Salvaged Hearts (No Longer Broken Duet Book 2) Read online

  Salvaged Hearts

  No Longer Broken Duet: Book Two

  Copyright 2018 by Lilly Wilde

  Cover Design: Pink Ink Designs

  Cover Photo: depositphotos.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  ISBN: 9781386340911

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Books from Lilly Wilde

  A Note from Lilly

  Praise For Lilly

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  A Snippet from Dancing In The Dark

  Stay Connected with Lilly

  About the Author

  The Untouched Series

  Untouched

  Touched

  Touched by Him

  Only His Touch, Part One

  Only His Touch, Part Two

  Forever Touched

  Dancing In The Dark (Summer 2019)

  Before His Touch (Summer 2019)

  A Raine Family Christmas (Winter 2019)

  No Longer Broken Duet

  Shattered Beginnings

  Salvaged Hearts

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoy the conclusion of Branch and Ragan’s story as much as, if not more than, I did. While you’re here, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive FREE books from your favorite authors, up-to-date information on my latest releases, featured authors, bloggers and other interesting tidbits.

  DID YOU KNOW …

  This book will be available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook editions at all major online retailers!

  For up-to-date information, follow me on Facebook or visit my website.

  If you’d like to order a signed paperback, click here.

  REMEMBER …

  When you’ve finished Salvaged Hearts, check out the snippet of my upcoming release—Dancing In The Dark: An Untouched Series Spinoff—included at the back of this book!

  Happy Reading,

  Lilly

  “This is a book like no other. These characters are under my skin, and I fall deeper with every single word.”

  Amazon Reviewer

  “You totally killed this book! It’s off-the-charts amazing!”

  Goodreads Reviewer

  “This story is not like anything I have ever read before—it’s brilliant and amazing.”

  Amazon Reviewer

  “I am simply not ready to leave these characters and their stories behind yet. I love this book, and I am not ready for it to be over.”

  Amazon Reviewer

  “The conflict in these chapters is torture but wonderful. It’s so amazing!

  Amazon Reviewer

  “This story is so damn strong…I am beyond words!”

  Goodreads Reviewer

  To those whose beginnings were shattered by circumstance but whose fighting spirit and resiliency transposed you to a life and a love you so richly deserve.

  #NeverGiveUp

  “THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT. And my agent will be in touch about those tickets,” I add, shaking hands with Ragan’s dad as she walks into the room.

  She looks between the two of us, then settles her gaze on me, a scowl on her face. “I told you I didn’t need a ride.”

  “And I told you I’d be here.”

  “Yeah, Ragan,” David says. “It would be a big help if he drives you to work. I have a doctor’s appointment this morning, so I’m going to need the car.”

  “You suddenly have an appointment you knew nothing about?” Ragan asks, then notices the two large cardboard boxes sitting on the floor beside her dad. “And why are my paintings out?”

  “I was thinking of getting a couple of them framed for you,” David replies.

  Ragan squints at the stack of drawing pads, canvases, and pieces of loose art, then returns her attention to her dad, obviously caught off guard by his response.

  “You about ready?” I ask, trying to rush her out before she starts asking more questions.

  Slowly pulling her gaze away from her father, she looks up at me. “I guess. But next time I say I don’t need a ride—that means I don’t need one. Besides, every minute you spend on me is one less you’ll have for your groupies, and I’d hate to deprive those lovely ladies of that.”

  I grin and shake my head at her jab about me and Christina on the lake yesterday. When she grabs her bag, she spots the piece of paper her dad is extending toward her.

  “This is for you,” he says, unfolding a check. “To help with your car.”

  Again, Ragan appears confounded by her dad’s gesture. Why is his kindness such a shock for her?

  “I don’t need—” she starts.

  David shoves the check in her hand. “Don’t be stubborn. Take it.”

  “She has that stubborn thing down to a science,” I scoff.

  Ragan throws me a sour look, then turns back to David. “Thanks, Dad,” she says, her discomfort at extending her appreciation—and even accepting his help—obvious. She tucks the check into her purse, and her eyes drop to the drawings. “And please don’t do anything with my paintings.”

  Ragan follows me out the door, her steps softly padding behind mine. After we’ve settled in the car, she looks at me.

  “Do you want to say something?”

  “Why were you thanking my dad?” she asks as we pull out of the driveway.

  “What?”

  “When I walked in…I heard you tell him thanks.”

  “Oh. A suggestion on one of my plays.”

  She rolls her eyes and turns to look out the window. “If you didn’t want to tell me, you could have just said so. No need to lie.”

  “Why would I lie?”

  She whips her head around to meet my gaze. “Do you ser
iously think my dad has pointers for you?”

  I chuckle. “I don’t know everything about football. Suggestions can come from anyone…even you, sugar.”

  I know she doesn’t believe me, but it appears she’s dropping it, which is a good thing because if she’s this bothered by a ride to work, she definitely won’t like the real reason I was thanking David.

  “Your car will be ready around three,” I say when I pull to a stop in front of the diner.

  A tight smile traces her lips. “Great.”

  I know she’s worried about the cost of her car repair, but between the tip from me and the check from David, she has more than enough to cover the bill.

  “Someone from the garage will give you a call. And since I know how much you hate riding with me, someone can pick you up and get you there, too.”

  She opens the door and slides from the seat of the car. “Thank you…for everything. And thank Jimmy for me, too.”

  “No problem. Friends help friends, remember?”

  “And here I thought we weren’t friends, Mr. Branch,” she says with an exaggerated southern drawl. “You know…on account of I’m afraid to be your friend.”

  I try not to grin as she bites her bottom lip to combat her smile. When she closes the door and heads to the diner, my eyes don’t leave her. I follow the sway of her hips with each step that moves her farther away from me, suddenly realizing in spite of that smart mouth, I like Ragan. Her attitude totally pisses me off, but I definitely like her. But liking the girl I plan to fuck is never part of the equation—it’s a complication.

  She tosses a glance over her shoulder before stepping inside the diner, her pouty lips now pulled into a smile. For a woman who claims to dislike everything about me, her mannerisms do much to debunk that lie. Granted, she may not want to like an asshole like me, but I know she does. Just as I know she wants me to fuck her.

  And in due time…I will.

  “THE BLUE RIDGE BOWL IS Friday. Are you going?” Hayley asks.

  “Nope.”

  “Why?”

  I glance up from sorting through a stack of magazines. “Is it free?”

  “Ragan, it’s never free. It’s a fundraising event. And tickets are only a hundred dollars this year.”

  “Like I said, not going. I plan to use any extra money I have toward my attorney.”

  “You can’t live for non-pleasure alone. You need to have some fun.”

  “I can’t afford a hundred dollars’ worth of fun, Hayley.” Unlike my best friend, I don’t have parents who foot the bill for all my expenses, especially those that are strictly recreational.

  “Blue Ridge High Alumni receive a fifty percent discount.”

  “And?”

  “And I think you should go. It’ll be fun. Besides, it’ll give you more time to ogle Branch.”

  “Hmph. That guy’s Jekyll and Hyde routine has given me whiplash. One day he looks at me like he wants to rip my clothes off, then he totally ignores me as he parades one of his slutty worshippers in my face the next. I’ve had about enough of that douche,” I say and finally decide on the latest edition of People.

  Hayley giggles. “Oh, so now he’s a douche? Are you forgetting who you’re speaking to? Your crush on that guy was ginormous. At one time, I thought he was your only reason for coming to school. No way is that gone.”

  “Well, maybe seeing him up close and personal changed my mind.”

  “Somehow I doubt that. Besides, you saw him up close and personal back then…remember?”

  How could I forget? “How’s Channing Tatum?” I ask, shifting topics.

  “He’s better. Not himself though.”

  I flip through the magazine, looking for the article about Prince Harry’s wedding. At least someone gets the fairy tale. “How old is he?”

  “Are you gonna start the same crap as Mom and Dad? Saying he’s too old to get any better?”

  I was thinking that, but seeing her expression makes me lie. “No. I’m just wondering how old he is.”

  “Oh. Well, he’s only eighteen. And he’ll be back to himself soon.”

  I don’t share her affinity for the feline furballs, but even I know that’s old as shit for a cat. But again, I keep my comment to myself. “I’m sure he will.”

  Hayley rubs her hand over her pet/friend/brother, and he somehow manages to muster enough energy to jump from the bed. I could swear I heard him grunt as he did though. Just like an old man/cat.

  A BLOCKED NUMBER.

  Answer or ignore? That’s the question. Thinking it’s Ethan, I tap decline and slide the phone into the back pocket of my jeans. Not even a minute later, the Halsey ringtone, Bad at Love, sounds again.

  Another blocked call.

  Definitely Ethan.

  And unless he’s calling to tell me this month’s child support—plus the other five months he’s behind—is being deposited into my account, I don’t want to hear shit he says. I jab the decline icon again, only to have the ring tone sound a third time.

  Figuring answering is the only way to get rid of him, I press the accept button and place the phone to my ear. “What do you want?”

  “So…who peed in your Corn Flakes?”

  That wasn’t the voice of my ex. It’s a voice I feel I should recognize though.

  “Are you there?” the caller asks.

  “Er…yeah. Who is this?”

  He chuckles. “Man, how quickly they forget. It’s Noah.”

  And whoosh, just like that, the wind is knocked from my lungs. My knees buckle, and my free hand flies to the edge of the counter, gripping it for balance. “Oh my God, Noah!”

  “Now that’s more of the reaction I was expecting.”

  “Where are you? How are you? Are you in town? Can I see you? Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.”

  “Which question do you want me to answer first?”

  My hand clutches my chest as I pace the length of the small space. “Stop kidding around and answer me.”

  “I’m good, sis. And yeah, I’m in Blue Ridge. And seeing you is one of the reasons I’m here.”

  What other reason would he be here? Is this really happening? Am I actually speaking to the brother I haven’t seen in almost nine years? And how did he get my number?

  “Have you spoken to Dad?”

  “What the hell for?”

  “So that’s a no.”

  “Hell yeah, it’s a no. Fuck that guy.”

  My mind drifts back to years past, when Dad let his bitch of a wife abuse my brother and me. And back to the day I found out Noah ran away, then to the night I confronted Dad about looking for him. I can’t blame Noah for his animosity toward the father who failed us. I felt the same. I kinda still do even though I’m living under his roof. And if Noah knew I was back in the house with Dad, he’d probably hang up the phone.

  “So when can I see you? I mean, you said that’s why you’re here, right?”

  “Yeah. I’m a few miles out, so I won’t technically be in town for another half hour or so. So maybe you can meet us for dinner.”

  “Us? Did you bring a friend?”

  “I guess you can say that.”

  “You guess? Either you did or you didn’t.”

  “Yes, I did. The reason I finally came back to this shithole is because I want you to meet my fiancé.”

  Fiancé! “What? You’re getting married?”

  “It looks that way. I finally found someone who’s willing to put up with me.”

  I try to picture a grown-up Noah—an image that would match the depth of the voice that’s replaced the one I used to know. Then I try to picture a grown-up Noah with a wife. And then I try to just picture Noah. I’m unable to conjure any of those images in my head. The only Noah I can visualize is the little boy I left behind that horrible night so many years ago.

  “You still there?”

  “Yes,” I reply, wiping at the tears that stream down my cheeks. “Just trying to catch my breath. I’m so happy for yo
u, Noah.”

  “Thanks, sis.”

  “So what are you in the mood for? There aren’t a lot of choices here.”

  “Is Giovanni’s still on East Main?”

  I hear the smile coloring his voice and I giggle. “Yes, it’s still here.”

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Noah asks.

  “Probably.” Cassidy the bitch had a once-a-month girls’ night at Giovanni’s. She always had the spaghetti and she always brought home leftovers that we could never touch. And for some unknown reason she always had diarrhea a couple of days after. The reason wasn’t unknown to Noah and me. We crushed laxatives and mixed them into her forbidden-to-touch leftovers. After a few episodes, Cassidy figured Giovanni’s famous spaghetti was the culprit, so she opted for a different entrée which somehow yielded the same result—a long night on the toilet. She and the girls finally chose a different restaurant altogether, so we stopped our food tampering, figuring she would become suspicious. Although her Giovanni’s nights added to the list of things Noah and I were warned to stay away from, and although we never voiced it aloud, we both looked forward to Cassidy’s Giovanni’s evenings. It meant for a day—sometimes two—we didn’t have to walk in fear of a beating.

  I step inside Giovanni’s and bypass the line of people waiting to be seated. As usual the place is packed and lively. Glasses clinking. Laughter erupting and too-loud conversation. At the hostess podium, I ask for the Prescott party. The perky blonde hostess draws a smile and then looks at her guest list.

  She turns to a waitress who has the most perfect messy-bun I’ve ever seen and tells her where I should be directed. “Right this way,” the waitress says.

  I step in line behind her, a nervous smile finding its way to my lips. Nervous? Yes, nervous. I haven’t seen my brother in over eight years, so I have no idea what I’m walking into or what scars he’s fighting to hide. Not to mention the fiancé. He’s getting freaking married!