Novels by cannonblack330

River POVI peeked around the corner of the kitchen door, making sure no one was there. The coast was clear.Steven tiptoed beside me, his eyes wide with excitement like we were sneaking into some big adventure.“Is she gone?” he whispered, glancing around like a little spy.I nodded, whispering back, “She’s not here yet. Let’s hurry before Stella comes back.”He let out a little squeal of joy, and we both ran into the kitchen, giggling like two mischievous kids.We got to the sink, and I turned on the tap, filling it with warm water. Steven climbed up on his little stool next to me, his eyes shining.“Okay, you wash, and I’ll wipe, right?” he said, like we were planning a mission.“Exactly,” I grinned, squeezing dish soap into the water.I dunked a plate into the soapy water and started scrubbing while Steven grabbed a towel, standing at the ready like a proud little soldier. When I handed him the first plate, he wiped it so carefully, his tiny fingers moving with so much focus it al

River POV Words couldn’t even begin to describe how I felt — heck, I don’t think I even understood it myself.I felt heartbroken. Sad. But angry at the same damn time.The moment I saw them — saw him — my whole body had gone rigid. My mind had screamed at me to run, but at the same time, another part of me, a weaker, traitorous part, wanted him to come closer, to pull me into his arms, to kiss me until I forgot why I ever hated him.I blamed it on the mate bond. I had to. It was the only explanation for these twisted, confusing feelings bubbling inside me.But no matter what that cursed bond tried to make me feel, the hatred I had for him — for them — was stronger.Those feelings I’d buried so deeply inside me, locked away and ignored for years, they all came rushing back the moment I saw Zed’s hand wrapped around my devil of a sister’s waist.It was like an old wound being ripped open again, blood spilling everywhere.I sat on the edge of the bed, knees pulled to my chest, my head re

Zed–POV“Wow!” she snapped, yanking herself out of my grip, her eyes blazing with rage. “Mere women squabble, huh? It wasn’t a ‘mere women squabble’ when you were getting a goddamn boner the size of a fuckin' mountain in the middle of a restaurant the second you set eyes on your ex-wife — my sister!”Shit. She saw that?“Yes, I did,” she shot back, as if reading my mind.I felt my blood boil. “What the fuck do you mean, yes you did?” I snapped, my fists clenching at my sides. “You’re taking this shit way too far, Amber. And I’ll be damned if I stand here and listen to more of your bullshit tonight.”I stalked over to the nightstand, grabbing my phone with shaky hands.“Where the hell are you going, Zed? I’m not done talking to you!” she screamed, her voice cracking from anger.I turned around sharply, my eyes narrowed. “Well, I’m done talking to you,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “I’m heading to my office. And if you even think about following me with your constant nagging,

Zed POV I pushed open the bedroom door, already tugging at my tie, the knot suddenly feeling like it was strangling me.Amber stormed in right behind me, her heels clicking furiously against the floor before she slammed the door shut so hard it rattled the frame.“What the hell was that, Zed?!” she snapped, her shrill voice echoing off the walls.I tossed my tie onto the bed and started working on the buttons of my shirt, trying my best to stay calm– refusing to give her the argument she needed.“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Amber,” I said, my voice flat as I shrugged off my suit jacket and draped it carelessly over the edge of the bed.“Oh, don’t you dare play dumb with me,” she yelled, stepping forward, her fists clenched at her sides. “What the hell happened at the restaurant?!”I bent down to unlace my shoes, tossing them aside one by one with a heavy thud. “We had dinner, Amber,” I answered slowly, like I was talking to a child. “That’s usually what people do at resta

Jay–POVI finally turned on the ignition, my hands shaking slightly as I gripped the wheel. The car roared back to life, and I pulled us back onto the road.The drive home was the longest, heaviest silence I had ever experienced in my life.I kept glancing at her from the corner of my eye. Her face was turned to the window, her tears leaving shiny trails on her cheeks. She wiped them away roughly with the back of her hand, but they just kept coming.I wanted to reach for her so badly. To pull her against my chest, to whisper that it was okay, that I’d protect her from everything and everyone, including her past.But I knew better.I knew River needed space right now more than anything else.I swallowed the lump in my throat and tightened my grip on the wheel. Every second that passed felt like a knife twisting in my gut.By the time we pulled into the driveway, my nerves were completely shot.I stopped the car and turned to her, hoping — praying — that she’d look at me, say something,

Jay — POVI kept my hands tight on the wheel as I drove us home, the silence in the car so thick it felt like a living thing clawing at my skin.“Mind explaining to me what happened back there?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm, though the frustration was starting to bubble beneath the surface.She didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look at me. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead on the windshield, like she was watching a movie only she could see.Not this again.I felt my jaw clench. My fingers tightened on the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. I could feel the anger building in my chest, spreading like a fire.I slammed on the brakes abruptly, the car jerking forward so violently it pushed us into our seat belts.She turned to me sharply, her face twisted in anger. “What the hell, Jay?” she yelled, her voice shrill. “Are you trying to kill us or something?”“Oh, now she speaks,” I said flatly, my lips pulling into a thin, humorless line.She scoffed, rolling her eyes so