Shackled Hearts (Chained Hearts Duet 4)

She’s really pushing me. I never was his favorite, even if he gave me more leeway than the rest. Joey is more responsible, therefore he will be Keir’s preferred choice always.

“Fuck off, Piper.” I don’t want to hear anymore smack talk from her, so I walk out the door to find Sergio waiting for me.

“Time to get fucking drunk,” I tell him. He nods, and we get in the car. Straight away, I can tell he wants to ask me something, so I grunt out, “What is it? Just ask already.”

“What happened? Where is Chanel? Did you kill her?” He looks over his shoulder at the house. “And why aren’t you dead for lying to him?”

“I’m never allowed to see her again. So if Chanel comes to our place, get rid of her.”

Sergio’s eyes go wide. “If she wants something, she always finds a way. You know this.”

I do, and I remember it all too clearly—her up on the table with someone else—and it makes my blood boil.

“Maybe you need to get under someone to get over someone.”

“You been reading those self-help books again?” I ask.

“They help. You should give them a go.”

“That’s a no.” I shake my head.

“The wife has cooked up a feast. Want to eat and drink at mine?”

How Sergio has a normal life outside of what we do is beyond me, but he’s been with the same woman since high school. He’s only had one kid and has always been content with just her. I’ve always wondered how a man can do that when there are so many fish in the sea.

That was until I met her.

She is everything.

I wonder if I’ll find someone like her again?

Someone who smells like her.

I have a feeling that may be hard to find, though.

“What do you say? You know the spare bedroom is there for when you pass out.”

“Just drop me at my mother’s,” I reply, and he nods.

We ride in silence, and I say nothing when I get out of the car. With quick steps, I walk into the house and spot my mother on the couch eating ice cream and watching some sappy soap opera she likes.

“Well, this is a nice surprise.” Mom taps the seat next to her, and I sit beside her.

“I have to tell you something.”

“I already know, honey,” she replies. But does she? “Joey called.” I take a deep breath at her words. Thank fuck he did because it’s not a conversation I really want to have with her. “Here, have some ice cream. It always cheers me up.” Mom places the bowl in my lap and lifts her hand to stroke my hair. “How is that nice girl of yours? Chanel, wasn’t it?”

“You’ll never see her again either.”

“Well, that is a shame. You really took a liking to that one.”

How right she is.

More than she will ever know.

Chapter Ten

Chanel