The Gilded Chain

He stormed into the Winter Garden and despite the fact that it was actually a hothouse for flowers, the room was full of a winter chill. Callie was standing off to one corner, biting her bottom lip as Hayden and Fe

“Yes, this will have to be remodeled of course,” his mother was saying to Corrine.

“I agree.” Corrine’s cold gaze swept across the room, then hit him. “Wes!” She rose and started toward him. He didn’t even look her way. His legs ate up the ground as he brushed right past her to reach Callie.

Her lips parted in surprise as he grasped her face in his hands and kissed her. He did it thoroughly, letting himself go as he embraced her fully. It didn’t matter how many people were here watching him. Callie belonged to him and he didn’t want Corrine thinking she could slither her way in between them. Callie’s hands dug into his arms as her tongue shyly touched his, and only when she fully melted for him did he let her go. She wavered on her feet and he turned around to face everyone.

“Mother, what are you doing here?” He didn’t bother with the pretense of civilities. There was no point. On more than one occasion, he’d made it quite clear that his parents weren’t welcome at his house.

“Now, wait a minute.” His father was on his feet in an instant, blustering, his face ruddy with his displeasure.

“Father, I’m in no mood for you today. Take mother, Corrine, and yourself and get out of my house.” His tone was tipped with icy venom, but he held Callie against him, absorbing the faint trembling of her body.

Corrine’s eyes, so deadly wild, were the opposite of her cool, collected face.

“Mrs. Thorne, we should leave,” Corrine said in a soothing, silky tone, but her eyes were murderous, not at him but at Callie.

I warned you, Corrine. He wanted to say it out loud, but now was not the time. That woman would be leaving. She knew where he stood now, or more accurately who he stood with. The room remained as silent as a tomb while his parents and Corrine left. Only when the door to the Winter Garden had closed behind him did he let out a slow breath.

“What the hell, Wes?” Fe

“I’m sorry you witnessed that,” Wes replied. “They knew they weren’t welcome.”

What bothered him was why they had come, and why with Corrine? He knew his mother thought Corrine was a perfect wife for him, but he’d rather die than shackle himself to her. How he had ever been attracted to her in the first place was a mystery.

“I’m just glad they’re gone,” Callie said. “I didn’t like them. No offense, Wes,” she said quietly, as though disturbed she’d spoken openly against his family. Her eyes were dark with concern and her brows knit with faint worry lines. He cupped her face and leaned down to kiss away her tears.

“No one likes them,” he assured her. “Least of all me.”

She relaxed at his reassurance and without a word tucked herself into his arms. He held her a long moment, enjoying the simple co

When they broke apart he realized their audience was watching with no small amount of curiosity and astonishment. Hayden looked amused, her eyes twinkling and her mouth twisting into a secretive smile. Fe

“I want a word with you,” Fe

“Very well.” Wes patted Callie’s back before he released her and then followed his friend as they departed the room. The second they were outside, Fe

“What the hell are you doing?” Fe

Wes’s head collided with the wood-paneled walls and little black dots spotted his vision for a few seconds.

“What are you talking about?” He shoved at Fe

“Callie. Are you sleeping with her?”

Wes’s own anger boiled to the surface. “If I am, it’s not your concern.”

“Like hell it isn’t!” Fe

Wes used Fe

“You broke her heart, Fe

“She isn’t yours!” Fe

“She came to me and wanted me. I wanted her. We’ve been happy together.” He never thought he’d say that about any relationship with a woman, but he was happy.

“How long?” Fe

Not enough? A ruby veil seemed to descend in front of his eyes and he tackled the other man. They crashed to the ground, knocking a vase off a nearby end table. The cacophony of noises that followed barely intruded on Wes and Fe

A booming voice cut through the din and hands grabbed him, throwing him off Fe

It took a few seconds for Wes to find himself again through the rage. Royce stood there, feet braced apart, his body an obstacle between them. In the garden doorway, Hayden and Callie stood there, gaping.

“What the fuck, guys?” Royce snapped as he glowered between Wes and Fe

Wes got to his feet, but stumbled and threw out a hand to catch himself against the wall as his vision cartwheeled. One too many blows to the head, he guessed. Dragging the back of his hand across his mouth, it came away streaked with blood from a split lip. If he hadn’t been so mad, he might have laughed. He and Fe

Hayden helped Fe

“We’re not done with this discussion, Thorne,” Fe

“You’re done.” Royce faced him, but his tone was low and cold. It was a dangerous side of Royce, one rarely seen. “Whatever is between you, deal with it. We’ve been through too much to put up with any more of this bullshit.” Royce fixed them both with a stare before he gestured to Fe

Wes didn’t linger. He needed to cool off and get away from Fe

An old leather sofa against one wall called his name. With a groan he eased onto the couch and wiped at his split lip again. The bitter taste of his blood made him wince, more from the acrid taste than the pain. The fight had been a mistake—he’d be the first to admit it—if necessary, but every time Fe

“Can I come in?” She raised a small medical box.

Wes almost gri

“Please.” He waved her inside and placed a hand on the couch beside him. Her eyes flicked to the spot and a delicate blush bloomed on her cheeks. His breath caught as he panicked, thinking she’d deny the little command he’d issued. She’d become so perfectly submissive in bed, freeing herself with him, but he hadn’t pushed her.

When she took that first step toward him, he exhaled in relief. Closing the study doors, she joined him on the couch and then unclasped the latch on the first-aid kit. A little grin suddenly curved her lips.