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

us, it hits me. Holy ice balls in hell, it’s Mr. Hawthorne .
    He turns off the engine, climbs off the bike and takes off his helmet. Son of a bitch, Damien Blade Hawthorne is my friggin’ step brother. He walks over and hugs his dad. Carter introduces his son to Mother. Blade hugs Mother and gives her a small peck on the cheek. They turn to me and he smiles wide. Carter begins to introduce us and Blade interrupts, “No need for introductions, Carter. Sheridan and I know each other.” Mother and Carter look confused and surprised.
    “Yes we do. Mr. Hawthorne is my boss and evidently he’s my step brother, as well.”
    He smugly announces, “It’s only Mr. Hawthorne at the office.” Mother and Carter begin to laugh and we all go inside.
    Carter and Blade spend most of the morning in the den catching up. Mother’s making calls to ensure everything will be ready this evening. I take a walk around the grounds trying to walk off some nervous energy. I’d been so occupied that it hadn’t hit me, until this morning that I am back in this town. Back in the town where he lives. Back in the town where the nightmare began. Then I have a debilitating thought. Surely Mother has not invited him or his family. Even she couldn’t be that brain dead and thoughtless, could she? I have to find a moment to pull her to the side before the celebration and make sure. I head back into the house to wait for my opportunity.
    Its noon and everyone’s headed into the dining room for lunch. Mother motions me toward the dining room, “Sheridan, it’s time to eat darling.”
    “I’m not hungry. You guys go ahead without me,” I insist.
    “Sheridan Paige Stollings, you will join us. I’ve only seen you eat once since you’ve been home. You were thin before and you have lost weight since moving to New York,” she chastises me. I don’t want to make a scene in front of Mr. Hawthorne….Blade. I’m already embarrassed as hell. Even though I want to bitch slap my mother, I say nothing and head into the dining room.
    Carter and Blade are talking about the stock market, but Blade keeps looking at me like he expects me to say something. Hell, I don’t know anything about that shit. “Sheridan, I wish you had come with me yesterday,” Mother slices through their conversation. “I think you’re going to love the colors in the centerpieces, they’re red, white and blue roses.”
    “I bet they’re gorgeous. I didn’t even know you could get blue roses,” I try to sound interested.
    “I think they dye the white ones. Oh, and Johnny asked about you. He said to give you a hug from him.”
    I nod as I shove the food around on my plate, taking a bite from time to time so Mother thinks I’m really eating. Everyone’s almost finished when Mother decides to be Mother, “Sheridan, dear, I’m so proud of you. You’ve done so well since moving to New York after the incident.” Motherfuck , she did not just say that!
    Blades eyes shoot up from his plate and lock on mine, “The incident?” he questions.
    “Oh it’s nothing, Mother’s always overly dramatic,” I shoot my Mother a shut the fuck up stare. I rise from the table, “I’m going for a walk,” and exit the house before my anger can take over.
    I walk, almost run, down to the gazebo and slump down on a seat inside. I can’t believe she just did that. I knew coming back here was not a good idea. How the hell did I let her talk me into this? I’m such a fucking idiot. I’m so lost in thought and anger that I don’t realize Blade has come down to join me. He steps inside the gazebo and startles me. “Sorry baby girl. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says as he sits down beside me.
    “It’s fine. I’m just a little jumpy.”
    “So, I sense a little tension between you and your mom,” he says almost questioningly.
    “I don’t remember a time when there hasn’t been tension between me and Mother. It’s the norm as far as our relationship goes,” I answer, “but