Page 76 of Broken

“Right.”

There is a pause. “You got a problem?”

“No.” I’m not afraid of him. My answer is only quick to get him off the phone.

There is more silence. Then he sighs. “How is he?”

“The same. Keeping busy.”

“He can’t keep internalizing this.”

Something stupid comes over me. I’m tired, my eyes are hurting like hell after pouring over all the footage and recordings.

“He asked for her to be kept away from the club. Can you blame him for his reaction finding her there? Given the situation she was in.”

Nero says nothing. He knows the truth. No one gets into the clubhouse without him knowing. He didn’t like what went down with the drugs, but he didn’t stop her from being there. Like he promised Phoenix he would.

Maybe I’ve overstepped my boundaries. Nero needs to be called out.

“He can’t keep avoiding me.”

“He needs time.”

“I say when this is done.”

Fucking asshole. There is nothing to say to that, so I keep my mouth shut.

“When Ivan texts you, do your job.”

“When have I ever not?”

“Watch your fucking tone.”

Caleb’s face is paused on the screen beside me. Staring at him, I kick myself for antagonizing Nero. He won’t tell me anything if I keep this up. I fucking hate bowing to him but it’s the oath I took when I was a stupid kid, excited to be a part of something I thought was bigger than me.

“I’ll be there.”

Nero hangs up. If I didn’t need it, I’d have thrown the phone at the wall. Instead, I drop it on the desk, the clattering loud in the empty apartment.

Pressing both palms down on the desk, I stare at Calli moving out of the shot. Caleb is standing behind her. She’s completely unaware he’s there.

For the first time in a long time, and this is surprising to no one more than me, I actually give a shit about someone. What I see when Caleb looks at Calli, I don’t like.

Chapter Eighteen

Calli

"Calli…. Psst, Calli.”

The whisper shout is new. Ruby rarely has an issue with calling out when she wants me.

“What?”

She moves closer, facing out toward the café while I have my back to it, cleaning the coffee machine. It’s almost closing time, and this is a chore that needs to be done ready for tomorrow.

“You won’t believe who came in.” Ruby tugs on my arm and I drop the cloth I’m holding beneath the steamer.

“Stop tugging me” I turn to her.

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