Locked Hearts

Chapter Nineteen

One month later

RAELYNN POV

I stuck my numb hands into my pockets and leaned against the car. It was too damn cold. I watched as cars drove by, my mind still reeling. Grace still occupied a great portion of my mind. As much as I tried, nothing worked. Boxing, running, hiking, the shooting range. Fuck, I even tried to screw a random woman and I couldn't even kiss her. The only thing that I could think was 'I'm proving her right'. If I had sex with someone else, she'd be right, I'd be hurting her. It was pathetic really, we weren't even together. She hadn't answered my calls or texts. I wasn't even lucky enough to get a glance at her for the past month.

I knew she was alive and well, Lena said she came to work as usual. Things had been going good for Lena there. She was going to school and working there three times a week. Kelly and Grace made her feel welcome and made the transition easy.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Danny asked coming to stand near me.

"I feel stupid." I admitted.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Danny's head snap to my direction.

"You're actually admitting something?" He asked slowly.

I shrugged, not really caring. I mean, I already begged someone to give me a chance. I fucking begged! That woman was a damn witch, I don't care what any one says.

"She broke me. I can't sleep, I barely eat, I can't even look at another woman without feeling guilt eat at my soul." I said bitterly. "I feel like a pathetic fool." I spat. "Did I tell you I begged her?" I turned to him.

I saw that look, a look I never wanted anyone to give me. Pity.

"She was hurt, Rae. Badly. It's not easy to get over something like that. I'm sure she feels the same way, but her fear is going to hold her back. Her own sister broke her trust. Give her time." Danny looked up at the night sky.

"It's been a month." I mumbled. "She won't even talk to me. Maybe she was right, I would hurt her."

"You wouldn't, Rae."

"Look at what we're doing right now, I can't tell her about this. Wouldn't me lying about something this important hurt her?" I sighed. "How do you do it?"

He chuckled softly. "It takes work. Clay freaked out at first but then he understood. The right person will understand." He patted my shoulder.

Three cars pulled on the opposite side of us. We watched as men piled out. One opened the door for the one in the middle. I held my breath as he came out. A stupid smirk on his mouth a he regarded us. Mostly me. He was a tall man. Built, strong, dark hair and eyes that showed just how brutal he was.

"Raelynn Clarke, I heard you've been looking for me." Vincent Milano approached me.

I shrugged unbothered. "I like knowing who is buying my stuff."

He looked around, scratching his beard. "You took me away from my vacation. Have you been killing my men?" He grinned sadisticly.

My mouth twitched in annoyance. "Wrong girl. I never touched your men."

He clasped his hands behind his back. "Ah, I believe you. Now where's my goods?"

Danny silently took the two suitcases out of the trunk. One of his men brought the payment. The transaction went smoothly, no hitch.

He stopped and turned around. "Oh, you remind me of someone I used to know. Who?" He scratched his beard again. "Eh, doesn't matter." He waved his hand. "Nice meeting you. Oh, and next time we'll have a drink." He winked and my stomach churned in disgust.

I watched as they left.

"Well, we met him." Danny dusted off an imaginary speck of dust from his suit. "Are-"

"Don't, let's go."

We both got in our different cars, Danny taking the payment with him.

●●●

"Hey." Lena greeted with her mouth full of food.

"Stop eating on my fucking couch." I told her and beelined to my room.

"I bought you a burger!" She shouted after me.

Ignoring her, I went into the bathroom. I turned it as hot as it would go, resting my palms on the tiled wall. My head rested between my hands as I willed the bad thoughts away. I no longer had Grace to help with that anymore. So I had to get used to it again. I always slept peacefully with her next to me, now I woke up in sweats.

I finished showering and got dressed. Going out to the living room, the girl was vacuuming down popcorn now as she watched Friends. I got my burger and sat next to her.

"You're welcome." She said with her attention still on the show.

"You live here for free and I lent you my car. I at least deserve a fucking burger." I replied casually.

She turned her body to me. "Must you always be so bitter?"

I kept eating trying to ignore the kid next to me.

"You miss her." She spoke again.

I clenched my jaw, I was gonna explode on this child. "I don't."

"Oh okay. She misses you, you know." She said and turned back to the t.v.

My head whipped in her direction. "She does?" I asked in a hushed tone.

She shrugged and kept eating her popcorn.

"Why did you say she misses me?" I asked again.

Lena smirked mischievously. "Just wanted to see your reaction. I conclude that you do miss her. A lot. You're even more pissy than usual."

I narrowed my eyes on her. Can I lock her in her room? I grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

"My television, I get to watch what I want."

"Oh, come on. I hate action." She whined.

"Deal with it." I continued to eat.

She groaned, throwing a mini tantrum before shutting up.

Fucking whiny brat.

"Grace told me something today." The girl spoke after a while.

I inhaled before letting it out.

Don't take the bait. Leave it alone. The little brat is lying.

"Do you wanna know?" She asked.

"No, I don't care." I lied.

She scoffed and got up. "If you say so."

I followed her on it the kitchen. "What did she say?"

She bust out laughing, making me frown. "You are so fucking whipped."

"Just fucking tell me what the fuck she said." I said beyond annoyed.

"Nothing, I just said that to see your reaction. Again." She laughed.

I stared blankly at her.

Yeah, I was pathetic. Here I was, pining over someone who didn't want me. When did I become this person? Aching for her when she didn't want to give me a chance. Okay, you were hurt but I didn't do anything. Why was I being punished? Why did I have to hurt?

Without another word, I left. I heard Lena calling after me but I ignored it. My mind was draining me.

What the fuck did you do to me, Grace?

-E