Locked Hearts (Chained Hearts Duet 2)

Well, shit.

“You didn’t have to shoot him.”

Asshole.

“How about dinner?” his mother asks and walks around the table. Wren and I both look at her as she stops next to us.

“Can Wren help me get dinner out?” she asks nicely, clapping her hands at Wren. The last thing I want to do is give this woman my child, even if she is her grandmother. So I decide to leave it up to Wren, and she does what I don’t want her to do, she opens her arms and goes to her. I groan softly as she takes her and walks into the kitchen.

“You want to be me for a day?” he challenges once they’re out of hearing range. “You really think you could do what I do?” he asks, picking up a piece of pineapple and sucking it in between his lips.

I lick mine as I watch him and answer, “I know I can.”

“Done! I’ll pick Wren up tomorrow and Roberto will collect you.” He sits back, crossing his arms over his chest. “This is going to be interesting.”

“If you say so.” I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe I’ll retire your ass and make you my nanny.”

He throws his head back and chuckles.

And for the first time, I resist the urge to kick him in the balls.

Chapter Seven

Keir

“Why are you staring at her like that.” My mamma sits opposite me while Sailor is using the bathroom.

“Like what?” I ask her, curious.

Wren is asleep and lying in a portable crib next to me.

Dinner was filled with tension, clearly my mother and Sailor were not comfortable with each other but somehow we got through it.

“Like she’s more than you say she is.” My mamma’s not dumb—she knows. You can’t put anything over on her and in some ways that is a great thing, but in others not so much, like now. “And why are you still punishing your brother? He did what he thought was right.”

“He lied to me,” I point out.

“So did a lot of people.”

“And those that I know of are dead.”

“She’s not.” Mamma lifts her wine glass in Sailor’s direction. “Actually, I don’t think she ever will be…” She pauses and takes a large drink before continuing, “I wasn’t your father’s first choice. You know that, right?” I’d heard my asshole father say that numerous times. When the old bastard got drunk, he would ramble about a pretty blonde who stole his heart. He never cared about Mamma or her feelings when he was drunk.

“Hmmm,” is all I can give in response.

She waves me off. “I know in the end it was the blonde he wished was with him, even though I gave him everything he wanted. It’s the only reason I stayed around so long.” She looks to make sure Sailor isn’t there before she returns her eyes to me. “I know your father still saw that woman. Do you plan to do the same? To see Sailor on the side? Have her as your dirty little secret while you’re off marrying Paige?” I choose not to answer. “Your father should have left me… he should have left me so he could be with the woman he wanted. Instead, he kept me around like a stray cat, came to me when he needed things, and left to always be with her. Do you know what that does to a woman, how that makes her feel?” She answers her own question, “Like shit.”

I wasn’t aware he still had a relationship with this other woman. I guess in the end he was good at hiding things.

“I have a feeling this Sailor won’t be happy as your side piece, Keir. Are you prepared for that?”

“I will never be a side piece,” Sailor says as she returns and smiles at my mother. “Thank you for giving him the correct advice, but it’s not necessary. You see, your son and I are not intimate any longer. I don’t plan to ever be again.”

Those words, those stinking words that have just left her mouth make me fucking mad—no I am furious, there’s no denying that. My eyes track her as she walks over to me at the table and looks down, so I retort with, “No one has ever said you will be.”

“Good! Just so you’re aware.” She nods and looks over to Wren. “It was lovely meeting you, but I’m afraid I have to go and get Wren to bed.”

My mother stands, goes to Sailor, and kisses her cheek. “I would like to visit you and Wren more often, if that’s okay. My sons never have enough time for me anymore.”

“That’s not true, Mamma. We love you.”

“Well, bring your brother back,” she retorts, at which Sailor looks to me and just stares silently with her head slightly tilted to the side.

“But would that be okay?” My mother directs her question to Sailor. “If I visited? I would love to spend more time with her.”