Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) by Rissa Blakeley Read Free Book Online

either.
    “Fuck,” she snapped.
    Before deciding to try outside, she checked her waistband to make sure her gun was in place. She was so used to the feel of it being jammed back there, it was a rare occasion when she actually felt the gun against her skin.
    Elaina left the safety of the interior walls and stopped to listen for any sounds. There was chatting coming from behind the building. She turned the corner and stopped dead in her tracks.
    Gunther was shirtless, hanging upside down on the bars at the playground, doing crunches. His physique was absolute perfection. At one time, Henry had a great body, but he had gone soft since starting his heavy drinking. She couldn’t even begin to describe Gunther. He wasn’t a musclehead, but he was large, trim, and very well-defined. He pulled himself up and, somehow, managed to get into a pull-up position in one slick move.
    Elaina headed over to the playground. “You know, Captain Show Off, there’s a small workout room inside.”
    Gunther looked up, jumped off the bar and shook his arms out. “Really? Hadn’t noticed,” he said with a laugh as Quinn tossed him his shirt.
    “I can show you, if you want. I’m surprised you haven’t found it yet.”
    “I know where it is. I just enjoy working out outdoors. I was actually going to go for a run after I warmed up a bit.” Planting his hands on his hips, he gazed around the half-demolished town.
    “Well, I could use your help before you go. He’s in need, and Claire used to hook me up. He’s in no shape to do it.” Her embarrassment of Henry’s situation spread further.
    “Lead the way,” Gunther said and waved her toward the door.
    Quinn followed Elaina and Gunther in, retreating to their room instead of going with them to Elaina and Henry’s.
    Elaina opened the door and Henry was lying on his back with his hat over his eyes…again.

    When the door opened, I groaned, but didn’t look. Fuck that. I wasn’t going to allow any more light in my eyes until my head quit the spinning, sledge hammer to the temples routine.
    “Gunther’s here,” Elaina muttered, an air of annoyance in her voice.
    I raised my hand, briefly acknowledging his presence.
    “How you feeling, mate?” Gunther asked with mild amusement.
    His smirk was evident from his voice. “Fucking fantastic,” I mumbled.
    I heard shuffling around, a couple chuckles, then a zipping sound. The hushed murmur of his flirtatious voice and her innocent tone infuriated me.
    “Have a seat. Ready, sweetheart?” The chair creaked, telling me Elaina squirmed around in it.
    Oh hellll, no. This is not happening. There is no way she can be taken in by that sexaholic twat.
    A small panic attack set in, but it was easily hid under my hat. My love couldn’t possibly be falling for another, and the thought of it being him made it feel like a thousand centipedes were crawling around the surface of my skin.
    His voice broke through my thoughts. “Elaina?”
    “Huh? Oh, yes. Sorry. I get nervous doing this.”
    No, she doesn’t. She hasn’t in a while.
    “That’s all right. I will try to be as gentle as possible.” The sound of her breath catching in her throat made me want to gut the son of a bitch. “You sure you’re okay?”
    “Yes, just do it,” she snipped.
    “How much?”
    I was ready to flip. Then she cleared her throat as if she was trying to control herself. I wish she would because it was the last thing I needed. “Three vials are fine,” she said in haste.
    The distinct sounds of a vials being switched leveled out the tension. I heard the sound of the elastic tube releasing off her arm, then the unhooking.
    “You all right?” he asked her.
    If I had the energy, I would have answered for her. I faded out, but I wasn’t completely out of it. Their voices echoed in my head.
    “What the hell?” Gunther grumbled.
    “What?” Elaina’s voice drifted through.
    “He’s sleeping again.” Then he yelled in my ear, “Henry!”
    I sat straight up.