All Chapters of His Broken Vow: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Bella had not been sleeping well.Desire was a restless thing that curled around her ribs like smoke that lingered, not because she was afraid or doubted.She was startled from her reverie by the thrum of a very powerful engine.Just as the early morning mist began to clear from the street, a matte-black Aston Martin Vantage appeared at Linda's townhouse. The car's predatory, expensive, sleek design made it seem out of place among the modest buildings surrounding the area.Dave Stark stepped out.He was noticeable even from a distance.Tall, wide-shouldered. Wearing a charcoal coat and dark slacks, he exuded quiet authority. The air changed just by his presence, as if the world moved to make room for him.Before Bella could even get to him, her breath caught.Dave's firm, possessive hand was on her jaw as soon as she slid into the passenger seat, turning her face in his direction.His mouth claimed hers without warning.The kiss was deep. Hungry. The kind that replaced thought with he

Dave Stark gently set Bella down on the bed as if she were some precious but dangerous merchandise.With one hand pressed against the side of her head and the other reaching out for her, he came close to her as if the only thing that kept him sane was to close as much space as he could between them. His eyes wandered over her face as if committing her features to memory.Bella’s breathing was shallow.Then, in one smooth motion, Dave stood up to remove his white T-shirt by taking it off over his head.Her eyes betrayed her.Broad shoulders. Muscular arms honed from violence and training. A powerful chest expanding and contracting with controlled inhalations. A hint of body hair disappearing into the waistband, tempered abs disappearing into low-slung black jeans."Perfection" was a very weak word.A dark glint flickered in Dave's eyes as he noticed the way her eyes lingered.He whispered, "You’re perfect."Then he kissed her.Not gently.Not carefully.He pressed his lips to hers as i

Bella noticed Dave Stark’s name before she even registered the vibration of her phone.Her heart leapt, light and reckless, the way it always did when his name appeared. She’d saved his contact with a simple white heart—nothing dramatic, nothing loud. Just quiet certainty.She fixed her gaze on the screen for a moment too long and then looked up at Morgan, who stood next to the large, charcoal-gray Aurex VX that was parked under the bright floodlights outside the estate hall.“Are you sure you want to leave already?” Bella asked, trying to sound casual. “You could stay longer. Everyone’s still… enjoying themselves.”Morgan smiled faintly, a smile that never quite reached his eyes. “Parties aren’t really my scene. I’ll be much happier once I’m out of this place," he said."Yes," she nodded, understanding more than she was saying. It had been a rough night, with too many people watching and too many things left unsaid. Bella quickly sent a message to Sandra and Nova, letting them know M

Lunch was usually loud—voices overlapping, laughter spilling, trays clattering—but the moment Bella took her seat at the Hybrids’ table, an unnatural stillness crept in.Joy and Eve sat beside her, shoulders tense, eyes alert. This was the first time they’d joined the table while Serena was present.Bella felt it immediately.A longtime friend of Dave’s, Serena, sat across from them with impeccable posture and a chin that was ever so slightly uplifted. Her gaze evaluated Alice and Nova in a way that was in no way accidental. It was not quite hostile. This was an appraisal. Much like calculating the weight of prey.Bella looked away and forced herself to breathe steadily.“You're only imagining things,” she told herself. “Not everyone is out to hurt you.”Dave's caring hand slid into hers. Soft and loving, with every appearance of intimacy, he leaned in towards her, moved her hair aside, and nuzzled his lips into the side of her neck. Bella automatically relaxed and turned her head to

Her fists clenched around the container of juice as if it was the only thing that was holding her in place, Bella sat perfectly still after the ring of the bell signifying the start of lunch.“You should probably go out there and sit with them," Joy said quietly. It had always been Joy who had acted as the mediator between the three of them, tempering her words and delivering them gently. “People are starting to look," she said.Bella did not raise her head. “I won't leave you.”"Just that. She would never leave us to go and sit with the hybrids," Eve shrugged and scoffed."I didn't mean that," Joy stopped. "It's just that you're one of them now, Bella."Bella suddenly raised her head. "No, I'm not."Joy winced slightly. “You are. Maybe not in your heart, but everyone can feel it. Your presence—it’s different. Stronger. Intimidating.”Bella blinked. “I intimidate you?”“No—no,” Joy rushed to clarify. “Not like that. It’s just… the aura. All Hybrids have it. And now you do too. “Becaus