Page 26 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

But she's not done. Halfway to the door, she turns. "Alisha," her voice drips false sweetness. "We haven't had a proper chance to talk, so I would like to invite you and Cole to come to a dinner party next week at my house." Her lips curve. "If you're still together, of course."

Before I can shut this down, Alisha matches my mother's tone perfectly. "Sure, we'd love to come."

What the hell? I stare at her, but she just raises that challenging eyebrow at me.

"Great, then that's settled." My mother's satisfaction sets off warning bells. "Samantha, you can come too. I'd love to show all my friends my amazing granddaughter."

Sam's shy "Can I think about it?" makes me proud. She's learning.

"Oh, dear, take all the time you need. Cole will tell me if you're coming or not. It's not an obligation."

At the door, she leans close, whispering, "Cole, George wants to talk to you. He told me he called you several times, but you didn't call back. That's impolite."

"No, it isn't. I haven't changed my mind, Mother."

Her hand comes up to my cheek, and I fight the urge to step back. "But your father would have loved you to—"

"Don't!" The word rips from my throat.

Her eyes fill with tears, but I force myself to stare at the wall behind her. This manipulation worked for sixteen years—not anymore.

"I made a choice, Mom." My voice is steel. "Be glad you still have a successful son."

"But what if she has the same gift as you and your father?" Her words slice through my defenses. "Do you have any idea how extraordinary that would be? Your father would be so thrilled."

"He's dead, Mom." The words hang between us like shattered glass. Her sharp intake of breath tells me I've hit my mark.

"I'm well aware that he's gone, Cole." Her whisper carries decades of pain. "I was there."

The memory slams into me—blood, screaming, ivory keys stained crimson. My chest constricts as she turns and walks away, disappearing into the elevator.

Fuck.

I slam the door and stride straight to the balcony. The demons I keep locked away day after day claw at my skull, demanding release. My hands grip the baluster until my knuckles turn white, but it's not enough. The need to destroy something—anything—rises like bile in my throat.

Heels click behind me. Not now, Alex. Please.

"Cole?" Her voice, usually a balm to my soul, can't penetrate the darkness swirling in my head. "What happened?"

"Nothing." I focus on the clouds drifting by, willing the memories away.

"Come on. Talk to me."

When I don't respond, she tries again. "I understand from whom you inherit that stubbornness. Your mom is one strong, opinionated woman. Has she always been like this?"

"Yeah." Please stop asking questions.

I feel her studying me, weighing her next move. "Okay, another question then. Try to answer with more than one or two syllable words." She pauses. "What's behind the locked door in your bedroom?"

The demons roar. My hands clench into fists. "Nothing."

"Then can I have a look inside?"

"No!" The word explodes from me.

"Why not?"

Something inside me snaps. I spin, barking inches from her face. "Are you deaf, Alex? I said, no. Drop it!"

She sucks in a breath, hurt flashing in those jade eyes before anger replaces it.

"What the hell is your problem, Bulldozer?

" Her hands slam against my chest. When I don't budge, she steps back.

"Don't you dare yell at me like that ever again, Cole Walker.

I don't deserve that. I'm only trying to help you. "

"Then. Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone."

I watch pain ripple across her features before she drops her gaze to her hands. You're hurting her. Stop. But the chaos in my head won't let me form the apology she deserves. Instead, I bend forward, dropping my head in my hands, trying to cage the monsters threatening to break free.

"Do you know what you are, Cole? You're a hypocrite.

" Her voice trembles with emotion. "How dare you lecture me on how important it is to talk about my fears and demons when you don't even do it yourself.

Why won't you trust me? Why do you hold on to them so hard?

Why do you keep hiding behind your shield of arrogance and grumpiness? "

Each question is a dagger to my chest. When she speaks again, her words are quiet but final.

"I'm going home, and I'm taking Samantha with me for a few hours."

I shift just enough to see her hugging herself, bottom lip caught between her teeth. The sight breaks something in me, but I can't move, can't speak.

"Send me a text when you are in the right state of mind, and then I will send Samantha home. But if you need more time, she can stay with me tonight, and I'll make sure she gets to school tomorrow."

She takes a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "The last thing I want you to understand is that if you decide not to be honest with me about whatever is haunting you, Cole Walker, you can kiss that bullshit contract of yours goodbye. Because then, I'm out."

The door closes behind her with a quiet click that echoes like a gunshot. Through the glass, I hear their muffled voices, then the apartment door closing. In the sudden silence, my whispered "I'm sorry" falls on empty air.