Page 125 of Manacled Hearts

Once again he turns to me, frowning. “They’re on a need to know basis,” he answers anyway.

“What does that even mean?”

“My parents are businesspeople who built an incredible fortune and managed to retire before they turned forty-five. Not many people manage that by being upstanding citizens. Most of their business ventures were clean, but some… some were just as stained as what I do is. They aren’t even the only ones in Queenscove like that. They’re just the ones who rose the highest at that time. I’m sure Morrigan told you about her parents? But yes, they’ve heard enough about The Sanctum.”

I’m still reeling in from the information, and it takes me a minute to answer his question.

“Umm… briefly, I guess. I don’t think it’s necessarily something she likes talking about much.”

“Yeah.” He scoffs. “The way it ended might not be the type of story you share over brunch.”

“What do you mean? How did it end?”

He glances at me, the narrowing eyebrows spelling concern more than annoyance.

“Let’s just say… badly for her parents and ex-fiancée, but great for her.”

“Why do I feel like you’re sparing me from some gruesome details?”

“Because I am. Evelyn, I’m still unsure how much to share with you. How deep you want to be in this world of ours. Especially when you say you don’t know if you want to stay. You know so much already.”

“So what, you’re going to off me if I leave and I know too much?” I scowl as I spit those words at him, a bit too much disdain in my voice covering a tinge of fear.

But the man laughs. A sinful rumble that shakes that strong chest of his, messy curls bouncing against his cheek making me want to sink my fingers between them.

“No, Evie darling. Because I don’t want you to end up in trouble because you know too much. What you have seen so far scratches the surface. But we deal with threats to our power and people who think they can swoop in and take it from us, constantly. We are masters of blackmail, but there are many who try it on us too. We’re trained to deal with this. Our people are trained too. But you, sugar, you’re not. And the last thing I intend to do is share too much, get you in too deep, just for you to run away from me and for someone to catch you and hurt you for what you know.”

Well, when he puts it that way. My chest relaxes, and I didn’t realize how tense the subject made me until the breath left me with a heavy exhale.

“I’m not running away, Finn.” Though, I’m not sure I believe my words.

In the last few days I’ve felt like the only way to leave this place, if I do make a decision to do so, is by running away. Not out of fear for them. I’m scared of myself, of allowing the time for goodbyes that I know will threaten to change my mind about the decision. Because deep down I know leaving will be the last thing I’ll truly want to do.

“Are you not?” he whispers, but I’m not sure he intended for me to hear him, his head turned to his side window.

I bite my tongue, because I started this conversation in an attempt to smooth things over after upsetting him with the exact same topic.

“I’m sorry for assuming. Thank you for thinking of my safety, I guess.”

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about lately.” This time he intended for me to hear his whisper, and it brings a heated flush to my cheeks.

“Thank you.” I bite my bottom lip and that’s the moment he chooses to look at me again, his attention fixed right there.

“What else do you enjoy doing? Besides reading?” I attempt to distract him further.

“What’s with all the questions, Evelyn?”

“Well… you’ve learned so much about me, but I know almost nothing of you.”

He sighs again, but it doesn’t feel heavy anymore. “Swimming. Not in a pool, but out in the ocean. It helps me clear my head. I like the extremes… the early morning cool water, and the late at night warmth.”

Figures. He has a swimmer’s body.

“I never heard you mention going swimming.” My tone is dreamy, distracted, my imagination filling with strong naked shoulders… the wide expanse of his chest, all wet.

“I haven’t done it as often as I wanted to. I’ve had other… things keeping me busy.”

“Things… right.”

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