Page 86 of Manacled Hearts

She chuckles softly and moves to let me in.

“I must admit, I’m not used to you being so disappointed to see me.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.” I don’t even bother to deny it. One does not lie to Mamaw June. The woman has a sixth sense about it.

“It’s okay.” Her tone is light, amused. “But Evelyn’s not here, dear.”

I’m too late.

“Do you know where she is?”

“Out. She asked me to look after Maya tonight.” She shrugs as she moves toward the living room.

I’ve never been in this place, but Morrigan’s apartment on the floor above has a similar layout. This one has a different personality though, as in it almost lacks it. It looks like it was just about finished, some of the light switches still have the protective film over them. But this old building has so much character with its tall ceilings and intricate coving, that not much needs to be done to it to make it look inviting.

“Finnigan!” A little screech makes me swallow my next question, and a small body slams into me from the side, arms wrapped around my waist.

“Maya. Hello.” I greet the cheeky girl. I wonder if she reacts like this to everyone she sees. “You seem cheerful. Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?”

She pulls back and steals guilty looks at Mamaw June. “I’m a big girl. I can stay up late.”

“It’s eight thirty now, I’ll give you half an hour and then you’re off to bed.”

“An hour. Finnigan’s here. He can read something to me.” She grabs my hand and flashes her doe eyes, clear expectation in them.

“Oh honey, I actually have somewhere—” The words get caught in my throat at the shift in her eyes, sadness slowly seeping into them. “Sure, I’ll stay.” I can’t bring myself to deny her.

She squeals and skips cheerfully to a small bookcase, sliding to her knees and rummages through it.

“Did you have somewhere you needed to be? Because I don’t think you’re escaping this.” The woman chuckles.

I did, but I can’t bear the thought of disappointing the little one. Plus, I don’t know where I should go.

“Did Evelyn say where she was going?” I ask as I follow toward the sofa.

“She did not, no. And you know me, it’s not like I know the hip places in town anyway, so it wouldn’t matter.”

“How about this one?” Maya exclaims and rushes to me, a tattered book in hand.

I sit down on the comfy sofa and grab it from her. Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief. Okay, this is not a bad choice at all. Though this book clearly has seen better times.

“Where did you find this?” I ask Maya as she plops next to me, snuggling against my arm with absolutely no shyness or reservations. Her sister doesn’t share the same forward attitude, though… she’s the one who came on to me every time. Okay, maybe I am wrong, and she does have the same drive, I’m simply the one to squash it every time.

God, I truly am an asshole.

“One of those cool thrift shops. They have a lot of pretty old things there.”

I wonder if Evelyn takes her there out of need or actual pleasure for the cheap, secondhand items. I resign myself to pushing back my plan of finding Evelyn, because there is no way I’m going to break the little girl’s heart.

“Can you do something for me, though” I ask her.

“Of course! Anything.” She wraps her tiny hands around my bicep and looks at me like I’m about to give her the most important mission in the world.

“Could I have a glass of water, please?”

“Coming right up!” She jumps off the sofa and disappears somewhere behind me.

I chuckle at her enthusiasm, and pull my phone out of my pocket. Before I pop it on the table, I shoot a text to Maddox.

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