Page 47 of Limbo

“Either you’re a minor or you’re not,” Kevin says. “Judging byCallie’s reaction, you’re not. So, if she were to blow anything that registers on a Breathalyzer, smart money says you’d be suspect of furnishing alcohol to a minor.”

What an ass. I roll my eyes, rotating around. I’m not a fan of keeping my back to my enemies, and Kevin currently meets all the requirements. “You couldn’t possibly prove that.”

He’s a few feet closer than before. “Hard to say. Local law enforcement would need to investigate such a suspicion.”

I stand up taller, not wanting him to see me unnerved. Jordan’s hands return to my shoulders. They bring a hint of comfort with them, but part of me wishes he would bolt out the door, sparing himself from whatever my uncle is prepared to unleash.

“But…” Kevin steps toward us, wagging around a finger, ready to reveal his master plan. “Since they’re here, I might suggest they search the dorms for contraband. Maybe check Callista’s back pocket for her fake ID. You still keep it there?”

No. Fucking. Way.

I actually gasp as he raises the stakes to a whole new level. Even though his threat to Jordan won’t amount to anything, Cam and Jess both keep alcohol stashes in the suite, as do several other students on the floor. I might not care about him being right about my ID, but he and I both know I won’t let him throw innocent bystanders in the line of fire.

All hail King Kevin, the temporary holder of the crown for the most manipulative person in our family. Quite the feat, considering Graham, who will more than likely win back his title sooner rather than later.

Trey’s big brown eyes beg for an apology before he lowers his head with no offer of help. He’s never been capable of standing up to his father, and with Kevin as his boss, it’s even less likely to ever happen. No, I’m on my own, and once again, control over my life goes to the highest bidder. A hell I’m thinking will never end.

With nothing left to do but submit, I take a deep breath. “I need a few minutes to pack.”

Kevin steps aside to let us pass. Trey attempts to follow us in, which would end terribly, so I shoulder the door shut and force him back into the hall. He lets out a sigh, presumably realizing he will spend the rest of our natural lives making up for his betrayal. Maybe longer.

Jordan flips the switch to light the common area, promptly studying me. In the span of a few minutes, with no preparation, he has witnessed a condensed version of the depravity my family offers. I dread him asking any of the questions hanging in the air, but without a word, he wraps me in his arms.

I bury my face in his chest and fight off the feelings running rampant inside me. All the disgust toward Kevin and disappointment in Trey. Fear over facing Graham. Heartbreak from losing the only place I could escape them all. Because that’s what this place was supposed to be. My sanctuary.

For a second, I think the tears might come, but the sting disappears faster than it should. It leaves me to wonder what it will take for the pain to fully surface. And I’m a little terrified to find out.

Jordan’s chin rests on top of my head. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Can we talk about it on Monday?” I ask. My nerves need time to recover from the showdown in the hallway before any in-depth explanation.

“You’re going with them?” He eases back, concern in his eyes while he searches my face. “Is that safe? They were just threatening you—and me.”

Great. Now I need to defend their abhorrent behavior to keep him from worrying. “It’s fine. My uncle and cousin are harmless.” Mostly anyway.

Kevin sometimes tightens the handcuffs more than necessary to prove a point, and once, when we were eleven and eight, Trey decked me. To be fair, though, I had just broken his nose.

“And Graham’s your dad?”

I nod, hating how his voice sounds saying the name. His eyebrows draw in, and he’s still not satisfied, so I drag my finger over his bottom lip.

“Rain check on the floor show?”

His face relaxes, smiling back, and I kiss him. The distraction is as much for my benefit as his. He tightens his arms around me, and what happened in the hallway no longer matters to either of us. I glide my hands up his chest as he kisses over my jaw and down my neck.

Only it all comes rushing back when Trey says, “Cal,” and knocks.

“I might end up hitting a cop.”

Jordan’s lips keep working when he groans. “That would be incredibly sexy.”

“Don’t move.” I back away from him before I can’t and retrieve my bags from my room. “I want you to be right there when I get back on Sunday.”

“All right, beautiful,” he says. “I’ll be waiting.”

God, I hope so.

I leave him there in my suite. As soon as the door shuts and Trey enters my field of vision, my expression vanishes. I drop my bags on the floor and step over them. He sighs again, gathering them up. He follows me to the bottom of the stairs where Kevin is waiting. When we get to the parking lot, I head toward my car, but Kevin snares my arm and redirects me to his sheriff’s cruiser. I slow down, resisting enough that he glances back.

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