Page 167 of Manacled Hearts

His dream crashed and burned. It died slowly, just like he did, bleeding out on the cold concrete floor while watching the video of his disgusting son being eaten by pigs. By the time we left the warehouse, the pigs were halfway done and Bartiste was dead.

We’re free.

I’m free.

“She misses Aaro?” He quirks an eyebrow, gesturing to my sister who’s wrapping up books in a corner.

I roll my eyes, shaking my head, “This is not even the first time she mentioned him since we woke up. The kid’s only been gone for two days.”

“Told you—boyfriend.”

He chuckles and I would smack him if he wasn’t seriously hurt.

“What about you?” I counter, “Do you miss your brother?”

On a deep sigh his gaze drifts out the windows, but there’s no tenseness in his features. That puts a small smile on my lips.

“I think I do. I spent so long punishing him in my mind, blaming him, bashing him, but… it took a simple confrontation to realize it was me I was punishing. Retribution for my own failures. I guess being trapped on a hospital bed for days and not having any choice but to talk to him was all I needed to fully patch up my relationship with him.”

I shrug. “Maybe, but it’s not just that. You’re not the same person you were then, Finn. The pain is not fresh anymore and you’re older, more mature. You process these things differently now. Either way, I’m happy you have your brother back.”

“Look at you, though.” He turns his gaze back to mine. “You’re younger now than I was when it all happened to me, but you’re ten times more mature.”

“Eh, I’m a woman. We’re smarter.”

He bursts into a full belly laugh, clutching his abdomen, and for a moment I freeze.

“Stop it.” I hiss, “You’ll hurt yourself. You know you can’t strain your lungs.”

“Yeah, yeah. Come on, smart-ass.” He turns me and smacks my ass, urging me to move, but I don’t miss the slight cough. “Come, sit with me.”

He guides us on the sofa and pulls me into his side to cuddle me.

“No, I’ll hurt you,” I protest.

“Stop it, woman. I’m not made of glass. Don’t make me ask again.”

Reluctantly, I comply and cuddle into his side as he wraps one long, powerful arm around me.

“Are you going to miss this place?” I ask, watching the sheer, white curtains flow in the breeze.

“Probably not. After Ronan moved out, it rarely ever felt like home.”

I nod because, of course, I understand. After losing mom, Fleeton didn’t feel like home, and it had nothing to do with being homeless.

“Are you sure you like the house I found for us?”

Whilst he was recovering in the hospital he was adamant about wanting a fresh start. For all three of us. A place to fill with memories and everything we missed out on. So I went house hunting. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was the hasty, exorbitant offer I made to the couple whose house wasn’t even on the market, but it didn’t take as long as I thought it would to find the perfect place.

“It’s secure, on a private beach where I can go swimming whenever I want, and you assigned a giant room to build a library. What more can I want?”

I chuckle, remembering how his gaze twinkled when I told him about the double height space the owners were using for a tacky games room, which we could turn into a gorgeous library with a small spiral staircase and wrap around balcony. The prospect excited him so much, he told me I’m free to paint every room black and fill it with skulls and oddities, if I want, especially since he noticed I’ve been exploring my style more and more.

“Are you excited? Are you sure it’s what you want?”

I snort in response. “I never allowed myself to find out what I want, Finn. This… this is beyond any dreams I ever had.”

“You’ve dreamed of me though.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

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