Page 154 of Manacled Hearts

I stop dead in my tracks, choking on my own spit when I try to swallow the gasp.

“Need some water, darling?” The man turns to me, a devastating smile dimpling his cheek.

“Finally!” my sister says with a cheeky sigh.

“Maya! I swear… one of these days.” I shake my head at her, but she giggles in response and clings tighter to our father.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, son. You’re taking care of my girls, yes?”

“Of course. I hope you’ll be comfortable at Queen Anne. I’ve inspected all the facilities and services personally.”

“You did?” I ask, unable to hold back anymore of the shock.

“Thoroughly,” Ms. Campbell says with a soft chuckle. “We’ve never been scrutinized quite like this before. Your father is in safe hands. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll give you some privacy. Please feel free to explore. Jackie here is starting to know her way around, but there are others to assist if you get a little lost. Mr. Hennessey has my contact details if you need anything at all in the future.”

“Thank you,” I say to the woman, still flabbergasted.

“My pleasure. Welcome to Queen Anne Sanctuary.” Her smile is soft and warm as it touches her eyes.

This woman is genuine, and I wonder if she knows how much documentation Finnigan faked to get him here. Dad sits down, pulling Maya on his lap, and they start talking, and I grab Finn’s arm and yank him out of earshot.

“What the fuck did you do, Hennessey?” I whisper in a hissed tone.

He cocks his eyebrow, probably at my use of his last name, but amusement brushes his lips.

“I wanted to surprise you—”

“Surprise me?!” I interrupt. “Is that another way of saying that you did something stupid behind my back and without my permission?” My nails dig into his bicep, but it’s the only thing keeping me leveled. I don’t want to make a scene in front of my father and Jackie.

“Depends how you look at it.”

“Is this how you intend on manipulating me into staying in Queenscove?”

His brows lower, gaze darkening at my accusing question.

“Trust me, Evie darling, I have better manipulating techniques than this.” He quirks an eyebrow, gaze drawing down my body before it meets my eyes again.

“Don’t mess with me; I can see right through you.”

He takes a deep, slow breath, cocking his head as he inches closer to me. I tense, but hold strong. Pulling this is completely out of order, though my father’s warm laughter filtering through doesn’t help my case, especially when it makes me unnaturally giddy.

“Listen to me, Evelyn”—Finn’s tone shifts to a low rumble—“I did what I needed to see that beaming smile your father puts on your lips, the tears in your eyes at the sight of his own, and the sheer happiness on your beautiful face, that you can’t hide even with your anger. You were devastated, and it broke my fucking heart. After all you’ve been through, you and Maya did not deserve to suffer through the pain of also being away from your father.”

My lips part as I release my hold on his bicep, his declaration leaving me slightly stunned.

“This feels like bribery. I know how much this place costs, and you know for a fact I cannot afford this.”

“Don’t you even dare mention money to me right now,” he argues as his eyes narrow to a straight line. “You don’t understand how much I yearn to make you happy. It’s fucking worrying, Evelyn, and I can’t make sense of myself. But here I am… trying to make you happy. To make your life easier. Better. You can fight me all you want, but this isn’t gonna stop. I’ll do whatever I need to do to see that addictive happiness beaming in those gray eyes of yours.”

I swallow a lump in my throat as emotions heat their way through my chest at the declaration that feels a lot like he’s baring his soul to me. Maybe even his heart.

So many possibilities turn from black and white to full color in my mind, dreams I didn’t allow to surface; a high-school degree, my own business, Maya safe in a school, baking with Mamaw June, and regular dinners with all these people who have become family. All of this could happen now.

I just have to allow myself to experience them.

“Finnigan, I—”

“Now is not the time. Go, spend it with your father. Take as long as you want. I’ll wait for you in the car.”

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