Page 26 of Manacled Hearts

“She’s my mother-in-law,” Morrigan says as she heads over to the kitchen island and grabs a wooden spoon to mix something in a large bowl, and Mamaw June joins her.

“Come, I’ll get you both something to drink.” Vincent signals us to follow toward a bar area that’s next to the kitchen.

My mind is spinning, and I follow him without question, stealing another glance outside. It takes a ridiculous amount of effort not to trip over my own feet at the sight—Finnigan Hennessey is staring right at me. Only, unlike everyone else here, he does not smile. That sharp gaze does something to me. Good or bad, I don’t know. I haven’t figured that part out yet.

“We have everything. Juice, fizzy drinks, lots of alcohol.”

“Do you have apple juice?” Maya asks, pulling her hand from mine.

I rip my gaze from the blonde man and place my hand on my sister’s shoulder, turning to Vincent.

“I do. Evelyn, what would you like?”

“I’m not sure. Um… beer?”

He raises an eyebrow but straightens it immediately.

“Do you like Corona?”

Did I think he was going to question my age?

“I do, thank you,” I answer.

He pulls one out of a glass door fridge, pops the cap, and points to a glass and lime, but I shake my head to both.

“Feel free to come here and grab whatever you want. Including the stronger stuff.”

Ah, that’s why he raised his brow. He was surprised I didn’t go for spirits.

“Come, meet the others.” I hear Morrigan before she appears next to me.

We walk out onto the patio, and I stiffen when all focus turns to us. They’re not scrutinizing, but all this attention is daunting.

“You already know them.” Vincent waves a hand toward Maddox, Finnigan, and a man who’s name I didn’t catch that day in the container. He brought me the tracker. “And this is Cillian, Morrigan’s brother.” He points to a bearded, redheaded man who belongs on a magazine cover. “That’s Tina and Beau.”

Two people sharing an armchair nod and smile—definitely a couple.

“And this is Raven.” Morrigan points at one of the most beautiful, black-haired women I’ve ever seen in my life. “And my lovely Loreley. Or Lulu.”

I was wrong, Loreley might be the most beautiful, with her long, icy blonde hair and golden eyes. Jesus, they’re all beautiful. Not even a normal amount of beautiful, crazy stunning and handsome. Maddox’s jagged scar sweeping from his forehead down his cheek just adds to the charm. Even dressed in joggers, leggings, and casual T-shirts, they could just jump on the catwalk right now and no one would bat an eyelid.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Maya says, leaning into me a bit more.

I stifle a laugh. Wow, she finally found her shyness.

CHAPTER 5

EVELYN

There was no way I wouldn’t doubt if it would be appropriate for Maya to be in this environment, but my worries have been squashed. Everyone so far has been… oddly perfect. No one is bothered by Maya’s presence, even as I thought a kid might become annoying. She’s making sure to pull everyone up if they swear in front of her, which has made most of them laugh and comply with her demands. Some of the guys retired inside or walked farther away whenever it looked like a conversation was turning a bit too serious.

The whole evening is… strange.

Not bad. Definitely not bad.

It’s homey.

Such a contrast to what I thought this experience would be. Mamaw June is infectious in her attitude. These brutal men are menacing even when they smile, yet they’ll probably kneel at her feet. They might even be a little afraid of her.

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