by Toni Aleo
I’m stunned to silence. My eyes narrow. “As much as I want it, Father, I don’t know where to start.”
“Then maybe the leadership position will motivate you to do everything you can to find a place to start and bring her home before the formula kills her.”
I look to Samuel, and his gaze is on mine. “Maybe start with the Kelleys or even the Conners? Not saying how, but telling them you know Ryland is alive?”
I look back to my father, and he looks as desperate as I feel. “Please, Oceanus. I know we’ve had our differences, but I promise, I’ll give you everything if you just bring your sister home.”
I’m torn. Can I trust him? And what if I can’t find her? Not only will she die, but I won’t get what is mine. Can I do this? I let her go because she wanted it, but how do I tell her that she’ll die if she doesn’t come back? Will she believe me? “And if she doesn’t want to come?”
“Make her. The Works being yours should motivate you.”
It does, but I’m worried. “And if I don’t find her?”
“Then it will still be yours.”
Wow, he really is desperate to find her, and that worries me. Is he setting me up for failure? Will it be like my Patchwork Ceremony, when he put an escape clause?
Holding his gaze, I say firmly, “I want it in writing, in black and white.”
“Fine,” he says, and then he is writing frantically. When he hands me the sheet of paper, his signature is under one sentence.
In two weeks’ time, my son, Oceanus von Stein, will be the leader of the Works.
I read the line once more and confirm the paper has today’s date, and then I look to my father. “I will find Rebekah and bring her home, but not for you. For her.”
And maybe I’m finding her for me too.
For my happiness.
Climbing the steps of the large Victorian home, I reach for the door knocker. I’m surprised how nervous I am.
Am I doing the right thing?
When the door opens, Taegan’s eyes widen as she pulls the door toward her. “Oceanus?”
“Is your father home?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Good,” I say, reaching for her. But she moves out of my way, and it crushes me. I look down as I take a step back to give her room to step onto the porch, shutting the door behind her.
“What are you doing here?”
I meet her pain-filled gaze, and I know I did that. I know I hurt her. “I tried calling and texting you.”
“I know, I ignored it.”
“Why?”
“’Cause it hurts, Oceanus, so damn badly.”
“I know,” I agree. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you here?” she asks, and I can see she is fighting back tears. I didn’t want to make her cry, that wasn’t my intention, and I think maybe I’m too late. Maybe she is starting to get over me. Maybe I should just go away, but holding her gaze, I know I can’t.
I love her.
Licking my lips, I shrug. “Are you over me?”
She scoffs. “Please, be real. What do you want?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I still love you, Osh. But it hurts ’cause I can’t be with you!” she yells, and then the tears start to fall. “Seeing you, I only want to kiss you, hold you, and I can’t because I’m going to marry someone else by the end of the month!”
“Don’t.”
Her brows shoot up as she looks at me disbelievingly. “What?”
“Don’t marry him. Marry me.”
“What?” she repeats, her eyes widening even more. “What in the world are you talking about?”
“I’m going to change the laws, and when I do, I want you to marry me.”
She only blinks. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s too much to explain right now, my love. But believe this, you will be mine. I will marry you, and we will have the children we both very much want together. Because there is no other future for me but one with you.”
Her eyes narrow and are full of caution as she says, “This isn’t funny. Stop messing with me.”
“I’m not,” I say as I reach into my pocket before falling to my knee. “I want to marry you, Taegan Conner. I want you to be mine and love me for the rest of your life. So will you wait for me? Will you be mine for the rest of your life?”
She doesn’t move; she just looks down at me with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open. “You’re serious.”
“As ever, but can you push the wedding to Kerrigan back? Give me time?”
She blinks and looks away, thinking it over. “Yeah, I can. I’ll figure it out. I will.”
“Then, will you, Taegan Conner, marry me?”
When her lips start to curve, my body goes still. I’m never more struck by pure beauty as I am every time I look into my love’s eyes. “Yes, Oceanus, I will because I’ll forever be yours.”
When her arms wrap around me, I take her into my embrace before standing up. Our mouths meet with feverish need. Holding her tight, I move my mouth against hers, and I feel complete. Pulling back, I look into her beautiful blue eyes and smile. “Take that filth off your hand,” I demand, and she grins as she pulls off the ring that was sent to her by her former fiancé. Putting her on her feet, I slide the gold band I brought onto her finger before kissing it.
“It’s plain—”
“It’s perfect,” she says, and I smile.
“I have to go find my sister, but when I come back, everything will change. I promise,” I say, and she nods eagerly.
“Wait? Where is Rebekah?”
“She’s run away, but don’t worry, I’ll find her. And then it will be time for us to be happy.”
“I can’t wait,” she whispers against my lips, and as my eyes fall shut, I know in my bones that I can’t wait either.
For Taegan Conner to be my wife.
For my sister to be immortal.
And for the chance to be the leader the Works needs.
It’s my time.
Just as soon as I find my sister.
Thank you so much for supporting my paranormal series. I know it’s very different from the hockey I usually write—and love! But I had this series in my head, and I had to get it on paper before it drove me insane. Well…more insane than usual.
I hope you love Oceanus and Taegan as much as I do. And I hope you’ll come back later this year for the conclusion of Rebekah and Ryland’s story in Pieced Together.
Love,
Toni
Assassins Series
Taking Shots
Trying to Score
Empty Net
Falling for the Backup
Blue Lines
Breaking Away
Laces and Lace
A Very Merry Hockey Holiday
Wanting to Forget
Overtime
Rushing the Goal
Pucks, Sticks and Diapers
Face-off at the Altar
Delayed Call (Coming Soon)
In the Crease (Coming Soon)
Bellevue Bullies Series
Boarded by Love
Clipped by Love
Hooked by Love
Taking Risks
The Whiskey Prince
Becoming the Whiskey Princess
Patchwork Series
(Paranormal)
Pieces
Broken Pieces
Pieced Together (Coming Soon)
Standalones
Let it be Me
Make sure to check out these titles and more on Toni’s website.
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Copyright © 2017 by Toni Aleo
This book, Broken Pieces, is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, livi
ng or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.
Editing by Lisa A. Hollett, Silently Correcting Your Grammar
Cover by Kellie Gunderman
Interior design and formatting by:
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