Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three)

by Blakeley, Rissa

  Snickering, she sat beside me. Still naked, I covered myself with the blanket. Rubbing the top of my head, I said, “So not cool, Elaina. If he finds out I said anything to you…”

  “I won’t say anything.”

  “You have to swear to me…”

  “Henry, who are you talking to here?”

  “I’m not sure. Is it Sarcasm Elaina or Teaser Elaina?” I bit out.

  “Oh, check and mate. Low blow, husband of mine. Keep in mind I can cut you off entirely.”

  “Touché!” I laughed, but she raised her eyebrow. “Shit.” Concern spread across my face. “Wait… Are you being serious? You would deny me?”

  “You want to try me?”

  “Not really.”

  “So talk,” she growled.

  I let out a sigh while scrubbing the beard on my face. “You remember how that last round of undeads were all wearing the same outfit and none of them looked to have been bitten?” She nodded. “Well, that was the same uniform we wore in the program.” Elaina sucked in a loud breath. “Yeah,” I muttered.

  “Do you two think they’re around here somewhere?”

  “Yeah. I mean, they would have to be. He had to have injected them and sent them on their merry way to flush us out.”

  “Holy shit, Henry. You think he’s here? How would he know how to find you? We could’ve been anywhere.”

  “I don’t know. But we have to be more vigilant.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We need to watch our backs more so than ever before.”

  “Don’t you think you should tell the others?”

  “I don’t want to scare anyone.”

  “You have to tell them something! They could slaughter us in the middle of the night! You have to get everyone together.”

  I looked off to the side. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

  “Because you think I’m overreacting?!”

  “Yes! Just let Gunther and I handle it. Once we think there’s a sure sign of danger, we’ll get everyone together.”

  Elaina’s fists clenched. “Maybe you missed the dozens of uniformed undeads? You have to give them some sort of warning.”

  “What do you want me to tell them?”

  “Just reaffirm that everyone is sleeping with their doors locked.”

  “You know as well as I do that locking a door isn’t going to make a bit of a difference. If he and his crew of headfucks want to come in here, they’ll find a way in.”

  “I don’t know, Henry. Maybe see if anyone has any questions or concerns about our living arrangements. Prepare them better. Do something. You can’t keep everyone in the dark. If we get attacked and they find out you knew it was coming, they will revolt against you.”

  She was right. “Goddamn it!” I slammed my fist on the bed. “We can probably do something like that. Let me go talk to Gunther.” I got up, pulled on my shorts, and headed out of our room.

  “Nice ass, hot stuff,” Elaina murmured, following me.

  As I knocked, I hoped I wouldn’t disturb the baby. Elaina waited behind me, tracing the lines of the tattoo on my back. Quinn opened the door. “Hey. Sorry to bother you. I hope we didn’t wake the baby.”

  “No, he’s awake. What can I do for you?”

  “Is Gunther around? I need to have a chat with him.”

  “Hold on a sec.” She peered over her shoulder. “Gun, Henry wants to talk to you.”

  Gunther came to the door, passing Grey to Quinn. “What’s going on?” He stood with his hands on his hips.

  “Can you come with me for a minute?” Gunther glanced at Quinn and she nodded. I thought it was funny he was asking permission to leave.

  “Quinn, is it okay if I hang with you while the men chat? I have a hankering to hold a baby.”

  With a single nod of my head, I reminded Elaina to keep her mouth shut. The last thing we needed was Quinn freaking out.

  “Of course. Come on in,” she said with a smile.

  Gunther and I headed back to my room. When we walked in, I leaned against the desk, contemplating how we should approach the others. “I was thinking…”

  “First time for everything, perhaps.”

  I glared at Gunther and he laughed. “Anyway, I think maybe we should talk to the others.”

  “No fucking way.”

  “We won’t tell them everything. Just like a ‘let’s see how things are going…any questions, concerns, et cetera’. Maybe reaffirm they are to be locking their doors at night. Just like a community meeting.”

  He inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Yeah, I think that might work. When do you want to do it?”

  “Why not now?” I asked.

  “Right. I’ll start banging on doors on this end. You’re going to have to go down to the other wing because I’ll kill that fucker if he even looks at me.”

  “Let’s do this.” I grabbed a t-shirt, then we both left to round up the community.

  Chapter 40

  Gunther and I made it to the doorway of the cafeteria at the same time. “I’ll do the talking.” My voice was firm. “You just back me. We need to look like a united front.”

  “Aye, aye, captain.” He saluted me, then laughed.

  “Would you fuck off with that shit?” I growled.

  One by one, the community filed in. I directed them to have a seat while they waited for everyone to make an appearance. There was a quiet murmur running through the small crowd, wondering what was going on.

  “Listen up.” They focused on Gunther and me. “We called everyone in here to have a short meeting. We think this is something we should do on a regular basis to touch base and go over any concerns. We want to know how everyone is managing, if there are any questions or complaints. And we want to quickly go over a few policies again for our own piece of mind. Please feel free to speak up if you have anything you would like addressed.” The community looked at one another. Savannah stood and I moaned quietly to myself. “Yes, Savannah?” I asked unenthusiastically.

  “Why can’t you leave the food unlocked? Every time any of us want to eat, we have to find one of your crew to get them to unlock it.”

  “As you know, we are rationing food. We need to ensure we have enough to get us through.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “That suggests you don’t trust anyone but your crew.”

  “Exactly. I know my crew will not abuse it. Since none of us have working watches or clocks anymore, setting meal times is not feasible. If anyone has a solution, feel free to speak up.”

  Chris stood. “Why not leave it open for a short time in the morning and once in the evening, since we are only allowed two meals a day. Then you can have one of your crew members in here at those times to keep a careful eye on things.”

  I leaned into Gunther and we agreed that Chris’ suggestion would probably work. “All right. We can do that. Anything else?”

  Savannah and Chris sat back down, and James stood. Gunther rolled his eyes and looked away. “Here we go,” he muttered.

  “Yes, James.” On edge, I could feel Gunther’s anger rolling off him.

  “I would like to know why there aren’t consequences for poor behavior.” Gunther laughed. Fuck. “That ape has pushed me around several times.”

  Gunther grumbled under his breath. I needed to catch him before he really did James in this time. “Calm down. I’ll handle this,” I said in a low voice. “Well, James, I haven’t had to deal with punishments of any kind yet. I am open to suggestions. Care to elaborate on what you would like to see happen?”

  “He should be locked up somewhere! If there was true law here, I would’ve pressed charges ages ago!”

  Quinn rose to her feet, Grey in her arms, and turned to face James. Shit. Goddamn. Fuck. Gunther’s lip curled up. The situation was about to turn ugly as he slipped into program mode. I grabbed his arm before he took a step. Quinn looked at James, a hard edge in her eyes. “You listen to me, and you listen to me really good. If ther
e was true law, I would have had you arrested for harassment. That man is only protecting his family!”

  “He nearly killed me! Doesn’t that upset you at all?”

  Quinn laughed. It was getting really awkward and the community didn’t need to witness the exchange. I whistled loudly. “Both of you outside right now!” As I stalked to the doorway, I was about ready to put my fist through the wall. Turning back to Gunther, I yelled, “And don’t you fucking move! Clear?” Gunther snarled at me.

  Tough fucking luck. He kept egging me on by calling me captain. Well, I was about to behave like one.

  I walked out of the cafeteria. Quinn handed Gunther the baby, and James followed right behind. He was only saved from being grabbed by the neck by Gunther holding the baby and James knew that. He smirked like the asshole he was as he walked past.

  “Jesus fucking Christ,” I growled, pacing back and forth in front of Quinn and James. “Neither of you is to speak until I’m finished. Let’s get something straight here. Quinn convinced me to let you stay because she’s kindhearted and felt mercy for you and all the people you traveled in with! She didn’t want to shuffle all of you out.”

  “But–”

  I pounced at James and stuck my finger in his face. “You shut the fuck up until I’m finished, or would you like to test me? Because I haven’t had a good row in a long time.” James shook his head. “That’s what I thought.” Pacing again, I said, “You need to remember this is my house. I run this place and when I say jump, you say how high. Are we clear?”

  “Yeah, I got it,” he muttered.

  “After this moment, you are not to be within a twenty foot radius of Quinn.”

  “Why am I being punished?” His snide behavior raked on my last nerve.

  “Because you are the root of the problem. He wouldn’t want to snap your neck if you weren’t such a huge asshole. You seem to think you can waltz around here and harass Quinn, which you’ve been doing since you walked through those doors. I’ve witnessed it myself. I figured I’d let Gunther handle it and scare you back into a corner. But you continue to push it. You were lucky, my friend, that I was there to save your slimy ass earlier. If I didn’t stop him, he would have slit your throat and watched you bleed out.”

  “He’s a psychopath! A killer! You said so yourself. Trained assassins!”

  Quinn looked at me in surprise.

  “My suggestion is if you see Gunther, walk in the opposite direction. Don’t provoke him. I don’t feel pity for fools who provoke the driven. And let’s just say he’s extremely driven when it comes to Quinn and Grey. Stay away from her, especially when she has the baby. As I told you before, he will do anything to protect his family. If you cannot abide by this, you will be kicked out or find yourself dead. You decide your own fate.”

  “Quinn, baby, tell him you want me to stay no matter what.”

  “Do not call me baby,” she grumbled. When Grey started fussing, she glanced over her shoulder, seeing Gunther doing his best to keep him calm. “My son needs me. Just keep your nose out of my life, and my future husband—that ape in there—will keep his hands off you!”

  Quinn stormed back into the cafeteria and took Grey from Gunther. Sitting, she started to nurse him.

  Gunther knelt in front of her. Wanting to know all the details of what was said, he asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Henry is telling him to stay away from me. If he sees you, he is to walk in the opposite direction or he will throw him out of here.”

  “What a clusterfuck this is. Of all the bloody places, why did he have to show up here?”

  “I know, I know. I’m sorry. We have to make the best of this situation. I just need you to control yourself a little more.”

  Gunther ran his hand through his hair. “I will.”

  She leaned in, whispering in his ear, “You know what good behavior gets you.”

  Thinking about Quinn giving him another reward, he groaned. “I’ll behave. I promise you that,” Gunther said with a wink.

  Just as he was standing, Henry and James walked back in. He kissed Quinn on the forehead and tenderly touched Grey’s foot before he went and stood with Henry again.

  “Sorry about that. Are there any more questions, requests, or complaints?” I grumbled. Not a single hand raised, nor did anyone stand up. Thank God for that because I was done, but I sensed an overall fear from everyone.

  “All right. I just want to reiterate that you need to lock your door at night, and no one is to venture outdoors without someone to stand guard.” Lauren got up, holding little Maggie. “Yes, Lauren.”

  “I would just like to thank you for keeping us all safe, fed, and allowing us to stay. You’re a good leader, and I appreciate all you have done for us and my family.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond to her kind words. “Thank you.” I paused and looked around. “Meeting adjourned.” I walked out of the cafeteria and waited for Elaina to join me. There was some serious tension coursing through my system. The only cure would be some untamed fucking.

  She came out in between Josie and Thomas. “Good meeting, Mr. President.”

  “Elaina, please don’t call me that.” I was miserable.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you wore panties because, obviously, they’re in a bunch.” She walked off, but I grabbed her arm.

  “I don’t like that title. It’s not suitable.”

  “I was joking. And, yes, it is suitable.”

  “No, it’s not, and I apologize.” She leaned in and kissed me. I interlaced my fingers with hers. “You do remember that you said if I told you…”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Well, let’s go. I’m in serious need of my wife.”

  We barely made it to our room before I was trying to tear her clothes off and touch her everywhere. I slammed the door shut with my foot and locked it.

  Trapping her against the door, arms pinned above her head, hips pressed against hers, I kissed her hard. While stripping both of us out of our clothes, I nipped at her jaw and ran my tongue down her neck. By the way she shuddered, all of her nerves had to be standing on end.

  The torture continued as I trailed nips and kisses down her body. I made it to her abdomen, then nipped at her heated, wet folds.

  She grabbed my head and pushed me into her. “Henry…,” she moaned, resting her head back on the door.

  It was such a bloody turn on when she moaned for me. My cock was pulsing in my shorts. Shortly after pushing two fingers into her, she fell apart. I stood and kissed her again.

  “You look and taste absolutely amazing, love. Intoxicating. Come on.” I picked her up and took her to our bed. She smiled as I pulled off my shirt and shorts, allowing my soldier to spring free. I hovered over her with my hands on my hips. “You like what you see?” I asked in a rather cocky manner.

  “Mmm-hmm. You have the body of a god, my dear husband.” I loved it when she complimented me. I worked bloody hard to get back what I had lost because of my drinking.

  Crawling on top of her, I pushed her back onto the bed, staggering kisses wherever I could. My hands touched and fondled every square inch of her perfect body. I grabbed her and rolled us over so she was on top of me.

  “You said any way I want, so I want you to take me, but in reverse. I want to watch you and enjoy the show.” She spun around and gazed over her shoulder at me with a smile. I lifted her and she slowly sank onto me. My breath left my body. “Oh fuck, love,” I groaned. “You feel so good wrapped around me.”

  “Yeah?”

  She circled her hips once and my eyes rolled back. “Fuuuck… You have no idea,” I panted.

  Elaina began the assault, rocking and tipping so she hit every nerve on my heavy cock, making me groan with every movement. She was so fucking sexy, her backside raising, then my soldier sliding back into her core. I reached around and massaged her while she continued to work me. Her body trembled as she tipped her head back. I grabbed her hair, twisting it in my fist and pulli
ng. She let out a gasp, her breathing going from panting to uncontrolled. When she came, it was hard, wet, and glorious.

  I flipped us over so we were missionary, then slammed into her, making Elaina cry out. Changing my pace, my jaw tightened and I hissed while slowly pulling out, then filling her again and again. She hated when I did that because it drove her to the point of insanity, which is why I did it. While watching her face and smirking, I waited for her to beg for more.

  “Come on, love. Say it.” Once again, I pulled out and slowly pushed back in. “I know you want to.”

  “Henry…”

  “I’m listening,” I murmured, torturing her a bit more.

  “More,” she whispered.

  “As you wish.”

  I plowed into her, pushing her to the edge in a snap. The familiar tingle ran up my spine, making my shoulders shake. Elaina rocked her hips up and met my next thrust. She wrapped her arms and legs around my body, squeezing me. I was only able to shift my hips slightly, which pinpointed all the pressure where she wanted it.

  In seconds, she shattered, crying out, deafening me. After a grunt and tucking of my head into her neck, my seed pulsed into her. I went limp on top of her for a few minutes as she traced her fingers up and down my back.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “I’m better than okay,” I mumbled into her ear. With what little energy I had left, I lifted my head and gazed at my beautiful wife. “I love you so much.”

  She smiled. “I love you, too, Mr. President.” I rolled my eyes as she winked.

  “You’re killing me, bird.” I pulled out, rolling over next to her.

  We both stared at the ceiling in silence for quite some time. I took her hand, then a slight sigh escaped my lips as I nodded off.

  This was my favorite spot to be.

  Chapter 41