Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge Book 1)

by Nichole Greene

  “Appears that way. Let me grab a banana and scoop of peanut butter and I’ll be ready.”

  He fills our water bottles while I eat and put my shoes on.

  “Have you been down to the gym aside from our tour from Victor?” he asks closing our front door.

  “No, I just went to the pool for a bit yesterday and then spent the rest of the time unpacking.”

  “Well, it’s insane. Everything is state of the art.”

  “Great, hopefully Junior doesn’t use it regularly so I don’t run into him.” Although from the way he filled out his clothes yesterday I’m willing to bet he spends a decent amount of time in the gym.

  We turn the corner to the gym and, sure fucking enough, Connor is on the treadmill. Even worse, he’s dripping sweat and shirtless. His shorts slung low on his hips, highlighting his Adonis belt. His eyes meet mine in the mirror and he smirks, obviously having caught me ogling him.

  “You got a bit of drool there,” Dad points at the corner of my mouth.

  “Shut up,” I shoulder check him after turning several shades of pink. “I’m gonna kick your ass old man.”

  He throws his head back laughing, “I’d like to see you try.” He leads me over to some open mats. We start with some classic calisthenics, you can take the man out of the Marines but you can’t take the Marines out of the man. I do more sit ups, Dad does more push ups. We do some mountain climbers.

  Dad’s goal in training me in Krav Maga was to teach me situational awareness and the easiest and most effective way to defend myself. Things that were important growing up on the south side of Chicago with my dad away on business regularly. We go through strikes, take downs, and ground work. I don’t even notice Connor watching us until I take Dad’s feet out from under him and before grabbing our waters for a break.

  “Lil,” Dad says from his prone position on the mat, “I think I’m done for the day. That last take down actually hurt, baby girl.”

  “Told you, old man. The student has eclipsed the teacher.” I take greedy gulps of water while making eye contact with Connor, who hasn’t stopped staring. “Want to be next?” I arch a sassy eyebrow at the pretentious punk.

  “I don’t even know what you were doing,” he answers without dropping his gaze.

  “Krav Maga.” I pull my tank top over my head and that does make him drop his gaze. “You done with the treadmill?”

  “Yeah.” He slowly lets his eyes travel up and down my body. It doesn’t feel sexual in nature, more like he’s dismissing me as unworthy. “Don’t forget to sanitize it when you’re finished. You’re disgustingly sweaty.” With those parting words he walks out.

  Asshole.

  I put my ear buds in and fiddle with the treadmill until I find the settings I want. Junior’s put me in a foul mood so I pull up my Dark Signal playlist and start blasting Drag Me to Hell. That prick is going to make this year difficult. I wonder how far he’s going to push it. If it’ll be run of the mill douche baggery or something original.

  Either way, I’ve seen way worse than any of these trust fund dickheads could ever imagine. I’m confident I’ll be able to handle anything they throw at me. Show no fear, just I like I did my first day at Lincoln High. I bet none of these rich kids have ever walked through a metal detector to go to class.

  I finish my run and walk over to grab the sanitizer spray and a paper towel. “Better make sure to sanitize the equipment like a good little girl,” I mutter under my breath mockingly. “Jerk.”

  “Talking to yourself, little girl.” I hear a voice whisper in my ear.

  I spin around, surprised and irritated to see Connor right behind me. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” I squeak, my heart racing.

  “Missed a spot.” He points at a drop of sweat on the track of the treadmill.

  Fucker.

  I swipe the paper towel over it and stomp over to the trash. I slam the sanitizer back on the shelf and turn back toward the dickhead with the totally expressionless face. “Do you need something?”

  “For you to leave.” Cold, green eyes meet mine.

  “Hmmm,” I tap my finger to my mouth, “I think your father would say otherwise.”

  “Ready to suck his dick already? You work quick.” He spits maliciously.

  “What?” I pull a disgusted face. “God, no. Fuck you.”

  “You’ll end up on your back for one of us. I know how this goes.”

  “I won’t be on my back for anyone in this town. Did you come in here for a reason or just to be a raging asshole?” I say as I brush past him.

  He reaches out and grabs my arm in a tight grip. “I was sent to tell you to be ready in the foyer at 5 for dinner. We’re going to the city. Try to look like you belong.” He sneers over his shoulder at me.

  God, I fucking hate him.

  I spend the rest of day cursing and muttering under my breath.

  * * *

  It takes me longer than usual to get ready for this dinner tonight. I take time to curl my hair into soft waves that cascade down my back. I pull out my contouring palette to highlight my bone structure. I chose a coppery brown eyeshadow and smudge it into a smoky eye. I finish off my look with a dewy pink lip gloss on my naturally plump lips.

  I only have a few dresses so I settle on my blue dress. It’s fitted through the bodice with a full midi skirt. I haven’t worn it in over a year and my boobs have definitely grown. I grimace when I notice the amount of cleavage. I try moving my boobs around to minimize it but it just keeps making it worse. I bend at the waist and jiggle them to get them back in a more natural position. This will have to do.

  Jesus, I need girl friends.

  I grab a pair of black strappy sandals. Dad gave me diamond earrings for my 16th birthday so I put those in. I debate spritzing on some perfume but grab my roller of lavender essential oil instead. I think I’m going to need all the help staying chill that I can get. I check myself one last time and take a selfie to send to Z for his opinion before going out into the living room.

  “How do I look?” I come twirling out of my bedroom.

  “Beautiful, as usual.” Dad checks his watch. “Shall we?”

  “We shall.” I follow him out the door and down the hall.

  As we get to the staircase we meet Victor and Connor on the landing. Connor and I lock eyes immediately. I feel his searing gaze as he looks me up and down. I see a flash of desire in his eyes, like a predator locking onto his prey. Disturbingly enough, it shoots heat through my body.

  I look him over just as closely. He’s wearing charcoal gray dress pants, a black button down shirt rolled up to his elbows. His hair is effortlessly styled, like he just ran his hands through it once or twice. He’s wearing a fancy looking watch on his left wrist, a black leather belt and expensive looking shoes. As much as I hate myself for thinking this, he looks really damn good. If he wasn’t so rude I’d probably be catching feelings for him.

  “You two coming?” Victor says from the bottom of the stairs. He and my dad share a look.

  We each go down the stairs closest to us.

  “Not sure I like how you’re looking at my daughter, son,” Dad says to Connor.

  “No salacious intentions, sir.” Connor manages to look innocent. “I can promise you that. She does look lovely though.”

  “Indeed, she does.” Victor smiles warmly at me as Edward opens the door for us. Victor motions for me to go first.

  A large black SUV sits out front. The driver opens the door and I move back to the third row. Connor follows me and sits beside me. Dad and Victor each take one of the second row bucket seats. They start talking business right off the bat leaving Connor and I to sit in stilted silence. My phone buzzes with a text.

  Zion: U look sexy AF

  Me: Ha! Thnx

  Zion: I’m serious

  Zion: The rich boys wont kno what hit em

  Me: Meh so far they’re not impressed

  Me: Fine by me

  Zion: They r idiots then


  Zion: Where r u going

  Me: Dinner with Dad’s new boss and his son

  Zion: Fuck have fun wit dat

  Me: Thnx I’ll call when I get home

  Zion: k

  Me: U 2

  When I look up I catch Connor trying to read my texts out of the corner of his eye.

  “What me to send you a screenshot?” I sass quietly.

  “Yeah,” he drawls, “I really care about your conversations with one of your hood rat friends.”

  My vision goes red. Calling Z a hood rat is so fucking offensive I want to scream every obscenity known to man at him but I need to keep decorum. So I lean across the bench seat toward him, close enough to smell his undoubtably expensive aftershave, with a smile on my face.

  “Classist and racist.” I keep smiling. “Such wonderful breeding. I’m guessing you have a hefty dose of misogyny as well.”

  “Don’t worry about my breeding, peasant,” he snips back with a gentile smile.

  I scoot back against the window, confused as we pass straight through Founder’s Ridge. “Where are we going?”

  “To the helicopter pad.” Victor looks back at me. “We’re going into the city for dinner.”

  Oh great. My two biggest fears, flying and heights combined into one experience. Dad picks up on my distress.

  “It’ll be okay, Lil.” He squeezes my knee and chuckles when he sees my terrified expression. “She’s not of fan of heights. Or flying,” he explains to Victor.

  “Will this be your first time in a helicopter?” Victor asks.

  “Yes, sir,” I reply quietly.

  “It’s a short flight, only about an hour. I’m sure Connor can keep you distracted for the flight, right?” He directs a pointed look to Connor who just scowls.

  The SUV pulls right up right beside a sleek black helicopter with Volkov Industries logo on the side. Dad and Victor each get out and Connor follows next. I’m shocked when I get to the door and Connor is waiting with an outstretched hand to help me out. Our palms meet and a spark tingles up my arm. I can’t see his eyes behind his aviators so I have no idea if he was affected or not.

  A pilot is sitting in the front of the helicopter with a clipboard, poking buttons. Another pilot is standing beside the door. He offers his hand to help me up and I take one of the forward facing seats. Connor sits across from me, dad beside me, and Victor across from him. With his lips in a firm line Connor reaches across and buckles my lap belt. Then he pulls a shoulder belt across my chest and buckles it in place. He runs his hand under it to smooth it back up and his knuckles brush over my breasts. The soft contact hardens my nipples and sends goosebumps racing over my arms. He must notice because his lips tilt up into a smirk while he pulls two headsets off a hook and fiddles with them. He tosses one set in my lap, straps himself in, and puts his headset on.

  “They’re on a separate frequency from our dads’ headsets.” He points at his ear. “So we can talk freely.”

  “By freely you mean you can be a dick without worrying about either of them hearing you?” I busy myself looking out the window. Getting one last look at the safety of the ground before we’re thousands of feet up in the air in a tin can with blades.

  “Exactly,” he nods. “You’re smart for a peasant.”

  I start to snark back but we start take off. I grab the seat on either side of me with a white knuckle grip and focus on keeping my breathing even. I’m in a spiral of awful thoughts about how much crashing in this thing would hurt when I feel Connor stretch his leg out and press against mine. It’s subtle enough that it could be completely unintentional or it could be his way of grounding me without being outright kind. Either way it gives me something aside from my doomsday thoughts to focus on.

  While I’m trying to figure out Connor, I feel dad’s giant paw squeeze my knee comfortingly. I look over at him and he holds his thumb up asking if I’m okay. I nod and try to smile, although it’s honestly more of a grimace.

  Occasionally Connor will say something about what we’re flying over, pointing out landmarks and giving brief facts. He almost acts human but he never smiles. I wonder if he’s even capable, I didn’t even see him smile when I saw him with his friends. When we approach the city I momentarily forget how terrified I am and lose myself in the wonder of seeing NYC for the first time by helicopter. I look over at Connor and he seems completely unaffected, scrolling through his phone. I pull my phone out and take a few pictures of the skyline and send them to Z.

  My legs feel wobbly as dad and one of the pilots help me out. We landed on a rooftop so I stare at my feet, trying not to freak out and about the height. Connor stalks to a set of doors and walks through, while we follow.

  “This is Volkov Industries global headquarters.” Victor tells us. “It’s mainly offices but there are executive apartments for those of us who commute to NYC. Michael, you’ll have an apartment when you accompany me to the city. You also have an office down on the security floor. I’ll show those to you Tuesday. Tonight we’re going across town to a rooftop restaurant called Apex, great views of the city and the East River.”

  Connor chuckles as the elevator descends.

  Victor realizes why he’s laughing and looks at me apologetically. “I can get us in somewhere else if you would like to keep your feet on the ground. The city is full of great choices.”

  “No, no. It’s fine. I’ll be okay.”

  “Excellent.” Victor strides off the elevator and leads us through an opulent lobby. I do my best not to gawk but this place is fancy as fuck. White veined marble floors and walls, with soaring ceilings and hanging metal sculptures decorate the lobby. Waiting at the curb is another black SUV that we crawl back into. It takes about half an hour to get to the restaurant. Connor helps me out of the SUV again, holding onto my hand just a second longer than necessary. On the elevator he stands just close enough to brush against me which is completely unnecessary seeing as how there’s only five of us on the elevator.

  He exits first and leans over to speak with the hostess. She giggles at something he says and looks up at him with adoration. You could slap the heart eye emoji on her face and it’d be an accurate depiction of how she’s looking at him. She sends a sultry smile at Victor next.

  “Mr. Volkov your table is ready. She leads us through a dark, moody dining room and out onto a patio. Along one side of the seating area are outdoor couches with fire pit tables. The wall running the length of the patio has ivy growing thickly up it. I stop abruptly when she leads us to a corner table, the walls surrounding it are glass. I look up at Connor and see his amused smirk. This is what he was talking to the hostess about.

  Devious prick.

  I meet his smirk with a sweet smile of my own. I raise my chin and take the offered seat, right next to the glass. He sits across from me again and, while our fathers discuss business and politics, we stare each other down. His cold green eyes against my angry blue. The server comes and interrupts our stare down.

  “I’m Mark and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.” He looks around the table and his eyes land on me, twinkling with delight. “And you three gentlemen must be the luckiest men in Manhattan to be dining with this stunning woman.” My face and chest flush because, of course, with my ivory skin my whole body blushes when I’m embarrassed. I smile and glance away, noticing a scowl on Connor’s face directed at someone else for a change. Mark takes our drink orders and leaves the table.

  Connor sips his water and then leans over the table toward me. “What do you think of the view?”

  “It’s great. I’m glad they gave us such a lovely table.”

  “Did you know buildings this tall are built to sway in the wind. Sometimes if you close your eyes you feel them moving beneath your feet.”

  “I did know that,” I smirk back at him. “I’m from Chicago, we do have a few tall buildings, you know.”

  Victor pulls us into the conversation he’s having with dad. “Connor will be attending Harvard or Yale
next year. What are your plans, Lilith?”

  “Well, before moving here I was planning on Northwestern but that might be different now.”

  “Oh, how so? Northwestern is a good school.”

  “My best friend is being scouted for some big D1 schools. He’s a basketball player, Duke and UNC have shown interest. I might try to get accepted to one of those schools.”

  “Zion is a giant, six foot seven with a seven foot wingspan. He’s killed it on the court since they were kids,” Dad says proudly. “They’ve been inseparable since their first day of kindergarten.”

  “So he’s a friend or a boyfriend?” Victor inquires.

  “Just a friend. Lil hasn’t had many boyfriends.” He laughs. “Probably because between her giant athletic best friend and me,” he points to himself, “no one’s brave enough to try anything. One reason I’m fine with her going wherever Z goes to school. They’ll keep each other out of trouble.”

  “What are you thinking about majoring in?” Connor asks.

  “Public policy and prelaw.”

  “Just what the world needs, another attorney,” Connor quips.

  “How about you?” I shoot back at him.

  “I’ll get my MBA and take over the family business,” he states dispassionately.

  “Another dime a dozen businessman.” I snark back at him before realizing that I probably just insulted Victor. I look over at our dads quickly to apologize. “Victor, I’m sorry.”

  He smiles warmly at me. “Never apologize for giving my son his sass right back.” He looks back and forth between us with a calculating gleam in his eyes. “I think it’s going to be an interesting year.”

  5

  Lilith

  I’m standing in my closet looking back and forth between my uniforms and the pamphlet describing acceptable combinations. At first I was happy to see that I had options and it wouldn’t be the same thing everyday but now I’m overwhelmed. I settle on the blue tartan skirt with the solid blue tie and black jacket, at least all the shirts are white. I pick up the high-heeled shoes and double check to make sure I can skip the stockings since it’s warm.