Page 50 of Broken Bonds

And because he’d worry about his secrets getting out in a divorce proceeding. Which is another reason I’m sure he wants to reel me in, so I can’t expose him.

I honestly can’t say our father loves any of us because I don’t think there’s room inside his heart beyond his love of power and money and prestige.

Control.

We’re possessions, not family. Even my older brothers, who are his useful tools.

I don’t know what I’ll do if he wins his race and eventually tries to achieve a higher office.

Goddess help us all if he ever sets foot inside the Oval Office as its occupant or in some other role close to POTUS. I know he’d exact revenge on all perceived personal enemies and then proceed to wipe out as many humans as possible.

As I settle into bed, I know I won’t be awake for long…

But then thoughts of Todd firmly wedge themselves in my brain and won’t go away.

I know what might help, though.

I shove my boxers down and spit in my hand before grabbing my cock, which remained semi-hard all evening.

The guy’s fucking hot. I don’t know how long I’ll be around here, but if I can’t stay I hope I get to ride his cock at least once before I move on.

I mean, Jax and Shawn and the other guys aren’t bad-looking either, but there’s just…something different about the bull elk I can’t stop thinking about.

Am I aware it could be a form of trauma bonding? Maybe a—HA!—fawning response for the handsome elk since my flight-or-fight has waned now that I’ve reached relative safety?

Duh. Of course.

Do I care?

Not at all. I will be careful around him, though, because I don’t want to make things weird. Private fantasies while alone in my bed are a completely different thing from following him around like a lovesick puppy.

Except the possibility of that huge 6’-9” man rutting me until my eyes roll back in my head is a tasty hope that has me quickly shooting my load into my fist while my entire body deliciously shudders.

I bet he’d have me walking funny for a few days, at least.

And I’m certain I’d love every fricking second of it.

I sleep like a damned rock, and that alone could prove addictive. I can’t remember the last time I had so much good sleep in a row. The next morning, I’m over at Todd’s fifteen minutes early. I don’t even have to knock because he hears me and turns, calling for me to come in.

“Help yourself to coffee,” he says. “This’ll be ready in a minute.”

I walk over to pour myself a cup. “Anything I can do to help?”

He tosses me a smile. “Nope. Not today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll test your egg skills.”

“I can do scrambled and scrambled. Or, if you want me to get fancy and make an omelet, I can do scrambled.”

He laughs and the deep, rumbling sound of it practically curls my toes.

It also hardens my cock, so I surreptitiously adjust myself when my back’s to him.

Again, the whole “I don’t want to make this weird” thing. He’s done me a huge favor. This has been the softest landing I could have ever wished for. Except for worrying about my father finding me, this is literally the best living situation I’ve had in…forever, it feels like.

My father’s house is luxurious, yes, but it’s still a prison. I’ve lived in far worse conditions, eaten far worse food, and worked harder at grosser jobs for far less pay.

In my book? This is a win across the board.

“Oh, Jax texted me,” Todd says. “He wants your old cell phones and any other devices that your dad might track, and said not to turn them on if you haven’t already. Plus, he needs access to your email, socials, all that.”