Page 136 of Manacled Hearts

“I’m not peeing with you here.” I smile like an idiot, the prospect sounding ridiculous.

“I licked frosting off your asshole, but we draw the line at you peeing in my presence.” He shakes his head, but the smile on his face is devastating. “Very well, my darling Evie.” He presses a quick peck to my lips, then quickly straightens his clothes as he walks out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

I drag my fingers through my hair as I focus on myself in the mirror, looking all sexed up and satisfied. At least I’m not going to have to be the one to explain to the others why we both disappeared at the same time. Though the gleam in my eyes might betray us anyway.

CHAPTER 33

EVELYN

Either Finnigan talked to everyone, or they truly don’t care, because the moment I return to the terrace, no one even bats an eyelid. They notice me returning but no one focuses on me, their conversations carrying on.

“Evie!” Maya jumps on the sofa next me, grabbing onto my forearm as she lands on her knees, a great big smile on her lips.

“Yes, pretty girl.”

“Can I sleep here again tonight?” she asks, grinning from ear to ear.

“Darling, I think we should give them a break tonight.”

“Pleeease. I already asked them.” She squeezes my arm and throws the best puppy eyes she can pull off.

“She did, indeed.” Annika startles me, appearing to my left. “It’s honestly fine. No bother at all.”

“It’s not quite fair to you, Ronan… or Vincent,” I whisper to her.

“We’re not here for much longer, and we all enjoy her company. From what I heard, you’ve had your hands full for a while now. You deserve a little break.”

“It’s not like that, I don’t need a break,” I say, feeling bad that she thinks she needs to do this for me.

Then her eyes flash somewhere beyond me before returning to mine. I don’t know what or who she looked at, but from the heat searing the back of my neck, I can only guess.

“I understand, trust me, but you can still enjoy one,” she answers.

“Please, Evie. It’s been so fun with Aaro around. And Annika has been teaching me to paint!” Maya squeals.

“Is that right?” I turn to my sister, pleasantly surprised at her words.

“Yes! Wait here, I’ll go grab them and I’ll show you.” She jumps off the sofa and runs away.

I watch her run inside the house, shaking my head and laughing at the girl.

“Look at that energy at this time of night. Are you sure you want to deal with more of that?” I ask Annika.

“It’s honestly nothing. Mamaw June has been staying here for safety reasons too, so please, don’t worry.” She starts moving away, then stops and cocks her head. “So it’s a yes, then.”

I snort, shaking my head. “You’re a saint, you know. Thank you.”

She smiles and walks away. I’m going to miss Annika. Her presence here has had an incredible impact on me because it allowed me the space, the time to find out more about myself.

A moment later, my phone that I left on the sofa vibrates, and I fumble for it, noticing text notifications when I pick it up. I know no one here, who texts me? Oh, maybe it’s Raven?

I open the notifications just as Maya jumps back on the sofa and I hear the faint rustling of paper being laid on my lap. Only, my gaze can’t focus on anything else but the words screaming at me from the screen of my phone.

Missed me?

Tell your precious Sanctum about this and I will pull your sister’s guts out while she still breathes. But I’ll make sure you watch me rip into her first.

What the hell is this? Panic threads through my veins as Maya speaks words I can’t hear, excitedly pushing colorful papers in my line of sight.

---