Page 23 of Bound For You
Al sits in tense, shocked silence, then asks, “How’d you meet?”
I know he wants to make sure she’s not a spy, which is a little insulting.
“The Brew Box. She works five nights a week, which includes all day Saturday. She’s currently in medical school. She attends New York Medical University, and she still has roughly six months left before she graduates and starts her residency.”
He's silent for a few minutes before he asks, “It’s serious?”
I grunt out a yes, because soon, she’s going to be my wife, hopefully before she realizes who I am. If she’s my wife, she can’t leave me, so I need her tied to me.
“Why the secrecy, then? You know we have your back, right?” he’s murmurs, his voice full of hurt. I didn’t mean to hurt him, I know Damian will feel hurt, too, but they have to understand, Avery is my everything, I can’t lose her. I quickly look back toward the bedroom door.
“She doesn’t know about me. She doesn’t know I’m Bratva.”
“I’m sorry, what?” he sputters.
“Yeah, imagine going to get a coffee, pissed that another one of your best friends ran away again without a word so you have a permanent scowl on your face, and you bump into this shy good girl, and she looks at you like you hung the fucking moon. I swear, Al, when she spoke to me, I felt like someone hit me in my chest. She was all quiet and sweet, so I kept going back when I knew I would be in the area. Then I managed to move up to meeting up with her on Sundays, but she fucking friendzoned me. But when a customer was giving her grief, I finally stepped in…and got the girl. We started dating like normal couples, and the more we saw of each other, the more I fell, and the harder it was to tell her the truth. We spend every Sunday together before I go to Damian’s for dinner.”
He sighs. “But she doesn’t know the real you, Serg. Brother, she’ll think your relationship is a lie. She will be hurt.”
I growl, frustrated, running a hand through my hair. “I know, Al, fuck me, do I know. Both you and Damian, you both fucked up. You are worse than him, but both your women ran. He only just managed to convince Sofia to give it another go, and you, well I’m shocked Phoebe hasn’t put a bullet in you yet.”
He chuckles. “No, she just put a throwing star to my throat, then side kicked me in my stomach, sent me flying, and all that was after she held her gun to my head.”
I burst out, laughing, fucking proud of our girl. Once I calm down from my proud moment, I say, “I’ll tell her, soon. I just want more time. I don’t want to lose her. And I guess I’ll have to tell Damian as well. He’ll be pissed that you knew first.”
He grunts a laugh, then quiets down. I know he’s struggling with the loss of Phoebe, and I know he wants her back.
“She’ll come around, Al, just give her time, keep persevering, and when you get home, you can deal with women who did you dirty. Mindy and Selene purposely sent her the link; they knewa surprise pregnancy and your affair with Selene would send her running. Even though I’m fairly sure she now knows Mindy was lying, you still fucked her sister. She just needs time. And as for Candy, she’s still living it up unaware. She thinks you’re out of town on business, but she has no way to access the businesses or your office at the club, so we don’t have to be concerned about her just yet. I’ll keep an eye on her, okay?”
He sighs again. “Thanks, brother.”
“Anytime. I’m going back to my woman. Talk soon.” Then I hang up and heave a heavy sigh, running a frustrated hand through my hair. I get up and head back to the bedroom. I quickly send Damian a message.
Me: Meet me tomorrow at the office. I think it’s about time I tell you why I’ve been gone so much lately.
I place my phone back on the bedside table, remove my boxers, climb back into bed, and pull my girl back into my arms. She curls into me, her back against my chest. I nuzzle her neck, and let out a contented groan. She sighs happily, and I fall asleep with my love.
twelve
Avery
I’m sittingin my emergency medicine class with Professor Whitmore. This is my least favorite class; not only is Melanie and her clique in this class, but the professor gives me the creeps. He has the same vibe as the men in my foster homes growing up, so I try to stay off his radar. He’s managed to corner me once but before he could touch me, I shoved him away and told him I’m late for another class. Since then, I’m never alone with him, I make sure of it; I’ve never met his gaze and always look down when around him.
I’m writing down the stuff from the board when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn and see Sara, one of Melanie’s friends whose dyed blonde hair has gone wrong because it’s a bright ginger. Her makeup’s overly done, and she is dressed in a tight dress.
She sneers at me, “Do you know how lucky you are? That man of yours is fine. Why he’d want you I don’t know.”
I keep my face blank while on the inside I want to claw her eyes out. Every time I have class with someone from Melanie’scircle, they comment about how lucky I am and how I’m not good enough for him. It’s starting to get annoying. They never paid attention to me until they saw Sergi. Before then, Melanie was always nice in passing, but looks can be deceiving, though.
Finally snapping, I decide to say fuck it.
I smile sweetly and say, “No, Sara, he’s lucky to have me.” Then I turn around to continue writing down our assignments, leaving her shocked. I’m the quiet, shy girl, who doesn’t like conflict, which I am. Growing up in foster care teaches you to keep to the shadows, but it’s just, there’s only so much a person can take.
Melanie leans over, and I sigh. “Yes, Melanie?”
She looks me up and down, and says, “You know you two won’t last, right? He’ll move on soon enough.”
I snort and turn toward her, raising a brow, looking her up and down like she did to me. How is this chick in med school? Just like Sara, she’s in a short, tight dress that shows way too much cleavage for school, high heels, and full makeup on her face. Her hair is in a high ponytail on top of her head. She literally looks like she’s ready for clubbing, not school. Her wardrobe has been getting showier since Sergi started picking me up, and my jealousy spikes. He’s mine, I’m bound for him just like he’s bound for me. I decide then and there to finally put her in her place like Sergi suggested.