster before me. A myriad of emotions crossed William’s face. I could tell he was struggling to control himself. I didn’t doubt that he was already planning his retaliation. It wasn’t in him to let this go, and I wouldn’t be the only one who would pay for it.
In forced nonchalance, William grinned and said, “We’ll see.” His glance made me shudder, and I almost begged for mercy.
William nodded toward Christian and flashed him a look that conveyed this isn’t over. He spun and gestured to Lauren to follow him. “Come.”
She flashed us a fearful look then, with slumped shoulders, followed her brother.
When they disappeared, I sagged against Christian.
I actually stood my ground.
“Are you okay?”
Rutherford Prep and U students were watching, so I forced myself to walk on shaky legs. “I will be.” I allowed Christian to guide me toward the front steps of our school. From the tension of his jaw, he was just as affected.
He shoved a freshman out of the way, scattering his books on the ground.
“Iz. Are you okay?” Leah pulled me into an embrace. “God. You’re shaking.” Christian pulled me from Leah and ran his hand up and down my back until the shaking subsided.
“What is he doing here?” Leah asked.
“He enrolled in Rutherford University. Specifically, in the elect program of Bulop College of Liberal Arts,” Rose said, which meant William would stick around.
He’d be living in the Arnoult compound, not far away from Christian’s and Klause’s mansions. During the day, he’d be in the next building, joining a handful of select students mentored by the department head.
My life just got more complicated.
Klause looked like he wanted to snap at Rose, but she raised her hand. “I’m on your side. No one wants William here.” She looked around the hall and yelled at the gawking students. “What are you all looking at?” When the hall was cleared of eavesdroppers, she turned back to Klause. “You don’t know what he’s capable of, what . . . what he does to Lauren,” she said in a low tone. Her gaze landed on Christian and she said, “He needs to be gone ASAP.”
When Christian didn’t respond, she left.
“I don’t like it, but I agree with her. His presence here is an enormous threat to Leah, and I won’t stand for it.” Klause glared around the hall as if searching for anyone that wanted to harm Leah. It was a look I’d seen Christian sometimes wear that had the students scrambling out of his way.
The bell rang, but no one moved.
It was odd; everything still seemed normal, but my world was crashing down on me. I started the day excited about finishing the last few months of high school with my friends and boyfriend. Now this.
The familiar dark thoughts nagged at me. A part of me wondered what it would be like if I just gave in, escaped from this all.
Ally watched us all with worry. Leah clung to Klause, and Christian looked at me with fierce overprotectiveness, reminding me of what we were fighting for.
“There isn’t much we can do right now, and we might as well go to class.” I grabbed my books and slammed the locker shut.
The guys walked us but this time, followed us inside. “Move,” Christian demanded from a girl sitting in the back row.
“Everyone vacate this row,” Klause added, causing the rest of the students to gather their things and leave their seats.
“What are you two doing?” I asked.
“Two? I’m not leaving either,” Rome said stubbornly, emptying the desk next to Ally of books and tossing them to the row in front.
Ally, Leah, and I shared a look, but we didn’t complain because we were safer with the guys around.
They stuck to us for the rest of the day, switching classes to match ours. Even during free period, they followed us to the library. “At this rate, they’ll be permanent shadows,” Ally whispered, eying the guys who sat at the other table away from us, giving us a resemblance of privacy.
“What’s going on with you and Rome?” Leah leaned on the chair, looking exhausted.
“Nothing. We’re not together, but we’re still good friends. He’s only looking out for me.” Leah studied Ally’s face, probably to make sure she was okay. We confronted Rome after they broke up and threatened to castrate him if he hurt Ally. He assured us he cared about her and would protect her.
That made me think he might have some redeeming qualities, especially since he stopped hanging out with his two sidekicks.
“Are you okay with that?” I jerked my thumb behind me, referring to the guys, because when she and Eric broke up, she couldn’t be around him without crying.
“Yeah. I’m okay. We tried but realized we were better off being friends. I think we leaned on each other after . . . I have no regrets. I gained a good friend.” She meant he was getting over Heather and she was getting over Eric. In other words, they used each other as rebounds.
“What about Eric?” I was glad that Leah asked, because I wasn’t sure if he was still a sensitive topic for Ally. She shrugged in response, but didn’t look angry. She hid behind her hair to cover her reddened cheeks.
