Locked Hearts (Chained Hearts Duet 2)

“Paige has met her already and approves of you being around her?”

Her words shock me.

What the hell does that mean?

“Paige, as in…” Do I say the bitch who tried to kill me?

“Yes, her,” Keir says, avoiding eye contact with me.

Then, without caring, I ask, “Why the hell would she care what you do with me?”

“Oh, come on, dear, you didn’t really think you would end up as a happy family with my son here, did you? He is a boss, after all. And what are you?” Her left brow raises, and I can see why Keir is such an asshole because his mother is a raging bitch.

“Answer me, Keir.” I don’t look at his mother as I address him.

That woman, I can deal with later. It’s her son I have an issue with right now.

“Because I’m to be married to her. You know this.”

I shake my head. “Even after?” Surely not. That bitch tried to kill me, and he threatened her because of it.

“The contract still stands,” he states unemotionally.

“Don’t lie. You’re a powerful man, as your mother so kindly put it. You could break it off if you wanted to.”

“I’m not discussing any more of this here with you now.”

“That’s fine. Give me my daughter and we’ll leave.” I hold my hands out to take Wren, who wiggles to get to me. At first, my heart jumps a beat thinking he may not pass her to me, but he eventually does.

“Stay. At least come in for a drink,” Keir says.

I should deny, I want to leave. But I’m not here for me, I’m here for Wren.

I turn to face his mother. “I would love a drink.”

The old bag doesn’t smile or even attempt to move until Keir walks in, then she follows. I hold Wren close to me as we head inside.

I can see where he gets his taste in décor—everything is so dark and expensive. The couch is a dark gray and is in an L shape. The dining room table isn’t as big as Keir’s, but it’s still impressive. It seats six people and has large wooden legs with black velvet chairs, and it backs up to a large, white kitchen. Keir pulls out a seat at the table for me and then does the same for himself. His mother sits opposite us with a drink tray already on the table.

“So, how’s life?” I ask her, smiling. It’s fake, as fake as this relationship is right now. Non-existent. But I am trying because that’s the right thing to do, right?

“Bit of attitude, I see. This must be why my son was attracted to you.” His mother picks up a small piece of cake and bites into it, so I do the same thing.

“No, actually… he kidnapped me. Did he not tell you?” I look at Keir, who’s watching me.

His mother’s dark eyes flick to him, then back to me. “No, he did not.”

“Figured as much.” I shrug. “Knocked me up as well. After he told me he never wanted to see me again, that is.”

“I didn’t know,” Keir interjects.

I wave him off. “Doesn’t matter if you knew. You said you didn’t want girls. Only boys to carry on the line.”

“Boys do come in handy.”

“Girls are just as important and are just as fierce, dominating, and headstrong. You name it, what a boy can do a girl can do too.”

“But they shouldn’t, and they can’t,” his mother jumps in.

I ignore her and focus on Keir. “You think a girl can’t be you?” I ask him.

“No.”

“I bet you I could be you.” I straighten my spine. He shakes his head, brushing me off. “I bet I could be you,” I repeat.

“You can’t. No one can. It’s why I am who I am.” His mother reaches over the table and grabs his hand. “But I won't lie to you, I think if any woman had a chance it would be you. You are feisty.”

“Better than your papa, that’s for sure,” his mother adds.

“You couldn’t kill if you had to,” he snaps.

“Sure,” I bite back.

“I shot your friend. Did I tell you that?” I stare at him, confused. “What was his name… Harry? No, Henry.”

Well damn! If I wasn’t holding Wren, I would get up and move away. But I remain seated right next to him. “Was going to kill him but chose to shoot him in his hand instead. I think he got taught a valuable lesson.”

I’m angry now.

How dare he do something like that.

Henry was always so kind to me.

Dammit! Even being my friend was enough to get him in trouble.

“And what’s that?”

“To not perve on what’s mine.”

“He never—”

Keir interrupts with his hand and then pulls his phone from his pocket and brings up pictures showing Henry hiding behind a garden bush in front of my house, holding his camera up to my window.