Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) by Sierra Rayne Read Free Book Online

chattering on and on about the Fourth of July celebration this year and I know it’s all working up to something. “I want you to come home for the celebration,” she finally comes out with it.
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I answer. She persists and I’m so exhausted I just can’t fight the fight. I end up agreeing just to get her off the phone. I need a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.
    The next few weeks pass quickly. Mr. Hawthorne’s back to his usual bossy self. No warmth like the night of the dance but no over the top asshole either. I can handle that. It’s the week before the Fourth of July weekend and I have requested Friday off. Mr. Hawthorne’s fine with it because he won’t be back in the office after Wednesday.
    After work on Thursday, I head for the LaGuardia airport and catch my flight to the LEX airport in Lexington, KY. Mother and Carter are waiting when I arrive. The two hour ride home is quiet. Mother asks what’s wrong but I pass it off as being tired from work and the flight. When we arrive home, it’s very late. Mother asks if I’d like something to eat and I decline. “I’m tired Mother. I’d really just like to unpack and go to bed.” I finally crawl into bed and it feels so good. I’m in my own bed, one of the many things I miss about home. Sleep comes quickly.
    I rise early the next morning. After dressing, I head downstairs. Mother and Carter are already at the dining room table having breakfast so I join them. “There’s so much to be done before tomorrow,” Mother begins. “I need to go by the caterers and the decorators. The florist asked me to stop by to confirm the color of the table centerpieces. Then, there’s my hair and nail appointment this afternoon. Sheridan, would you like to come along with me? I’m sure I could get Johnny to fit in for a little pampering.”
    Sure, a trip into hell with the devil’s sister sounds great!… my inner witch quips. “I’d rather not. Donna’s coming over and we’re going to hang out here for the day, if that’s okay.”
    Mother looks disappointed, “Of course it’s okay. This is your home.” Yeah sure, a home I was practically driven out of. Mother goes about her errands and Carter disappears to somewhere unknown.
    Donna arrives around noon and I’m so glad to see her. I’ve missed her beyond belief. We grab some lunch and head out to lay by the pool. “So, tell me all about your life in New York,” she insists. I tell her about my apartment, the music I’ve been writing and my job. I tell her how demanding my boss is and how strange things have been with him. From the night at the dance club to my explosion in his office.
    “Damn girl, you’ve grown a backbone!! I’m so proud of you,” she exclaims. Then she gets serious, “Sounds like your boss is into you. Be careful. You never know who someone really is.” I want to tell her that I know all too well what she is talking about, but I don’t. That would mean revealing the dirty little secret and that couldn’t happen. We talk for hours and hours. As she leaves that night, I make sure she is coming back for the celebration tomorrow night.
    The next morning, I lie in bed thinking of how difficult it was getting out of Mother’s grasp last night and wondering how I’ll avoid her most of today. I finally resign myself to the fact that I’ll have to spend some time with her so I rise and get ready for the day. I wander down stairs where Mother and Carter ask me to join them for breakfast. I decline, “No thank you. I’m really not hungry.”
    Mother starts to insist but is interrupted when we hear a loud roar coming up the hill to the house. We all look at each other and head to the front door. Once outside, we see a figure on a Harley coming our way. Carter looks at Mother with a smile, “That’s my son.” The man coming at us looks vaguely familiar but I can’t put my finger on it. When he enters the circle driveway and gets closer to