Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“It sounds like Connie did enough to plant the seeds of curiosity in Maya’s mind.”

“She did more than that. She manipulated my fucking eleven-year-old.”

“Pierce, I think that maybe we should look at the bigger picture here. You, the children, Connie, it’s already a challenging situation. Adding me to the equation is only going to—”

“Don’t finish that sentence. I swear to God, Darby, don’t try and use this as another reason to convince yourself that we can’t work.”

“But don’t you see the problem?”

“The problem is Connie, not you or me. For some crazy reason, she can’t get it out of her head that I’m not hers. Out of respect and simplicity, I’ve never flaunted my personal life in her face, even though I’ve had plenty of women over the years.”

My stomach lurches, and I flinch at the mention of his sex life. He explained to me about his and Miller’s frequent trips out of town and his discretion when meeting local women, but it still makes me ill. I have no right to feel this way. “Let’s not talk about that,” I whisper.

“Baby, I didn’t say that to make you sad. I’m saying it because there’s never been anyone in my life. She knows I’m not celibate, but she hasn’t ever been faced with seeing me with anyone. She took note of that and kept holding on, using my kids as leverage. Now that you’re back in the picture, it’s done. There is no one else in this world I’d go to battle over but you, and she knows it. Fuck, everyone knows it. Whatever she’s conjured up in her head is dying fast, and she’s drawing the lines with my kids in the middle. They’re torn up over it.”

“How do you know?”

“Maya admitted to being confused, so I decided to approach my relationship with you at a later time. But Cole had other ideas. He wouldn’t shut up with questions about you. He already thought you were pretty, but when I explained why we were in Aspen, and you’re the Darby behind DG Creations, he was out of his mind. Maya tried to act disinterested, but it was obvious she was curious.”

“Her curiosity is understandable.” I think of the poor girl whose mom has filled her head with unimaginable lies.

“What would you tell her?”

“I’m not the right person to ask.”

“You were a young girl once. Give me advice on what to say to her.”

“Pierce, don’t ask me to do that. I’m not going to give you suggestions on how to raise your and Connie’s daughter.”

His jaw goes hard, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. He takes my hand in his, bringing it to his chest and clutching hard. “Darby, there are a lot of things in this world I can change, but that is not one of them.”

“I know that, but it’s not going away.”

“I went to bed last night, wishing like hell you were by my side, and woke the same way. I spent twelve years without you, and now that I have you back, I’m not fucking around. I’m also a dad with a daughter who is at an influential age and has a mom who’s a bitter bitch. Can you take Connie out of the picture long enough to help me?”

I close my eyes and think hard about what may help. “Keep telling her you love her and Cole. Don’t ever let her hear you and Connie fight because both will feel they need to take sides. Be honest with them, but be delicate with her. Puberty is hard, and she’s going through a stage where emotions are uncontrollable. Connie should know this, but she’s choosing to use it as a weapon. Make sure to surround them with stability when they’re with you. Don’t change your routine when you have them, and never ever let them think I’m more important.” I finish and open my eyes to find him grinning.

“I think it will help when they meet you.”

I jerk so fast, he has to reach out and catch me before I hit the floor. “Did you not hear what I said about keeping a routine? I’m not in the routine.”

“You’re in my routine.”

“No, I am not.”

“Meeting you will be a good thing.”

“No, it won’t! That will never happen.” My loud pitch bounces off the walls, and sweat trickles down my back. I know what’s coming and am helpless to stop it. This has only happened a few times in my life. The unmistakable spike in my pulse makes me dizzy.

“Jesus, Darby, you’re pale as a ghost.”

“It’s hot in here.” I fan my face and try to escape his hold. My heart races double time, and panic swells low in my chest. “Let me go.”

“Baby, what’s happening here?”

“Please.” I squirm frantically.

“Breathe, Darby.” His arms lock around me, forcing me to fall into him. I try to push away, but I’m trapped.