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

I’d rather not talk about that.” He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. I wince at his touch, even though I try not to. I look down trying to hide my flushing face.
    “Oh no, baby girl. I told you, eyes up here,” he lifts my chin and locks eyes with me.
    “Why do you call your dad Carter and you have a different last name?” It’s my turn to question him.
    “It’s a long story and I’d rather not talk about that,” he responds.
    “I guess we both have our stories,” I smile back at him. We sit and talk and laugh for an hour. He seems almost normal. The stern, harsh and demanding Blade is gone. It’s so strange. He confuses me beyond belief.
    The workers have arrived to begin setting up for tonight’s event so we decide to go back inside. Blade heads out front to put his bike in the garage so it’s the perfect opportunity for me to speak with Mother. I find her and Carter in the family room. “Mother, I need to ask you something,” I begin. “I have to know if you’ve invited Jarrod Davis or any of the Davis family to the celebration.”
    “Sheridan,” Mother gasps as if someone just told her that her $3000 handbag is a knock off. “Of course I haven’t invited them. I would never put you through that. I can’t even believe you would feel the need to ask me that. You have wounded me.”
    My blood begins to boil, “You’re wounded?! What the fuck?! All three of us know that if inviting them would further your social stance in the community, they would be here. And I would still be in exile in New York, none the wiser. Don’t play the poor pitiful me card with me Mother, dear! It’s never been about me. I honestly don’t think you have ever cared about anyone but yourself.” By now the tears are streaming down my face.
    “Sheridan Paige, how could you sa…” she begins but Carter jumps in.
    “Shut the hell up, Sophia Lorraine. Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage here? I knew this was all a bad idea from the beginning. We should have gone to the authorities about Jarrod like I wanted to and Sheridan should have been here, at home, surrounded by people who love her. People who could help her through it. I should have set my foot down but I let you have your way as usual. Well, no more.” Mother is flabbergasted and just looks at him with her mouth gaped open but she is quiet for the first time that I can remember. I knew it. I knew Carter had more to say. I thought he was disappointed in me but he was actually disappointed in Mother.
    I stand there, looking at Carter and crying even harder. I’m stunned at how much he really does care for me. Blade appears in the doorway and his eyes immediately shoot to mine. “Is something wrong?” he asks and there’s so much hurt in his voice that I could swear he was feeling my pain. Carter walks over to me, hugs me and tells me he’s sorry then exits the room. Blade comes over and takes me by the hand. “Come on baby girl,” he says as he leads me from the room to the front of the house. He places his hands on each side of my face and brushes my tears away with his thumbs. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he whispers.
    “I can’t,” I close my eyes, “I don’t want to.”
    “Okay, later then. Have you ever been on a motorcycle?” he smiles. I shake my head no.
    “Well baby girl, you’ve been missing out. Come on,” he leads me to the garage. He picks up a helmet and straps it on me snuggly, “You gotta be safe, baby girl.” Then he puts on his helmet and sunglasses. He climbs on the bike and I get on behind him. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight,” he orders but in an almost caring way this time. I hesitate, I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t want to be touched and I don’t want to touch anyone either. He breaks into my thoughts, “Come on baby girl. You have to hold on to me.” I slowly put my arms around him and it’s not as bad as I had anticipated. It’s not an intimate thing so I think I