Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1)

by Ahren Sanders

  I should have called her the second this nightmare began. It should have come from me what was happening. Instead, I was too preoccupied, trying to find the kids and manage the situation while simultaneously guarding Darby against the horrors of the day. She has no idea what she is walking into.

  We were with the judge when Connie got the call from her parents that the kids never arrived after school. The fear on her face sent an evil slither throughout me immediately. Snatched, kidnapped, injured… all of those were a possibility. It never occurred to me they would run away until the pieces came together, and witnesses told the police Maya and Cole walked away from that bus stop together, perfectly healthy, and went in the direction of town. What happened after that is unknown.

  We’ve searched everywhere, and as far as I know, everyone we know is on the lookout. Miller and Evin haven’t let me out of their sight, and thankfully, they were close when the police shared what they found at Connie’s. One look at her was all it took for me to know she’d planted that for Maya to read. Unable to take the heat, she flung herself at me, dramatically apologizing over and over, sobbing real tears. Her parents stood by like zombies, unable to believe Connie would do something that malicious.

  Miller and an officer removed her from me before I had the chance to physically react.

  A strong hand grips my shoulder, and Evin jars me from my thoughts. “She’ll be here soon.”

  “You heard from her?” I lunge for my phone.

  “Not exactly. It’s the twin thing.”

  “Fuck.” I scrub my hand across my forehead. “Wish you had something more than DNA telepathy.”

  “Dad messaged. He took the golf cart out and did another round on the property. Still nothing, but he’s covering his ground.”

  “It’s three in the morning.”

  “He and Mom are restless. They want to feel like they’re helping.”

  “Appreciate it. I’m about ready to hit the streets again, regardless of what the police advised.”

  A series of short, shrill beeps come from the code on the front door. My heart picks up speed, and Miller leaps to his feet, all of us sharing a look filled with hope it’s the kids.

  The door swings open, and the sight of Darby standing there slams into me with such force I’m momentarily struck immobile. She treads to me cautiously, holding my eyes captive, telling me a story without a word. She knows… She knows everything.

  When she’s less than a foot away, I drop to my knees, yanking her to me. Her hands flatten on my scalp, and she caresses softly. “Guys, we need a moment.”

  “You get your minutes, and then your ass is going to answer to me. Don’t you ever pull a stunt like this again,” Evin growls.

  “Why don’t you tone down your overinflated testosterone and come with me. I’ll explain everything.” Stephanie’s voice filters into the room, but I can’t pull my head from Darby’s clutches.

  The room clears, and Darby sinks down, laying her forehead to mine. “Any news?”

  “Nothing.”

  “We’ll find them.”

  “You know she caused this.”

  “I know.”

  I run kisses across her lips, inhaling sharply to fill my senses with her scent. “How do I make this better?”

  “We will make it better. You’re not alone in this anymore. We’ll deal with her after we find Maya and Cole.”

  “I’ll deal with her.”

  “You don’t understand. No more fighting this battle without me by your side. Constance Webber stole my happiness once. She’s not going to do it again. And I’m not going to let her ruin the lives of those beautiful children. Get it through your stubborn head; I’m not fragile. Whatever the fall-out of this is, we’ll deal together. As a family.”

  It’s all I can do to remain upright on my knees. Her eyes are clear. No clouds of hesitation, no panic, no distress. They are bright, alert, and full of love. The hint of betrayal she always tried to hide is gone. I was prepared to spend the rest of my life working that betrayal out of her system, but she did it on her own. She’s also communicating she knows what the future holds. I’m not going to let this happen ever again. I want my kids full time, and she’s prepared to take that on—to raise my children in a house of love, even though they are the result of the darkest years of her life.

  “Pierce, let’s go find them. Then we can process what happens next.”

  I nod, gripping her tighter, unwilling to let her go. “Not knowing where you were these last few hours has been torture. I should have called you, filled you in, but don’t do that to me again.”

  “Don’t do it to any of us,” Evin booms, still irritated, stomping back into the room.

  I help her to her feet and stand, feeling the exhaustion in my bones.

  “Quick version, to catch Pierce up. Once I remembered the Brasher private jet, things went into overdrive. I barely had time to coordinate my arrival with Stephanie’s. We knew everyone was busy here, and I didn’t want to distract from the important issues. What’s done is done, and here I am. Let’s move on.”

  “Unless you have a superpower, we’re at a standstill. The police are searching, but our efforts of driving up and down the streets have been useless.”

  “Let’s go to the shed.”

  “I’ve checked the shed personally. Mom and Dad have been through the house, their basement, the stables, and Dad is currently patrolling in the golf cart. If you want, he’ll go to the shed,” Evin responds.

  “Call him and Mom and tell them to shut down for the night and pretend to go to bed. If Maya and Cole are there, they need to feel like it’s a safe place.”

  “Why are you convinced they are there?” I wonder. “They’ve never been in the shed. The times we’ve spent at your parents’ were at the stables and the main house.”

  “I’m not convinced, but it’s a hunch. Just go with it.”

  Miller passes us, dangling his keys. “Let’s roll. Better than sitting here fucking watching the clock.”

  “I’ll stay behind,” Stephanie offers.

  We pile into Miller’s truck, and on the way to the Graham’s, Darby explains the theory Stephanie and she worked through. Actually, it’s more like Stephanie beat down doors until she got a hold of a detective friend that works with runaways. Maya and Cole aren’t runaways. They are confused, young children. Maya is twelve now and most likely knows enough about the biology of how babies are made. If she’s heard Connie ranting and read the papers, she’s probably figured out that she and Cole weren’t planned.

  The fiery burning lead in my stomach scorches hotter, thinking about the way Connie unashamedly performed today. If Maya overheard any of that, there’s no telling where her mind is. I have a feeling this is what a detective will be telling us tomorrow morning when he shows.

  Annie and Edward’s house is dark when we drive around the far side of the property.

  “You two wait here,” Darby tells our brothers, taking my hand and leading me quietly across the yard.

  “Let me go in first,” she whispers, using the hidden key.

  “I’m with you.”

  “Then hang back a few steps. You’re a very scary shadow.”

  She creeps inside, moving through the rooms, expertly maneuvering around the furniture. At the entrance to the bedroom, she stops, stands, and in the darkness, I can make out the flash of her white teeth as she grins.

  I join her to find two shapes under the covers. My arm jets around her waist while the other braces on the doorframe as everything seeps out of my body. I send a silent prayer to God.

  “May I?” Darby mutters softly.

  All I can do is nod, unable to look away. She sidles up to the bed and lays a hand on the small form who jumps. “It’s Darby.”

  “Darby?” Maya’s little voice is skeptical. “You’re here?”

  “Yes, sweet girl. I have your dad with me. Can I sit down?”

  Maya scoots, and Darby lowers herself. “Can I turn on the li
ght?”

  There’s a rustling of movement before the room is bathed in dim light. Cole pops up his face, darting his eyes around, and when he spots Darby, he launches across the bed. “Darby!”

  Maya knifes up, joining him in her arms, and I can’t stand back anymore. I step forward, covering all of them with my body and arms.

  “Daddy, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to ruin your life!” Maya cries, and fuck me if I can’t respond over the stinging in my throat.

  “Oh, Maya, you are so, so wrong. You didn’t ruin your dad’s life. You two are everything to him,” Darby soothes.

  “That’s not true. It’s because of us he didn’t marry you and have your own children,” she continues.

  My loathing of Connie heightens to impossible notches. “Maya, that’s not true.”

  “Can y’all look at me?” Darby asks gently.

  They give her a little space, and she glances at me briefly before cupping both their cheeks. “I am marrying your dad.” She sucks in a deep breath in warning of what’s coming. “And your dad and I did have our own child. He didn’t make it. You are way too young to understand the details, but the important thing is that you know you had nothing to do with it.”

  Maya’s face goes pale because she understands completely.

  “We’re in a lot of trouble, aren’t we?” Cole’s blue eyes are wide and scared.

  “You scared the shit out of everyone. What were you thinking?” I control the tremor in my voice.

  “It’s my fault. I convinced him to come with me. It wasn’t the plan to run away.”

  “You weren’t running away?”

  “Not really. I just wanted to get away, and I didn’t think it through. Then I got scared. We didn’t have anywhere else to go. We got here, and I decided to find Mrs. Annie in the morning. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

  “Why don’t you try?”

  “How about we message Miller and spread the word we’ve found them and they’re fine. Then we need to let Connie know.”

  At the mention of Connie, Maya’s face goes stark white. Cole slides a few inches closer to Darby. “Maya, we know what’s been happening at your mom’s. She’s not taking you away from me,” I try to assure her.

  Their shoulders slump, relief extending across their faces. Boots pound up the stairs and through the space, Miller and Evin rushing in.

  “Thank God,” they clip.

  “Get Annie and Edward, and let Mom and Dad know we’re going home.” I take another look at Maya and Cole, dislodge myself from our huddle, and leave to make the call to Connie.

  Chapter 35

  Darby

  All eyes are on me as I descend the stairs with Jill. Maya and Cole are asleep, both of them seemingly unscathed after the events of the day. Pierce stands across the room, as far away as possible from where Connie sits with her parents. He holds his hand out to me, and I signal to give me a second. The room is uncomfortably silent, the tension thick. My parents went home, but Evin refused to leave while Connie was still here. Even with the traumatic events of what happened, his focus is on me.

  I go to the kitchen, open a bottle of wine, and pour three generous glasses, taking two to Jill and Stephanie. It may only be daybreak, but we deserve this. I take Pierce’s elbow and lead him to sit across from the Webbers.

  Mr. And Mrs. Webber are flanked on each side of Connie, slumped in exhaustion and fatigued. Their loyalty to Connie is being tested since they learned her quest for revenge. Apparently, once the truth came out, they saw a different side to their daughter. It was obvious they were terrified over the children missing, but they were even more upset when Maya told her version of what she had witnessed, overheard, and read with her mother’s attempt to take them away from Pierce.

  Connie stares straight ahead, avoiding me. Her eyes are hollow, bloodshot, and loaded with grief. There actually are signs of guilt over her actions. Or it could be a mask to cover the humiliation of her children admitting to the officer involved, and a room full of people, they wanted to stay with Pierce indefinitely.

  It could also be that they requested me to join Jill in getting them ready for bed. I tried to decline until Pierce shot me the most gorgeous look of appreciation and gratitude. Knowing her children chose me over her had to sting.

  I didn’t know the Webbers well all those years ago, but I’d run into them a few times. They, like everyone, thought I’d left town to nurse a broken heart, so they assumed Connie’s pregnancy was the result of Pierce moving on to better things in life.

  It is time to set the story straight. That is why I requested to speak to Connie. Pierce wanted her out of his house, Evin forbid me being alone with her, and Stephanie advised witnesses so she couldn’t twist my words later. I thought it was overkill to have the audience, but no one agreed.

  Connie doesn’t deserve my secrets, but I’ll do anything to end this for Pierce. And he’d never deceive my trust by outing the truth. It has to be me.

  “Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t run off on Pierce. I had my reasons,” I start, and Pierce’s head whips to me at the same time a breath hitches behind us.

  “Don’t do this, Darby,” Miller grunts sharply.

  I shoot him a thankful glare before continuing. “In May, thirteen years ago, Pierce and I found out I was pregnant. It was a beautiful surprise.”

  I may be ready to spill, but Connie is getting the clean and basic version of my story.

  “We were already planning to get married, so that was simple, and I was going to move in with him and Miller until we found our own place. August of that year, I lost our son. It was an ugly miscarriage that neither of us knew how to deal with.” Stephanie’s hand lands on my shoulder, and Pierce slips closer, his hand covering my lower abdomen. Connie’s eyes heat at him touching me with tenderness. She never got this. Even when fully round and carrying the kids, he didn’t show affection.

  “I didn’t react well and, for the sake of privacy, left town to seek counseling. Only a few people knew, and Pierce was not one of them. He tried to track me down, find me, pull me back from drowning in misery. But I didn’t allow it. He turned to alcohol and marijuana to dull his own grief. Nothing about him was stable or predictable, and his own family couldn’t help. We all know you saw this.”

  Connie squares her shoulders, slicing her eyes to each side before landing on mine. “What are you implying?”

  “I’m not implying anything, only stating the facts. Miller, Jill, and Warren were trying their best but couldn’t break through. I was selfish and dealing with my own heartache. I live with that regret every day, not thinking about what was happening to him.”

  “That’s enough,” Pierce grates out.

  “No, I want to know what’s Darby’s getting at,” Connie says.

  “We’re sorry to hear about your loss, but I agree with Connie. Why are you telling us this, and what does it have to do with anything?” Mrs. Webber eyes me wearily.

  “Because, while I was working on myself, Pierce was wallowing in self-destruction, and his senses were impaired. Connie was by his side, matching him hit for hit and shot for shot.” I lock eyes with Connie, speaking directly to her now, ignoring our audience. “You encouraged him to bury himself in that dark place, and then you mapped out a plan to take advantage of him.”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about. What happened between Pierce and me is none of your business.”

  “You’re right; it’s none of my business. The only reason I’m telling you this is because, sometime today or tomorrow, I’ll be making a formal statement as a character witness on his behalf. You chose to bring me into your custody fight, painting me as the reason he should lose his children. I can’t let that happen. After today, it may not be necessary, but I’m hoping the judge will see your bitter battle started as a honeytrap.”

  At the term honeytrap, Mr. Webber bolts to attention, his eyes swinging between Connie and me. “That’s a very farfetched accusation. Not to m
ention, now is not the time to sling insults after what we’ve all been through today. We’ve accepted the fact that Pierce is making life changes and settling down, even if he chose you over the mother of his children,” he sneers as if the thought alone is repulsive.

  “What we went through today could have been avoided if Connie would let go of her vindictive jealousy and accept the only thing she will ever get from me is my love for our children. And, yes, the timing fucking sucks, but it’s time you both stop living in denial and accept the truth,” Pierce snaps at them. “I know you expected me to marry Connie and make a home with her, and I know you’ve always been disappointed in my decisions. But Connie and I didn’t have a relationship.”

  “But you have children together!” Mrs. Webber looks appalled. “Certainly, you had some sort of relationship!”

  “Connie, you want to step in here and explain this?” The already thick tension in the room grows heavier as Pierce gives Connie the chance to explain in her own words.

  Every eye in the room is glued to her. She looks between her parents and slumps deeper. She knows she’s been beat. Pierce is about to expose her charade to everyone. “Pierce and I never had a relationship, but I thought getting pregnant would change his mind.”

  I blow out the breath I’m holding, hearing the same behind me. A low growl rumbles from him, but my focus is on the Webbers. They are horrified.

  Pierce’s suspicions are finally confirmed. She carefully orchestrated getting pregnant to trap him.

  “The one thing you can’t deny or question is my dedication to Maya and Cole. You were kept in the dark, but Connie always knew the score. She did try to trap me by using our kids as emotional blackmail. Out of respect for you, I’ve never spoken harshly about your daughter, always taking responsibility for my actions. She has her version of how things happened with us, and she’s made me out to be a villain. But now you’ve seen firsthand how she’s been behaving. She tried to take my kids from me because I’m marrying another woman, for fuck’s sake.”