Page 3 of Break Me Gently

I closed my notebook.

I’d moved on.

Chapter 2

Zach

“Oh, I’m sorry darling, but this is a busy time for me. Perhaps if you came over for a couple of days on, say, the twenty-eighth?”

Her saccharine tone made my stomach turn.

The birth mother who’d signed my rights away had no time for me on Christmas. I laughed. The sound was caustic to my own ears.

“Only two days?” I asked. “So you can get back to partying for the new year?”

“It’s simply business, darling. These social events keep me relevant and my brand alive.”

“Fuck you, mother,” I said, and hung up.

What had I been thinking, calling her? I don’t know how my dad lasted so long with her.

I sighed, head slumping down. I did know. He stayed for me.

This left me with two options: drive to Isabella’s house or find a nearby hotel. I slammed my fist on the steering wheel, then took a deep breath, ignoring the pain blooming across my knuckles.

Hotel first. Then Christmas at Isabella’s.

After all, part of that house was my dad’s.

❧ ❧ ❧

I parked my car on the street since there were three cars in the driveway. The luxury SUV stopped me in my tracks. The twin turbo-charged four-litre V8 engine was highly regarded in the Aston Martin DBX707.

I peered in at the interior, and it was as impressive as the dark forest green on the outside. Even with my access to my trust fund, I couldn’t afford a 200k-plus vehicle like this.

The icy wind cut across my face, cold enough that I wanted to rub my nose raw. I pushed my backpack strap back into place and strode towards the front door, wondering how Isabella had managed to land a vehicle like that.

I pressed the doorbell and waited.

The door opened and my speech withered and died on the spot.

“Who the fuck are you?”

The man was tall, and I was a little over six feet myself, but he didn’t carry the muscle mass I did.

“Luke Newbury,” he said smoothly, leaning on the wooden door frame. “And you must be Zachary Rayne.”

“Whatever,” I muttered, moving forward, but he blocked my path.

His fingers curled around my coat, and he stepped close.

“My girlfriend has worked exceedingly hard to make this a special day, Zach, so be mindful of your manners once you step inside this home.”

My eyes widened. The old man was a fucking psycho.

“Oh my god, Zach,” Isabella cried, and rushed forward.

The prick released me immediately and stepped out of the way.