Page 168 of Manacled Hearts

“Once or twice,” I answer, trying to sound nonchalant and failing.

“The kitchen in that house helps, though. Right?” he says with a deep, rumbling chuckle.

“Okay, yeah, the kitchen helps.”

It’s gorgeous. Large enough to fit a decent size island in the middle, with a huge window stretching almost the entire length of the biggest wall, above the countertop, and two ovens already installed. I have plans to change the color scheme to deep violets and greens, but the configuration is fantastic. I can already see myself baking like a madwoman in there.

“Any reservations?” His tone is lower as he asks the question.

I hesitate for a moment. “It’s quite a transition for you. From a ‘one night only’ kind of guy to living with your girlfriend and a kid. I guess I just wonder if you’ll—”

“Stop wondering,” he interrupts. “You’re mine, Evelyn. Since the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you would be my end. I just didn’t know what kind of end. Turns out it was of just… existing. I only ever started truly living once you came into my life. You are everything.” He brushes his knuckles down my cheek, stopping under my chin and tipping it up until our mouths align.

His words hit so deep, goosebumps bloom over my skin, bursting from within my chest. He brushes his lips against mine in a ghost of a touch, then presses sweet, soft kisses to them.

“And your sister, she’s the bonus I never asked for and could never, ever let go. She’s part of you, Evelyn, which makes her part of me too. And I finally have someone to talk books with.”

“Thank you.” I whisper. My heart swells with his words. His acceptance of my sister, the one who is now officially in my custody because of him, means more than anything. “Though, she might grow out of reading at some point.”

“Eh, it will be good for as long as it lasts.” He shrugs.

“Are you talking about the new house?” Maya jumps on the opposite end of the sofa and nestles into Finn. No boundaries whatsoever. “I can’t wait for my little nook in the library. Can we build a tent? But like, inspired from ‘One thousand and one nights’, pretty and colorful, with carpets and pillows all over the floor.”

“How are you gonna earn the tent?” Finn asks her.

He knows I never give my sister everything she wants unless she earns it. I was never raised spoiled and I don’t plan on raising her the same.

She scrunches her eyebrows as she digs for the answer. “Umm… I’ll do well in school?”

“You have to do good in school anyway,” Finn says with a chuckle.

“Oh, okay. I’ll unpack the library after you build it.”

Finn turns to me with a surprised expression. “Actually, that’s pretty good,” he says, laughing.

“Yeah, not going to lie, I never planned on doing that myself. Plus, you know… bad shoulder and all.” I shrug, pointing at it.

“Aaah suddenly it’s a bad shoulder. Okay, I see how this will be.” He shakes his head, but the smile stays on his lips.

“So is that a deal?” Maya pulls at his forearm.

“No. You’ll help me unpack the library. It’s a big, slightly dangerous job, sweet girl. But you’ll be my assistant. How about that?”

“Yaaay! Thank you, Finn, thank you!” she wraps her little arms around his neck and hugs him tight, as I’m silently praying she’s not going to accidentally fall on his healing chest.

But she pulls away carefully, jumping back off the sofa and disappears somewhere behind us.

Finn chuckles, turning his attention back to me, squeezing me just a little harder.

“Me and her, Evie… it comes effortlessly. Never worry. You gave me something I’ve been missing for so long, you gave me family. Different from The Sanctum, because you and Maya, you’re all mine. Only mine.”

“Forever?”

“And beyond.”

EPILOGUE

FINNIGAN

---