Page 55 of Shattered Hearts

Finn releases me gently. “You actually got something from that shit dispenser he calls a mouth?”

“Huh?” I’m already across the room, reaching for the first aid kit with my good hand.

“What makes you think he knows about it?”

“Troy thinks I married you. Me.NotHarper.” I roll my lips together, recoiling from the burn of the disinfectant wipe bitinginto my injured hand. “I’m sure of it. He’s been talking crazy about me getting married since I got home.”

“Okay…so what are you thinking?”

“Red Hill must’ve been following you…” My eyebrows scrunch as I put all the pieces together. “Saturday…”

“What about Saturday?”

“They knew you were getting married. They saw you get into a limo with your bride, and if they followed us home, they would’ve seenmeget out. Troy can tell me apart from Harper, and he knows where I live. He attacked you the next day.”

“Our secret wasn’t our secret until four days ago.” Finn pulls out his phone and dials. “If they’ve been trailing me since before the wedding, we need to find out why.”

Finn strolls toward my kitchen as his call connects. I have no idea who’s on the other end. All I know is when Finn is serious, his voice gets lower.

“We have a problem.”

Minutes later, after I’ve cleaned and bandaged my hand as well as I can, Finn returns. “Your dad’s sending a crew to pick up lover boy. I told him we’d wait until they get here.”

“And then what?”

“We’re moving you into the mansion.”

My stomach dips. “Come again?”

Finn makes a sweeping gesture, indicating my trashed den. “Look around.”

Between Troy breaking in and Finn fucking him up, my apartment has seen better days. And even after all the evidence is cleared away, will I really feel safe sleeping here?

Finn moves to the window, scanning the street below.

“Right now, you and I are targets of the Red Hill Mafia. Don’t know how or why, but I do know you need protection.” Finn faces me. “Until your sister gets back, you’re moving in with me. Full-time.”

Chapter 14

Riley

Move in with Finn? Just like that?

After that intense and bloody make out session we had earlier?

I’m going to make you come…over and over again. On my fingers. On my cock. On my tongue.

After that?

I know I’m moving in for safety, but in another way, this is the most dangerous move I can make. And not just because Finn and I alone together in an empty apartment are a fuck-risk.

Getting my own apartment and taking my job at the shelter are the only two decisions I’ve made on my own in twenty-three years. They’re the first two steps I took in gaining independence from my family. Take away my apartment, and I’m one inch closer to being under my father’s thumb yet again.

I don’t bother arguing though. Based on the muscle twitching in his neck and set jaw, Finn won’t be taking no for an answer.

By the time the pickup crew arrives, I’ve gotten myself back into the “act like Harper” mindset and packed all my essentials—everything that could be salvaged—into my one and only suitcase.

In the alley behind my apartment, I say goodbye to my second-floor walk-up, eyes misting with tears. I left a note for Jodi and the Zhangs telling them I’ll be out of town for a few weeks but don’t have a return date.

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