Chained Hands (Chained Hearts Duet Book 1) Read online

  It does as intended.

  Hit the bullseye.

  The pain I feel is immeasurable, but I say nothing.

  “And we have discovered she wants me. And every man wants to be wanted by his life partner, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

  Keir walks over to my bed and places his hand on my foot. “You aren’t right for me.” His words are sharp, clear, decisive, and for some reason, they almost devastate.

  Why do they hurt? That’s what confuses me the most.

  “Not right for you?” I ask, sitting up straighter in the bed. He moves back, and it agitates me. I swing my legs off the bed and stand to confront him. “I’m not right for you?” I ask again and shake my head. “You are day and night … do you know that?” He gives me a puzzled look. “The two can’t do the same thing, yet you tried several times. You give me all the right words. Sunlight. Then you take them away. Darkness. But want to know the best part?” I step up closer to him. “I don’t give a flying fuck. I told you from the beginning we would never work. I hate your life, and you could never live in mine. So go …” I wave my hand toward the door. “Go, run to your crazy future baby mama, who I might add, could slit your throat one night in your sleep because that’s how fucked-up she is.” I’m yelling now and I don’t care.

  The door opens, and Joey puts his head inside the room, looks around, then backs back out.

  “Sweetheart.” He steps forward, hand touching my cheek, and I brush it away angrily. “If I wanted you, I could have you.”

  That makes me laugh. “No, you could not,” I say through gritted teeth.

  A knock comes on the door, and it opens to reveal my parents.

  “Goodbye, Keir. It was nice knowing you.”

  I feel my parents’ eyes on us as he smiles and it touches his eyes. He leans in, kisses my cheek, and whispers, “I’ll be seeing you again, lollipop.” His words stun, leaving me feeling a bunch of jumbled emotions.

  “I hope to never see you again.” I whisper the words, but he hears them anyway.

  He turns and winks before he walks out the door.

  “What happened?” my mother asks, concerned. “He was demanding you stay with him. Now, he’s happy to let you go? I don’t trust him.”

  “Neither do I,” I say then smile.

  My parents left and plan to pick me up this afternoon once the doctor comes in with my discharge paperwork. I wait in that room all day, going through my bag, showering, brushing my teeth, getting dressed in normal clothes in the hopes that I will actually be discharged.

  The door opens, and I smile hoping it’s the doctor, but the person who walks through is anything but a doctor. Joey offers me a smile before he steps to the end of my bed. I turn my television off and give him my full attention. “Why are you here?”

  “Keir doesn’t know I’m here.”

  “So why did you come?”

  “That car accident you heard earlier.” He walks to the window and looks down. “That was Ellie.”

  My brows scrunch in confusion. “Come again?” I ask, not thinking I heard him correctly.

  “That was Ellie. Keir blew up her car.”

  His words shock me.

  My first instinct is to scream for security.

  “Are you here to get rid of me?” I ask.

  His hands clutch the footboard of the bed. “Ellie was working for Romarc. Are you?”

  I shake my head. “You mean the guy we went to dinner with?”

  “The exact one.”

  “That’s Keir’s friend. Why would I be working with him?”

  And it’s then I realize.

  Shit. What did Ellie do?

  “What did she do?”

  Joey smiles at my realization. “She tried to kill Keir.”

  Oh fuck.

  Oh fuck.

  “And you think I had something to do with it?” I ask. He simply nods. “What does Keir think?”

  “Keir can’t think clearly with you, so that’s why I’m here. To help.”

  “Help how?”

  He looks to the door to make sure it’s locked, then back to me. “You’ve fucked him enough, Sailor. Keir is known for being level-headed. No one gets under his skin, and no one fucks with him. It’s just who he is. He’s ruthless …” He pauses. “Now, tell me you had nothing to do with it.”

  “I didn’t, but I feel you already know that.” I smile at him before confirming what I know is the real reason he came. “You’re here to tell me not to come back. Or else. Correct?”

  He smiles, then nods. “You are clever, I can see the appeal,” he states. “But you would never work, no matter what he feels for you. It would never work, and you know that as well. Don’t you?”

  “I have been telling him this.”

  “I know, but Keir doesn’t listen. He realized today that, no matter what he feels, he can never trust you. He doesn’t know you well enough. And let’s be honest, Keir doesn’t trust anyone but himself.”

  “He trusts you.”

  “No, he doesn’t. And he’s right not to. Because he knows, no matter what, if something is a threat to him, even under strict orders, I would do what I think is right.”

  “Like killing me,” I point out.

  “Bingo.”

  “I’m not a threat,” I tell him. “I don’t plan to ever come back.”

  I’m not lying.

  I don’t plan to come back.

  Ever.

  “I believe you. It’s why I’m going to walk away right now. I hope to never see you again, Sailor.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” I respond, pointing to the door.

  Joey smiles as he opens it, and the doctor walks in past him and straight to me. “Sailor, how are you feeling?” he asks.

  I glance out the door to see Joey still hovering there.

  “Good. Ready to go home now.”

  He nods. “You’ve gained some movement in your fingers. You will still need physical therapy, but other than that you are looking great. I’m happy to discharge you today, but there is something that came back in your bloodwork that you may not be aware of.”

  “Oh, what?” I ask.

  “You’re pregnant. Congratulations.”

  My heart plummets in my chest.

  I immediately look out to where Joey is standing near the door.

  Did he hear that? By the look on his face, he did.

  The door opens, and Joey comes straight to my bedside, smiling brightly at the doctor. “Oh, wow. I just heard we’re going to have a baby. How far along do you think she is, doc?” Joey asks while I sit there stunned.

  Pregnant. I can’t be.

  “I can’t carry babies. I never make it far.”

  The doctor nods. “I’ve heard, but everything looks great right now. I’m going to set you up with an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. But from our tests and your last cycle which you told the nurses …” he looks down, then back to Joey, “… you are roughly six to eight weeks, but an ultrasound will tell us more.”

  He goes on to give me more information, and when he leaves, Joey remains and faces me. “It’s his, isn’t it?”

  My mouth is dry, and I don’t know what to say or do. “I don’t carry to term. I always miscarry.” A stray tear leaves my eye.

  “This is Keir’s baby, isn’t it?” he asks again.

  “I don’t know,” I tell him, but that’s a lie. I haven’t had sex with my husband for months. The only person I have had sex with recently is Keir.

  “Fuck,” he snarls, turning away. “This changes things.” He lifts his phone, and I call his name, stopping him.

  “I’ll miscarry. Don’t tell him. Trust me, I can’t carry a baby to term. Do not tell him. You know what he’ll do. Do not tell him,” I reiterate pleading with him.

  “He’ll kill us both if he finds out,” Joey says. “No matter what.”

  “How will he find out?” My voice is high as I squeak
out the words. “And by the time he finds out, there won’t be a baby.” Joey rubs his face and shakes his head. “Joey.”

  “Shut up, I’m thinking.” I bite my lip as he paces the room.

  When he stops, he turns to face me. “The minute you lose that baby, you tell me. Or I am telling him.” I nod my head eagerly. “We just signed our own death warrants.”

  “It will be worse for everyone involved if he knows, and you know it. I’m not meant to be in his life. I’m not meant to have a baby with him. Paige is.”

  Joey nods, then turns and walks out the door without another word.

  Fuck.

  I’m pregnant.

  * * *

  Eight months later.

  “Hello, sweetheart. I’ve missed you, lollipop.”

  Variety Gossip

  The King of the Underworld

  They say a love lost is not always from a quarrel, but maybe that’s the reason the king of the underworld is now single. No woman to be seen. After we spotted him leaving the hospital months ago without his little honey-brunette, who we might add he has seen more than once, he hasn’t seen her again.

  Insiders say it’s over and that she is long gone.

  I guess only time will tell.

  In the meantime, has anyone got any good dick pics from this man? We all want to know what he’s packing.

  * * *

  Get Book 2 HERE!

  First Chapter of My Beautiful Poison

  Rylee

  * * *

  My lip is bleeding. It tastes—I lick it again—sweet. I like the taste. Is that weird? I had heard it’s meant to have a metallic taste. But mine, well, it’s sweet. Maybe it’s the only thing about me that is sweet.

  My fingers touch the edges of my lips. The bleeding is slowing, but the throbbing intensifies.

  “Fuck, Rylee, really?”

  My hand drops away from my busted lip as I glance up at him.

  He’s shaking his head, his blond hair barely moving with all the product he uses. “See what you made me do? Fuck!” He swipes his face with his hand and stares at me with emotionless eyes.

  How could I have been so blind to those eyes for so long?

  “You should leave…” I somehow manage to whisper then lick my lips—I can still taste the sweetness of my blood.

  He tries to touch me again, but I step back dramatically.

  “Leave, Anderson,” I say with more force.

  He shakes his head and scrubs his face again.

  Really? How many times does he plan to do that? Doesn’t he know by touching his face he’s spreading germs?

  “Rylee, come on…”

  Sidestepping him, I open my bedroom door. “You better leave before I scream.” I blink a few times and then glare. “If you don’t, I’ll kick you where I know the sun doesn’t shine.”

  Anger rolls between his brows while his hands tighten into fists. “You need to watch your mouth,” he grates out through gritted teeth, his voice hard and unrelenting.

  “Ha,” I bark out, shaking my head. “Last strike.” I point to my face and then the door. “Now, leave and don’t come back.”

  Anderson takes a step in my direction then leans down so his face is close to mine. “They would never believe you over me. And even if they did, they won’t care. All they want is for you to marry me.” He smirks and steps toward the door. He lifts his hand, and I hold my flinch in as he grips the door handle. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Rylee.”

  I watch him step out the door and down my parents’ stairs, saying goodbye to them as he leaves.

  I hate him.

  What I ever saw in him, I’ll never know.

  It’s hard, but I need to get out of this house. My parents expect and want so much from me. Sometimes, I wish I had followed my sister, Rhianna, when she escaped the family business. To be honest, I don’t know why I didn’t leave with her. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time, but now regret chips away at my heart every single day. Every single minute. How do you combat what you want with what is right for you?

  With a hard push, I close the door and then slide down its surface. My hands cover my face as I draw my knees up under my chin.

  I’ve been dating Anderson since high school. He was the popular football player, and I was the good little rich girl.

  Our parents couldn’t be more pleased with our relationship. Fuck, they’re already planning our wedding and I’m only twenty-three.

  I don’t want to get married this young, and especially not to him.

  Anderson has his good days, but he has far too many bad ones. And let’s be quite serious here, I don’t want any days with him.

  I hear footsteps approach my door, and I know who it is straight away.

  “Ry, tell me you’re okay?” my little brother whispers, his concern floating to me through the closed door.

  “I’m fine, Beckham. I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell him with the strongest voice I can muster.

  He waits.

  He always does.

  He’s the only one who understands what Anderson is like, and he hates him for it. But, more importantly, he detests that I won’t leave him, and he can’t grasp the concept of why I stay. It makes him crazy angry, but I can’t seem to muster the energy to do what I know is right.

  It’s the pressure.

  The pressure from my family is simply too much.

  My father takes care of the accounts of some of the wealthiest people in Australia, and that extends to the rest of the world. I’m his only child who’s willing to, or even interested in, taking over the family business. I work with Father now, understanding the basics, as I have finally finished my degree in accounting. And soon, I will run it all. Which makes me happy. I like what I do—numbers and money makes me happy. I like to organize and find the number’s rightful place then fix any problems that arise in handling the accounts.

  Plus, I’m good at it.

  Really good.

  My sister is what you’d call a free spirit. She’s never done well listening to rules and prefers to travel and live her life the way she wants—carefree and easy-going. My brother is a football star. Even at his young age of sixteen, we all know he’s going places.

  So that leaves me, Rylee Harley, twin sister to Rhianna Harley and older sister to Beckham, to fill the spot that’s left open. Our parents want to retire, live a life of luxury, which my father deserves. He is one of the hardest workers I know. Dedicated. Loyal. Committed.

  I do adore them both, no matter what others think.

  Even if my mother is overbearing, she’s still my mother.

  It’s all about the pressure.

  The pressure to be perfect.

  And this crushes my spirit and steals pieces of me every day.

  Anderson is right at the top of the list of pressure.

  I did love him, once.

  He’s handsome, all the women want him, and I can’t blame them. Anderson comes from money, is athletic, and could charm the panties right off you. Which was what he did to me.

  I didn’t win any popularity contests in school like my sister. I kept my head down and was studious.

  Until Anderson.

  Then everyone knew who I was.

  I was no longer Rhianna’s quiet twin sister. I was Rylee, Anderson’s girlfriend, and I have been for way too long.

  My phone beeps, and I know immediately who it is. My head swings in that direction and I watch as it lights up, then goes dark. In exactly one minute, it’ll do it again. I watch, waiting. And like clockwork, it does just that. Lights up again.

  Now, he’s apologizing.

  And I will not read his texts.

  I don’t want to read them.

  Anderson set up my phone to show him when I read his messages, so he’ll know I haven’t. It’s just another way for him to control me.

  And another way I let him.

  Today wasn’t the first time he’s hit my face. He’s usually careful not to leave a mark like he�
�s done today, though. I lick my lip and still taste the blood lingering there.

  I never thought I would be one of those girls, but here I am.

  Staring at my phone from across the room, I and wishing it would disappear, I can’t stand to think about his fake apologies that lay on it.

  Taking a deep breath, I shake my head and stand. Reaching for my phone, I don’t open the messages like he wants me to. Instead, I walk it to my bathroom and fill the bathtub. I watch as the water stills when I turn the faucet off and then I smile as the phone slips from my hand and drops into the crystal-clear water.

  Tomorrow is the day I start living for me.

  Or so I keep telling myself.

  * * *

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  About the Author

  USA Today Best Selling Author T.L. Smith loves to write her characters with flaws so beautiful and dark you can't turn away. Her books have been translated into several languages. If you don't catch up with her in her home state of Queensland, Australia you can usually find her travelling the world, either sitting on a beach in Bali or exploring Alcatraz in San Francisco or walking the streets of New York.

  Also by T.L Smith

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  Pure Punishment (Standalone)

  Antagonize Me (Standalone)

  Degrade (Flawed #1)

  Twisted (Flawed #2)

  Black (Black #1)

  Red (Black #2)

  White (Black #3)

  Green (Black #4)

  Distrust (Smirnov Bratva #1) FREE

  Disbelief (Smirnov Bratva #2)

  Defiance (Smirnov Bratva #3)

  Dismissed (Smirnov Bratva #4)

  Lovesick (Standalone)

  Lotus (Standalone)

  Savage Collision (A Savage Love Duet book 1)

  Savage Reckoning (A Savage Love Duet book 2)

  Buried in Lies

  Distorted Love (Dark Intentions Duet 1)

  Sinister Love (Dark Intentions Duet 2)

  Cavalier (Crimson Elite #1)