Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“Why are you convinced they are there?” I wonder. “They’ve never been in the shed. The times we’ve spent at your parents’ were at the stables and the main house.”

“I’m not convinced, but it’s a hunch. Just go with it.”

Miller passes us, dangling his keys. “Let’s roll. Better than sitting here fucking watching the clock.”

“I’ll stay behind,” Stephanie offers.

We pile into Miller’s truck, and on the way to the Graham’s, Darby explains the theory Stephanie and she worked through. Actually, it’s more like Stephanie beat down doors until she got a hold of a detective friend that works with runaways. Maya and Cole aren’t runaways. They are confused, young children. Maya is twelve now and most likely knows enough about the biology of how babies are made. If she’s heard Connie ranting and read the papers, she’s probably figured out that she and Cole weren’t planned.

The fiery burning lead in my stomach scorches hotter, thinking about the way Connie unashamedly performed today. If Maya overheard any of that, there’s no telling where her mind is. I have a feeling this is what a detective will be telling us tomorrow morning when he shows.

Annie and Edward’s house is dark when we drive around the far side of the property.

“You two wait here,” Darby tells our brothers, taking my hand and leading me quietly across the yard.

“Let me go in first,” she whispers, using the hidden key.

“I’m with you.”

“Then hang back a few steps. You’re a very scary shadow.”

She creeps inside, moving through the rooms, expertly maneuvering around the furniture. At the entrance to the bedroom, she stops, stands, and in the darkness, I can make out the flash of her white teeth as she grins.

I join her to find two shapes under the covers. My arm jets around her waist while the other braces on the doorframe as everything seeps out of my body. I send a silent prayer to God.

“May I?” Darby mutters softly.

All I can do is nod, unable to look away. She sidles up to the bed and lays a hand on the small form who jumps. “It’s Darby.”

“Darby?” Maya’s little voice is skeptical. “You’re here?”

“Yes, sweet girl. I have your dad with me. Can I sit down?”

Maya scoots, and Darby lowers herself. “Can I turn on the light?”

There’s a rustling of movement before the room is bathed in dim light. Cole pops up his face, darting his eyes around, and when he spots Darby, he launches across the bed. “Darby!”

Maya knifes up, joining him in her arms, and I can’t stand back anymore. I step forward, covering all of them with my body and arms.

“Daddy, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to ruin your life!” Maya cries, and fuck me if I can’t respond over the stinging in my throat.

“Oh, Maya, you are so, so wrong. You didn’t ruin your dad’s life. You two are everything to him,” Darby soothes.

“That’s not true. It’s because of us he didn’t marry you and have your own children,” she continues.

My loathing of Connie heightens to impossible notches. “Maya, that’s not true.”

“Can y’all look at me?” Darby asks gently.

They give her a little space, and she glances at me briefly before cupping both their cheeks. “I am marrying your dad.” She sucks in a deep breath in warning of what’s coming. “And your dad and I did have our own child. He didn’t make it. You are way too young to understand the details, but the important thing is that you know you had nothing to do with it.”

Maya’s face goes pale because she understands completely.

“We’re in a lot of trouble, aren’t we?” Cole’s blue eyes are wide and scared.

“You scared the shit out of everyone. What were you thinking?” I control the tremor in my voice.

“It’s my fault. I convinced him to come with me. It wasn’t the plan to run away.”

“You weren’t running away?”

“Not really. I just wanted to get away, and I didn’t think it through. Then I got scared. We didn’t have anywhere else to go. We got here, and I decided to find Mrs. Annie in the morning. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“Why don’t you try?”

“How about we message Miller and spread the word we’ve found them and they’re fine. Then we need to let Connie know.”

At the mention of Connie, Maya’s face goes stark white. Cole slides a few inches closer to Darby. “Maya, we know what’s been happening at your mom’s. She’s not taking you away from me,” I try to assure her.

Their shoulders slump, relief extending across their faces. Boots pound up the stairs and through the space, Miller and Evin rushing in.

“Thank God,” they clip.

“Get Annie and Edward, and let Mom and Dad know we’re going home.” I take another look at Maya and Cole, dislodge myself from our huddle, and leave to make the call to Connie.