Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) by Rissa Blakeley Page B

from the gym.”
    “All right. Thank you,” Gunther muttered and started to turn around.
    My lip rolled into a snarl. “You…stay.” I was going to give this headfuck a piece of my mind, even though my fists couldn’t do the talking for me. “Go ahead, Elaina.”
    “I can stay,” she worried, biting her lip.
    “I said to go!” I barked, then grabbed my head. “Damn it all to hell,” I growled. She opened the door and slammed it shut. I hissed. It took me a second, but I looked up at Gunther. My face was twisted into something so angry, it had to look frightening. That was my hope, at least. “One isn’t enough for you?” I snapped.
    “Listen… I’m happy with what I have.”
    “And what exactly do you have?”
    “I have Quinn. That’s all.”
    “You stay away from Elaina or, so help me, I will tear your motherfucking throat out. Are we clear?”
    “Big words coming from a man who hasn’t been out of bed in days. You must have forgotten I’ve kicked your arse a few times before. I can do it again.”
    “Fuck you, old man.”
    Gunther glared at me. “Elaina needs support and, seemingly, all you have done lately is drink yourself into a stupor. You always were a lush.”
    “You don’t know what it’s like!”
    “Oh, I don’t? I don’t know what’s it like to be sick? Or beaten? Or tortured? Try never having parents and being bred specifically for that fucking program.”
    “My mother was murdered…or so I thought. And I don’t have a father. So we’re even on that.” I looked away from him, picturing the beating and rape again. “You don’t know what it’s like to have addiction issues.” The shame of my situation was raw.
    We were silent for a few seconds before Gunther decided to take a seat. I could see his need. His hands traveled all over his body, rubbing his neck, muscles, joints, and lower back. “Listen. I’m not trying to steal Elaina away from you. Don’t let paranoia take over. I cannot stress this enough. My only desire is Quinn . My heart beats for her, much like yours does for Elaina. I almost put a bullet in my head not that long ago and she… Christ. I don’t know how to behave with women, okay? I’m only good at fucking and fighting, mate. There, I said it. I don’t know how to be a friend.”
    I shook my head, then started laughing. “Are you for real?” I laughed harder. “Shit. My head is killing me and you say something like that.” I roared from the hilarity of it.
    “I don’t see the humor in this. Seriously. Stop being a fucking prat.”
    I couldn’t stop laughing. “I’m sorry. It just reminded me what Elaina told me.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    I was laughing so hard, I could barely speak. “When you were in the gym with Quinn… Elaina was going to see if Quinn wanted to help her and Cora with planting. When she got to the gym door she heard…things.”
    His mouth dropped open. “Shit. I was teaching her how to fight and then we… Well, obviously you know what happened.” Tears from my ridiculous laughter trickled down my cheeks. “Please, tell her not to say anything to Quinn. She would be mortified.”
    I was able to stop laughing for a second. “Consider it done.”
    “I appreciate that. I’ve got to get Quinn aside. I’m hurting.” He stood and rolled his neck. “Nice talking to you, you tosser.” I started laughing again. “Fuck you, mate. Christ. You know, you’re a piece of work.” He waved his hand at me and headed for the door.

    When Gunther opened the door, Elaina fell into him. He closed the door before Henry saw or heard anything.
    “Everything okay? Did you get them set up?” She shook her head. “Is that prat, Eli, being impossible?” Again, she shook her head. “Then what’s going on?”
    “I haven’t gotten there yet.”
    “So you were standing here the whole time?” She nodded. “Why?”
    “I was afraid what would happen. Plus, I’m spent. I don’t think I could walk another step.”