Page 81 of Breaking Point

Yet it still hangs in their house.

“Son,” he’d said, the word still echoing in my head.

Mom’s laughter floats down the hallway. I push off the banister and stroll to the kitchen. I pause in the doorway, peering inside. I see her standing at the counter slicing a few tomatoes with her back to me. Olivia stands beside her, assembling sandwiches with meats and cheeses.

“He’s serious sometimes. Other times, he’s… I don’t know. It’s like you said. He’s protective, but he’s got a playful side for sure.”

At first, I wonder if they might be talking about Liv’s love life.

About Chase.

As if I have any right to care about who she dates or fucks.

My blood boils at the thought. Until I realize that they aren’t talking about him at all.

Olivia sighs. “I didn’t think he’d let me come with him. You guys seem very important to him. I don’t think it’s been easy to share that with me.”

Mom chuckles, sliding food across the cutting board into Liv’s awaiting hands. “He doesn’t share freely. Always been the private type. But… you’re here.” She bumps Liv’s elbow. “That speaks volumes.”

“Thank you for welcoming me into your home anyways. It’s beautiful here.”

“I think so too. I always wanted this place to be a home. Part of why Jimmy and I fostered in the first place. Having a place to land… It’s important.”

“It is,” Liv sighs happily, smiling at my mom until she spots me. “Are you eavesdropping?” she teases, and I step fully into the kitchen as Mom turns.

“Bad habit,” I admit, raising my hands in surrender.

Mom glances at me. “Dad want dinner?”

“Staying upstairs.”

She nods and assembles a tray with a sandwich and a cup of broth before she smiles. “You two eat up. I’ll be down in a bit.”

“You feel up to a game of cards later?” I quiz, smiling when she breaks out in a grin.

“Do I feel up to kicking your ass? Absolutely. I’ll tell Jim.” She disappears upstairs, leaving Liv and I alone.

Liv slides a plate toward me with a knowing smile. “Should I be worried about that?”

“Nah. Just a bit of friendly competition.”

“You any good?” she asks.

I smirk, not revealing my cards just yet. I have a feeling if she knew about my winning streak, she wouldn’t play.

Reigning twenty-six-time champ and all.

“I’m decent.”

She laughs at my blatant lie. “You’re holding out on me.”

“Have you ever played?”

“Once or twice.” She gives a casual shrug.“Your mom is sweet,” she continues. “Mama Warden is fitting.”

“Don’t tell her that. It’ll go straight to her head.”

Liv’s blue eyes flicker over me slowly, seemingly looking for any sign of a flaw. The look alone makes my skin warm. No woman has ever had this effect on me.

---