Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1)

by Ahren Sanders

  “No.”

  “I was at a party with Stephanie, and the hostess kept bragging about her dog’s new litter. She showed us the puppies and explained there was one that wasn’t going to make it. The puppy wasn’t doing as well as the others, had stopped eating altogether, and wasn’t showing signs of maturing. They expected him to pass soon. There was speculation he’d have blindness, have growth disabilities, never walk right, and certainly never run. He was more than the runt in the litter. As if he heard them planning his death, he looked up at me and weakly shuffled over. I held him that day and knew he had a chance. I bottle fed him that night, and he sucked it down like he was starving. It was a running joke that plants wouldn’t survive under my care, so no one got their hopes up. But after two weeks of me going over and feeding him bottles daily, he perked up and started socializing. By week eight, I was attached, and he needed a home. Our first night at my place, I was a nervous wreck because taking care of a living being was a huge responsibility. He was asleep, and I snuck off to shower. When I came out of the bathroom, he was racing around my room, searching for me. Therefore, he’s named Runner.”

  “And, today, you could have lost him.”

  “Yes, but I didn’t. I know you’re probably furious with me for overreacting.”

  My head snaps up. “You think I’m furious? I’m so fucking sorry it happened I want to punch something.”

  “Pierce, I said some awful things about your daughter, your ex, and your parenting. It was uncalled for.”

  She’s calm, too calm, the familiar tune of resignation in her voice. “Don’t, Darby. Don’t you dare retreat. Everything you said was right, and you aren’t the one who needs to apologize. Maya acted irresponsibly today, and her actions caused injuries. It doesn’t matter if the injuries were to a dog; it was unacceptable. She was conniving and malicious, like you said, and the worst part is that I’m to blame.”

  “W-w-why do you say that?”

  “Because, in a way, I’ve nurtured this behavior. You are right. I have to stop blaming it on Connie and get a handle on that shit. It’s my job to parent her in the right direction and guide her to live by a moral compass.”

  “Obviously, her mother can’t do that because she preyed on a wounded man in an effort to get what she wanted out of life,” Darby says faintly.

  “That’s right, baby. She did, but I was living on the edge of destruction and played my part in that well. But I could live the rest of my life if you never refer to her as my ‘ex’ again.”

  She giggles even with her eyes brimming with tears. “I thought you’d want this back after I laid into you the way I did.” She slips the ring to the tip of her finger, and I can’t control the low rumbling growl that rises in my throat.

  “Don’t take that ring off. If I had it my way, I’d attach it to your finger permanently. This doesn’t change what’s happening between us. It’s a wake-up call for me to open my eyes to the importance of teaching my kids the basics of right and wrong. You said something that hit home today.”

  “I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment.”

  “You said Cole is just like me, and he is because I know how to deal with boys. Maya is a reflection of her mother because I’ve allowed it. Tonight, when she was afraid of Connie’s reaction to our engagement, you shook with anger at her fear of her mother. I need you to stick with me here because I’m getting to the bottom of this.”

  “Do you think something is happening in their house?”

  “I think Connie has conditioned her in a way that she doesn’t know how to think and stand up for herself.”

  “That’s scary.”

  “It’s going to end. You’re not giving up on us.”

  “I don’t see…” She trails off, and I can guess a hundred ways for her to finish that sentence.

  “I need you, baby.” Desperation bleeds into my statement. “I failed you today by not fulfilling my promise to protect you. I need to know you are still with me.”

  She has no resistance, wiggling the ring back down and reaching for me. I slide behind her, folding her into my body, careful of her wine. Dropping my mouth to her neck, I skim my tongue along the tendon and inhale her scent. There are many things left unsaid, but for now, I’ll take this, knowing she’s not giving up.

  •—•—•—•—•

  I wake at dawn when a hard object presses to my shoulder. My gaze slowly focuses on big, brown, sad eyes. Runner drills the cone into me a few times, and I pat his nose, shifting Darby off my chest.

  “I’ve got you, boy.” My legs protest when I press up and use the arm of the couch as leverage. “Jesus, I’m getting old,” I mutter.

  Runner wobbles, clearly in pain but needing to go outside. I pick him up and grunt again at his weight, knowing Darby shouldn’t have carried him yesterday. He limps around, does his business, and then lays on his side, looking to me for help. I haul him up, take him inside, and search for the pills Darby mentioned.

  “They’re on the far counter next to his treats,” she mumbles from the floor.

  He’s not persuaded, stealing the treat and hobbling back to her. I grab a bottle of water and go to lie next to her. Runner’s already at her side, trying to dislodge himself from the cone, and she’s talking softly.

  “Here’s the pill.” I slide it into her hand and watch as she shoves it in his mouth, holds his mouth shut, and rubs his throat.

  “That’s harsh.” I pity the dog.

  “He’s fine.” Her face crumples in pain when she sits up, and I wish like hell I could stay here and take care of her today. But the sooner I get my shit sorted, the sooner I can get back here.

  “I hate to say this, but I’ve got to go.”

  “I know,” she replies sadly.

  “Can you do me a favor and work from home today?”

  “Yes, I can’t stand in the bakery all day.”

  “Good.” I snatch my phone from the floor and shoot off a quick text to my dad, detailing what I need. He responds quickly that it’s taken care of. “They’ll be here around eight-thirty.”

  “Who’s they?”

  “My dad and what I’m guessing is a small crew. They’re going to set up a temporary ramp on your porch stairs to make it easier for Runner to get up and down. You can’t lift him all day.”

  “Thank you.”

  Another text comes through, this one from Edward saying he saw me outside, and he and Annie are ready to head over when Darby wakes up.

  “Your parents want to come by.” I show her the message.

  “It’s not even fully daylight. It’s too early to deal with my mom.” She pouts.

  Normally, I’d agree that it’s too early for morning visitors, but today, I want Darby covered in case she needs anything. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll push them off for a later hour, but today, I’d feel better with them helping until the ramp is built and Runner is more comfortable.”

  “If you’re going to leave me here with them, you better get the coffee started.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “My mom has no business trying to get him up and down stairs or a ramp. Make that clear because she won’t listen to me.”

  “I’ll handle it.”

  “Fine, tell them to give us fifteen minutes.”

  I send the message back and help Darby off the floor, taking the time to look her over. She’s wearing one of my t-shirts and a pair of panties that, at any other time, would be in a heap on the floor by now, but the scrapes and bruises marring her legs are a painful reminder that I have shit to handle.

  She heads to the bathroom while I start the coffee and go to her closet to get dressed. The first thing I notice is the large void where the box of her personal items sat. I yank on my jeans and a shirt, taking inventory of other things missing. The ache in my chest returns with the reality staring me in the face. She’ll be moving soon. I have to fix things before she leaves.

  She waltzes in, her face freshly washed, hair in a ponytail, and
slides on a pair of frayed jean shorts, tucking my shirt in the front. I’m taken back in time, years of memories assaulting my mind. But now, my eyes zero in on the ring on her finger, a ring she should have been wearing back then.

  I go to her, curling an arm around her waist, and brush my lips across hers. “Keep the shorts on until I get back here. I’m having flashbacks I’d like to recreate.”

  She grins against my lips in response.

  I hurry through my routine in the bathroom, and when I get back to the kitchen, Annie and Edward are already here. Runner snores loudly on the dog bed, unaware of all eyes on him.

  “That shaved butt and cone head make him look like a space alien,” Annie says.

  Darby’s eyebrows fly up, and she narrows her eyes, sending me a silent message that it’s my job to deal with her mom.

  “I need to get to my parents’ before the kids wake up. There’s a crew coming to install a ramp for Runner. Annie, I don’t want you attempting to carry that dog or get him down the stairs. Let Edward handle it.”

  “Don’t boss me around, Pierce Kendrick. I’m fit as a fiddle,” she sasses.

  “That won’t be a problem. I’ll handle it.” Edward cuts his eyes to her in warning.

  Darby hands me a travel mug of coffee, tipping her face to mine for a quick kiss. “Good luck today. Check in when you have a chance.”

  I say my goodbyes, hiding my amusement at Annie’s scowl. Darby may not want to admit it, but she’s a lot like her mom when she doesn’t get her way.

  When I walk through the door at my parents’, I find them in the kitchen waiting for me. “How are things?” Mom worries.

  “Good. He’s sleeping and most likely will be all day.”

  “How’s Darby?”

  “She’s sporting some nasty scrapes, cuts, and bruises, but she seems fine.”

  “Is she still shaken up?”

  “She’s Darby. She calmed down, processed what happened, and we worked through it.”

  “She didn’t dump you again, did she?” Dad throws in with a chuckle.

  “She’s learned she can’t get rid of me.” I leave out the fact she slipped the ring off her finger. “If I could get away with it, I’d kidnap her today and marry her.”

  Mom gasps. “If you steal this occasion from me, I’ll never forgive you.”

  “I make no promises.”

  Feet pound on the stairs, Cole sprinting into the kitchen and straight to my side. “How’s Runner?” is the first thing out of his mouth.

  “He’s better.” I dig my phone out and show him the picture from this morning.

  “He looks like a space alien.” His eyes grow wide.

  I smile at the reference, thinking of Annie. “He does.”

  “Can we go see him?”

  “In a few days. He’s on some heavy medicine. Once he’s feeling better, we’ll go over.”

  “What about Darby? When can we see Darby again?”

  “Soon.”

  He accepts the answer, not hiding his disappointment.

  “I’ll see if we can do dinner on Sunday night when I pick you up from your Mom’s,” I add, hoping Darby will agree.

  “Okay.”

  “Go wake your sister up. It’s time to get ready for camp.”

  He sprints back out of the kitchen, yelling his good morning to Mom and Dad.

  My phone rings, and at the sight of Connie’s name, I hit ignore and start breakfast. This happens twice more before the texts pour in.

  Why isn’t Maya answering her phone?

  Where are you?

  I want to speak to my kids!

  “Answer that woman before she calls my phone.” Mom takes over the eggs.

  The best route is to text her back, allowing a record of our conversations.

  Maya no longer has a phone. It has been confiscated. We are at my parents’ having breakfast. If you’d like to speak to them, I can have them call you on our way to camp.

  Connie: You confiscated her phone? What are you, the police?

  No, I’m her dad.

  Connie: You have balls. Did you take her phone after she got upset over your engagement?

  I took her phone after she made a poor and irresponsible decision that caused an accident and almost killed Darby’s dog. Not to mention injured a man and resulted in thousands of dollars in damage. Maya and Cole witnessed every second of it. All of this because of your lies and manipulation. By the way, they know you’re not allergic.

  Nothing comes through for another minute, and I pocket the phone. The kids can call her in the car if they wish, but going forward, all communication from me will be in the form of writing or through our lawyers.

  Chapter 29

  Darby

  Pierce is waiting out front when we arrive at Rosen’s. He’s wearing a basic white oxford, opened at the neck to show off his tan skin, and a pair of navy slacks that mold to him. He straightens, crossing his arms, and a shiver races up my spine at the sight. His eyes stay trained on me as he makes his way to open my door, hauling me out of the back seat.

  “You’re late,” he gripes.

  “Blame it on Mom.”

  “You should have let me pick you up.”

  “You should learn the art of patience.”

  His jaw clenches tight as his eyes trail slowly over me, my skin tingling under his gaze. Mom scheduled another day of beauty. This time, she and Lynda joined me, knowing that tonight is special.

  His eyes meet mine, and I catch the smoldering desire right before his mouth crashes down, his tongue plunging inside. I fall into him, whimpering when his hands fist into my hair, slanting my head and diving deeper. He kisses me greedily, the contrast of his soft lips and hard strokes sending a shiver through my bones. I’m powerless to him in this moment. The world around us is forgotten. My brain blacks out the fact that we are on a busy sidewalk with strangers passing by. My family is no longer a few feet away, and his family is inside.

  It’s only us, and this is him, making his statement.

  I grow lightheaded, twirling my tongue in rhythm with his. He growls down my throat approvingly as my nails dig into his side.

  “We’re going inside. Pierce, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ruffle her hair and makeup too much. We have pictures to take.” Mom’s request cuts through my haze, and I slowly float back down to reality.

  Pierce sucks my bottom lip into his mouth once more before pulling away and pressing his forehead to mine. “You are stunning.”

  “You are, too.”

  We stay like this for several minutes, our bodies pressed close, his molten eyes locked with mine. Silently sharing our thoughts.

  My heart swells and dives at the same time. It’s been three weeks since the incident with Maya, and the results have taken a toll on him. He wasted no time jumping into action. The first thing he did is enforce the original custody agreement set in place years ago. No longer is there a loose schedule where the kids can float back and forth. It immediately went back week-to-week with each parent. Drop-offs and pick-ups are done in a public location or at one of the grandparents’ houses. Pierce refuses to be alone with Connie without another adult present. He isn’t going to risk his kids witnessing any type of argument or altercation, nor does he want to give Connie any ammunition to use in the privacy of her home. Anger toward her still scorches inside, and he can’t look at her without thinking of the emotional damage she caused.

  What I said to him that day scored deep. More than once, I’ve tried to explain my outburst was driven by shock and fear, but he feels differently. It awakened what he considered a huge, gaping, blind spot when it comes to his somewhat relaxed parenting style.

  I haven’t seen Maya or Cole since the day they watched me carry a bloody Runner to my truck and most likely heard the awful things I screamed at their dad. Since then, it’s been a hectic balance of finishing the last of my orders, cleaning out the bakery, and packing the things to ship to Aspen.

  He’s had them all we
ek, but Mom and I made an unexpected trip to Charlotte to handle personal business with my house and meet with Stephanie. He was not happy with my spontaneous trip, but it couldn’t be helped.

  “This week has been hell without you.” He flexes his grip on my scalp.

  “I missed you, too.”

  “I want you in my bed tonight.”

  “Let’s see how dinner goes. I don’t want to barge in on their last night with you for the week, especially since we’re leaving tomorrow.”

  “You’re going to see they want you with us. Cole is plotting his attack.”

  “That’s because he’s exactly like his father.”

  Pierce’s lips curve into a sexy grin as he releases my head and laces his hand with mine. Together, we enter the restaurant, and the hostess is waiting to lead us to our table. Everyone is already seated. When Cole spots us, he’s on his feet and in front of me in a flash. He flings himself into me, knocking me back on my heels. Luckily, Pierce steadies me before I collapse.

  “Hi, Darby.”

  “Hey there.” I take my hand from Pierce and wrap my arms around his little shoulders.

  “How’s Runner?”

  “He’s good, sweetie. Almost completely healed.”

  He moves back and lifts his big blue eyes to me, asking sweetly, “Can we see him before you leave?”

  I whip my head around to find Pierce openly smiling. “I did warn you.”

  “Hi, Darby.” Maya stands awkwardly beside Cole.

  I step into her space and embrace her warmly. “Maya, you look beautiful tonight.”

  The compliment breaks the tension, and she hugs me in return, muttering her thanks.

  “You’re sitting between me and Dad,” Cole announces, taking his seat.

  Pierce’s hand goes to the small of my back, steering me to my seat, while Maya takes the open chair on the other side of him.

  “I smell an ambush,” I whisper to Pierce.

  “It’s your last night in town. Are you going to break a little boy’s heart by denying him?” Pierce doesn’t lower his voice.

  “Yeah, Darby, are you going to break my heart?” Cole mimics, sending a round of laughter spreading around the table.