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

by Nichole Greene

  She crawls onto my lap and puts her hands on the side of my face. We’re both trying to hold back giggles when she presses her lips to mine. Kissing another girl is so odd, her lips are warm, soft, and full but small. When I smile against her lips her tongue slides into my mouth. We pull apart when we hear a loud groan from Levi.

  Ivy snuggles on my lap and looks around the room. “Connor, truth or dare?”

  “Truth.”

  “What was the first thing you thought when you met Lilith?”

  “I thought she was feisty as fuck and had amazing tits. I stand by that observation.”

  “Peasant,” Connor stares me down. “Truth or dare?”

  “Truth.” I don’t trust these guys and their dares.

  “Do you feel safe with me?” Connor asks with no expression on his face.

  I have to think about it for a few minutes. I felt safe today when he and Griff saved me from Ferguson. Other than that I don’t think I’ve ever felt safe in his presence. I decide to go with brutal honesty.

  “No.”

  Our gazes stayed locked on each other, both battling for the other’s truth. He wants my submission. I want his capitulation. Neither of us will win but both of us may fall.

  He nods with his signature stony glare. “I’m going to bed.” Then he walks out of the room.

  Ivy is still perched in my lap and we share a puzzled look.

  Griffin looks at me with a raised eyebrow as he follows Connor out the door.

  “Let’s go Ives.” Levi holds out a hand for her. “You’re my ride home tonight.”

  “Are you okay being alone tonight?” Ivy gives me a concerned look.

  “I’m fine. My dad is home anyway.” I give her a hug.

  Levi wraps his arms around both of us. “My favorite girls,” he pretend weeps then presses a kiss to my head. “Seriously, though, hood rat. I’ll have my guys watching your back from here on out.”

  “Gonna keep me safe from Connor, too?” I joke.

  “Eh,” he grimaces, “I’m not sure I have to worry about what Connor is going to do to you. Your dad probably should though. He’s gonna try to punch that V card.”

  Ivy smacks him in the stomach. “Shut up. Let’s go. I’ll pick you up tomorrow to come get ready at my house.”

  “Our house, Ives.” Levi corrects.

  11

  Connor

  I have Lilith bent over my bed with her uniform skirt pushed up around her waist and panties tangled on her ankles. She’s moaning my name and begging to come as I thrust my cock in and out of her perfect little pussy. I feel the first tremble of her walls as she starts to come-“

  I throw my phone across the room as it interrupts one of the best dreams I’ve had in years. Fuck, my dick is so hard it hurts. I close my eyes as I wrap my hand around my cock and begin to stroke it. I think about how her skin flushed and her pulse picked up last night when I talked about what she’s been doing to me. I wasn’t lying when I told her I’ve come harder than ever before thinking about her. I’m not by any means a cherry picker but hearing that she’s still a virgin makes her that much more desirable. I finish with an unsatisfying and hollow orgasm, happy birthday to me. I clean myself off and roll out of bed.

  I pick my phone up from where it ricocheted off the wall and see I missed a text last night.

  Peasant: I lied. I do feel safe with you. I’m just not sure I should.

  I’ll be damned if I can stop the smile from creeping across my face. A pleased warmth expands in my chest reading that text. I try several times to come up with something to reply with but can’t find the words. If I’m being completely honest, she’s safe from me but in some ways being close to me puts an even bigger target on her back, not just at school but from dad’s competitors too.

  I overheard him and Michael speaking about security concerns last night and the death threats against my father have ramped up considerably. Volkov Industries did not always focus on green energy. In fact, my father was the first to branch out from oil by investing in some of the earliest wind turbines in Europe and North America. Our family also has assets in the West Siberia Oil Fields that we’re just sitting on right now. So basically everyone in the energy industries hates us. My dad doesn’t give a fuck, nor do I, but it does paint a big ass target on our backs. I don’t want that bleeding over to anyone else in my life.

  Coming down the back staircase I hear feminine voices carrying. For a split second I think maybe it’s mom and Claire but when I walk through the door I see Delores and Peasant working together on my traditional birthday breakfast. They’re turned away from me so I watch from the door while Delores guides Peasant through the recipe for french toast.

  Peasant has another one of those tiny pairs of shorts on with a work out tank with a slit in the back. When she reaches across the counter for something I catch sight of a bruise on her back. I’m behind her in two strides lifting the back of her shirt to check her over. She spins as soon as she feels my hand on her back.

  “What are you doing?” Her bright blue eyes are wide.

  “Checking your bruising.” I try to step around her to get to her back but she side steps me again.

  “I’m fine.” She locks eyes with me and then glances at Delores like she doesn’t want to have this conversation in front of her.

  I don’t have the patience for this so I wrap my arms around Delores and give her a squeeze before telling her good morning. Then I grab Peasant around the thighs and throw her over my shoulder. “We’ll be right back Delores,” I say as I carry Peasant down the hall to the library. I give her ass a good smack while I’m at it, just to really annoy her.

  “What are you doing?” She squeaks while she tries to wiggle out of my grasp. “Put me fucking down, Connor.”

  “Let me check your bruises.” I set her down and pull her shirt over her head.

  “Connor!” She holds crosses her arms over her chest even though I’ve seen her in less than a sports bra. “Jesus, Neanderthal, calm down.”

  “Turn around.”

  “No.”

  Great. We’re doing this again. I give her the glare that makes everyone immediately follow my orders. Everyone except Lilith fucking Nelson that is. She just levels me with an unimpressed stare and raised eyebrow.

  “Please turn around so I can see the bruising on your back.”

  “See Junior,” a pleased grin takes over her face as she spins around, “was it that hard to ask politely?”

  “Yes.” I don’t ask, I command. What the fuck is she doing to me?

  Her lower back has an angry bluish purple bruise but her skin is so soft under my fingertips. I kneel down and run my fingers along the bruising on her legs. I fight the red haze that threatens to overtake me when I see the outline of fingerprints shading her ankles in a faint bruise. I grip her hips in my hands and press a light kiss to the bruise on the side of her thigh.

  There are two sides of me battling internally right now. I want to drive to Ferguson’s house, pull him out of bed and beat the shit out him. I want to shatter his leg and his arm so he can never play lacrosse again. I want to ruin his dad’s tech startup.

  Then there’s the nurturer in me that wants to sweep her up in my arms and carry her to my room. Lock her away so no one can ever hurt her again. Kiss her until she heals and loses herself to me, until she realizes she’s mine.

  “Happy birthday, Con,” she says as I stand up. Damn if my nickname through her lips isn’t music to my ears.

  “Thanks.” I drop my hands from her hips, even though they fit perfectly together. “I’m sorry.”

  “You didn’t do it.”

  “I might as well have.” I look down at her. “I gave the orders for everyone to treat you like shit.”

  “True. I guess I owe you a knee to the balls.”

  “Maybe,” I smirk. “But it’s my birthday.”

  “There’s always tomorrow.” She picks up the shirt I ripped off her and puts it back on. “I need to go finis
h helping Delores.”

  I watch her walk away before following her, that perfect ass swaying more than usual. She definitely knows I’m checking her out.

  Michael and Victor are sipping coffee at the island when we come back in. I watch the concern flash through Michael’s eyes when he notices the bruises on his daughter.

  “Lil,” he says calmly. “What happened to your legs?”

  “I fell on the stairs at school,” she says with her back turned to him. “Connor saw the whole embarrassing fiasco.” Her eyes plead with mine to confirm the story.

  “Sure did. For someone so athletic she sure is clumsy,” I deadpan.

  Michael doesn’t say anything to either of us, just makes a disbelieving humming sound before continuing his conversation with Victor. They’ve become friends quickly. It’s like some gross insta bromance for middle age men.

  Victor slides a small gift box across the island to me. “Happy birthday, son.”

  I look at it for a minute, trying to decide how big of a prick I should be. If Peasant wasn’t here I’d throw it back in my father’s face but she already thinks I’m a rich douchebag so I pick it up. I tear the paper open to find a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch waiting for me along with a piece of paper. The watch is nice and I actually do like it, if only it weren’t tainted by coming from Victor. I unfold the paper and can’t believe my eyes. It’s the title to the Bugatti. With my name on it. Victor is giving me the Bugatti.

  I look up at him and see him smiling at me. He tosses the keys to me. “You’re welcome. It was always going to be yours.” I catch the keys and wrap my hand around Peasant’s wrist.

  “Come on.” I pull her out of the kitchen.

  “What about breakfast?” She asks, pulling her arm away from mine.

  “Delores will keep it warm, right?” I look over my shoulder.

  “Sure will, hun.” She shoos us away. “Have fun!”

  “Where are we going?” She shakes her arm. “Quit manhandling me.”

  “We’re going for a ride in my new car.”

  “New car and a new watch?” She grabs my wrist this time. “How much did this cost? Ten grand?”

  The honest answer to that question would be closer to forty grand but I’m definitely not telling her that. She’d probably die if she knew how much the car costs. I link my fingers with hers and keep walking in the direction of the garage. When we get to the garage I hear her gasp.

  “Jesus. How many cars do you rich assholes need?” Her eyes are huge looking at our collection of vehicles.

  We have a ten car garage and every spot is occupied. “I just need one.” I say as I lead her over to the black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. I was planning on sneaking out tonight in this car and racing it. I open the door for Peasant and she fucking rolls her eyes at me like the brat that she is. I run around the front and jump in the driver’s seat where I caress the leather and adjust the seat.

  “This is fancy,” Peasant says. “You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?”

  “Hell fucking yes I am.” I allow her to see my genuine smile for the second time this week. “This car is better than a wet dream.”

  Except the one I had about you this morning.

  I gun it down the driveway after pulling out of the garage. I manage to keep myself to a respectable speed until I hit the highway. Then all bets are off and I floor it. I look over at Peasant and see her smiling like she’s enjoying this just as much as I am.

  When we get back from our joyride, I eat breakfast with Peasant and our dads. Michael and Victor talk business mostly but also discuss golfing tomorrow. Like I said, the bromance is strong between these two. I decline their invitation to join them as does Peasant. I excuse myself to go upstairs and get ready for the afternoon with Lev and Griff.

  After I’ve showered and gotten dressed, I grab my phone. I scroll to Margaux’s contact information. My thumb hovers over her name as I war with myself over whether to call her off Lilith or not. Maybe I just need to fuck her a few times to get her out of my system and then I can re-engage in the original plan to run her out of town. I work on convincing myself of that lie, like I can work her out of my system.

  At the very least, changing my mind is going to piss off Margaux so it’ll be satisfying in that sense.

  Me: Call off the plan to get rid of Lilith

  Margaux: No

  Margaux: Since when do you use her actual name?

  Me: What do you mean no? Fall in line.

  Margaux: Ha! Go to hell. She’s got to go.

  Me: I’ll take her under Titan protection

  Margaux: Your influence is slipping. I have a big surprise for you tonight.

  I don’t want to give her any more attention so I grab what I’ll need for tonight and head for Griffin’s house. If anyone will have a clue what she’s talking about it’ll be him. If he doesn’t know, he can find out. He is to information what the devil is to sin.

  12

  Lilith

  It would be an understatement to say that the size of the homes my new peers live in would have been unimaginable to me a month ago. I knew coming here I would experience massive culture shock. Walking into the mansion that Ivy and Levi live in, I’m once again gobsmacked by the magnitude.

  Their house is much more contemporary than the Volkov estate. Everything is white, gray, or black with lots of glass and open areas. Ivy meets me in the foyer and gives me a tour. The mansion only has two wings so in that respect it’s more modest than the Volkovs’ home. In every other way though, it’s just as opulent. The kitchen is huge, the amenities are similar, and the bedrooms each have their own attached living rooms.

  Ivy’s rooms are decorated in dove gray and white with pale pink accents and mirrored furniture. Her closet and bathroom have matching crystal chandeliers and are each individually larger than my entire bathroom and bedroom combined.

  I can’t help but think of my friends’ houses back home. The disparity is about as subtle as the flashing lights of Las Vegas Boulevard.

  “What’s going through that head of yours, Lil?” Ivy asks holding up two dresses to her body in front of a mirror.

  “Just thinking about how much different my life is here versus back at home. Your closet is bigger than half my friends’ apartments.”

  “Yeah,” she looks around the room pensively. “Believe it or not, it took me some time to adjust too. I grew up in a big house in the suburbs of Connecticut but my childhood home looks like a cardboard box compared to this place.”

  “I’m trying not to judge but,” I trail off. “It’s crazy though.”

  “What was your life like back in Chicago?” She turns and holds up the dresses. “And which one do you think I should wear tonight?”

  “The purple one,” I point at the dress in her left hand. “It’ll look great with your eyes. As far as my life in Chicago, I lived in a two bedroom brick single story bungalow with my dad. We had a big front porch and chain link fence around the front of the yard. Zion lived a block over and in an identical house with his mom and younger sister. Our elementary and middle school didn’t even have air conditioning. Every school I’ve ever attended has metal detectors at all the doors and armed security.” I blow out a breath. “So basically the exact opposite of everything here.”

  She sits down beside me with a serious look on her face. “Is it as bad as the media portrays there?”

  “Yes and no. I’ve lost close friends to gun and gang violence, it’s a very real problem. But, our block was tight knit. We all kept an eye out for each other, knew who was coming and going. There wasn’t a lot of trust in the police but we all had each other’s backs, like a family. I could go back and know that any one of my neighbors would let me crash with them, no questions asked.”

  “That’s good.”

  There’s a heavy silence hanging in her designer closet.

  “Now you have moi and live in a billionaires enclave full of filthy rich hot guys. Let’s get you ready. I want to tor
ment Connor tonight, he’s clearly into you.”

  I’m about to argue but I’m beginning to think that maybe he actual does have feelings for me. Beyond the general loathing and apathy he’s shown before. My stomach got all fluttery this morning when he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the garage. He was so adorable and excited and happy. That fucking real smile and those damn dimples. One thing I know for sure I can never let him know what they do to me. He’d have me as pliable as play doh.

  “Earth to Lilith.” Ivy waves a hand in my face. “Where did you go?”

  “Just spaced out for a minute.” I look up and see her holding out two dresses for me to look at. “I’m not wearing a dress. My legs are covered in bruises. Why I can’t wear this?” I point down at my skinny jeans, tank top, and sneakers.

  “I guess you can wear the clothes but we have to change the shoes. I’m not letting you wear sneakers to this party.” She wags a finger in my face before turning to her shoe rack. “What size are you?”

  “I wear a seven or seven and a half usually.”

  “Perfect! Me too. We’re meant to be, you and me.” She pulls out a pair of open toed ankle boots. “Try these on. I’ll grab some jewelry.”

  For the next hour Ivy does my hair and make-up, tries to accessorize me but I shoot everything down except for some dangly earrings. She’s pulled my hair up into a wavy, sexy high ponytail. She used some crazy professional contouring kit to make my cheek bones look more prominent and handed me a tube of cherry red lipstick. I’m normally not a lipstick girl, I play up my eyes more than my lips but she insisted I try it and she was right.

  “Lil, you look smoking hot,” she says while we look at ourselves in her bathroom mirror.

  “So do you.” I realize that aside from passing comments about hot guys and a brief flirtation I’ve never heard her talk about anyone in particular. “Anyone you’re gunning for tonight?”

  She hesitates and glances to her bedroom door before answering, “No one important.” Her voice has a wistful tone to it that makes me question what she’s said but I don’t press.