Shackled Hearts (Chained Hearts Duet 4)

Whatever! I look away from her and glance at the television. Something is playing, but I’m not really paying much attention to it.

“Keir is going to punish him, just so you are aware.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Keir has let him get away with a lot lately. But lying about his father, knowing full well that he stole from him? I’m amazed Lucas doesn’t have a bullet in his skull already.”

“He would actually do that? Kill his cousin?”

“He killed my brother.”

I gasp at her words. “No,” I say, shaking my head. “Why?”

“Keir hardly ever gives second chances,” is all she replies.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her, but she merely shrugs.

“It was silly of him to think, even for a second, he could get away with what he did.” I don’t push her for more, but she continues anyway, “He slept with Keir’s fiancée.”

My eyes go wide, thinking of Sailor.

“Not Sailor. Keir was arranged to be married, and it turns out Roberto, that was my brother’s name, was in love with her. That meant Keir had to choose Roberto or Sailor. He chose her. He will always choose her.”

I knew that. You can spot their love a mile away. The way he looks at her, it’s like he is fascinated with every small movement she makes as if her breathing alone makes him happy.

“I’m so sorry.”

“He was closer to my brother than Lucas. I just wanted you to know that.” She steps back out the door and closes it with a quiet click as she goes.

What does that mean?

Is this going to be the last time I see Lucas?

But Keir let Lucas stay in his house with his family. And even me.

Fuck. Is he going to kill me as well?

If he can kill his own cousin, what does that mean for me?

“Why do you look like that?” I turn, surprised I didn’t hear the door open. Lucas enters with a plate of food and places it on my lap.

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to work something out in your head.”

I’m not sure if I should say it, so I bite my cheek while considering my options.

I probably shouldn’t.

But the words fall out anyway.

“Do you think Keir will kill you?” I ask in almost a whisper.

Lucas strides to the window. He’s quiet for a bit, in some sort of thoughtful trance. I study his still form and remember all the ways that body pleasured mine, about how good he makes me feel with each one of his touches. But on the inside, he is evil. We all know it. Except when I see those glimpses of him, the ones that make me want to stick around. The ones that make me think, could this work?

I know better, though.

It would never work.