Beyond Broken (The Bay Boys #3) Read Free

haven’t threatened that before.”
    Maddie watched the two men square off, although her eyes mostly lingered on Caleb.   He and Brian knew each other quite well, that much was clear.   And there was mutual respect there, despite the volley of insults being lobbed back and forth.
    Maddie was tense as something unspoken seemed to pass between the two of them.   Eventually, Caleb’s furious gaze swung to her and she barely refrained from gasping at the hate she saw there.   No, this man was very different from the one she’d known.   The teenage boy she’d loved had never been this icy, this cold.
    “Get in the truck,” he told her through gritted teeth, jerking his head at something behind her.   She stood frozen as he turned and made his way over to a small tin box on the work bench.   She watched as he pulled out a set of keys and then stalked back.   His eyes narrowed on her.   “ Now .”
    She jumped and then spun on her heel, shock propelling her into motion.   Then his words started to penetrate her hazy mind and indignation rose sharply in her chest.   Nobody had ever spoken to her like that before and she didn’t like it.   Not one bit.
    “You could say ‘please,’ you know,” she informed him as she marched over to the tow truck parked on the far side of the lot.   Her heels clicked loudly on the pavement as she hurried to keep up with him.
    He didn’t even look at her.   “Princess, you really don’t wanna fuck with me right now.”
    Maddie tried not to be upset with him, but it was difficult.   She already felt responsible for tonight’s drama.   If her car hadn’t broken down, he wouldn’t have been bothered.
    Still, it didn’t stop her from snapping, “Language.”   She didn’t know what came over her.   Usually, she didn’t even have a temper.   She was mild-mannered.   But she hated the way he was treating her…as though she was nothing more than an inconvenience.
    Caleb stopped so suddenly that she ran into his back.   Before her mind could register the hard muscles she encountered there, he whirled on her, as quickly as a snake ready to strike.   Even though he was grinning, it was more like a barring of his teeth.   He looked like the devil, surprisingly seductive, yet hellbent on devouring her in one piece.
    “I don’t have to help you, you know.   In fact, I’d be happier if I didn’t have to haul your car back here and deal with your problems.   I meant what I said.   I don’t need this right now.   I have other issues to deal with that are more important.   So if you want to call another towing company, then by all means, go ahead.   You can even use my phone, if it means you’ll get out of my sight faster.”   His voice was soft as his words washed over her.   There was no mistaking that lethal tone.   He was like a panther, silently prowling, waiting to strike.
    Maddie wouldn’t give him the chance.   His eyes gazed down at her, even darker in the night.   Something about him had always called out to her.   And Maddie knew that she couldn’t rise to his taunt because he looked like he was itching for a fight, like he would relish it.   In a calm tone, she murmured, “I’m sorry.   I’m sorry for the trouble I’m causing.   I just…I just want to get home.   It’s been a rough night.   I’d be grateful for your help.”
    Maddie stared up at him, not daring to look away.   His eyes flickered with an emotion she couldn’t place, but as soon as it appeared it was gone.   Caleb turned and resumed walking towards the truck and Maddie silently followed.
    She braced herself for a long ride.

TWO

    For the hundredth time tonight, Caleb wondered why the fuck he was driving this princess around and they’d only just turned out of the parking lot.
    “Where’s your car?” he grunted, not looking in her direction.
    The woman hesitated, but only for a moment, before pointing left.   “It’s down that road.   Not far