Page 79 of King of Pain (Damaged Hearts #1)

After a quick drink with the gang, Chance and I walk home in comfortable silence, hands linked. We step into the condo, and Guinness barrels over to greet us, tail thumping. Chance drops down to give him a good rub while I set my work bag on one of the barstools.

Chance tugs his polo over his head as he straightens. I clock the smooth ripple of muscle across his back and immediately follow him as he heads toward the bedroom.

“ Oh yeah, ” I tease, “that’s what I’m talking about.”

Chance throws his head back in a full laugh. “Calm down, Casanova. I took Little G out to do his business before heading to your office, but he hasn’t run yet today. I’m just getting changed.”

He shucks off his pants and all I can do is bite my lip as he stands there in tight white boxer briefs. Jesus. He catches me staring and smirks, that crooked grin doing dangerous things to my pulse.

He pulls a pair of shorts out of the dresser, then grabs my Madonna Virgin Tour t-shirt and slides it on, knowing damn well it’s tight on him. I swear, the man knows how to weaponize my weaknesses against me.

Leaning in, he brushes a kiss across my lips. “I won’t be long,” he says with a wink, and heads out of the bedroom.

I flop back onto the bed with a smile on my face, listening to the leash clip and the condo door snick shut behind them.

For a few minutes, I just lay there thinking about everything—how far we’ve come. How much planning we need to do after today. My head’s already spinning through ideas when I hear a soft knock on the front door.

My brow furrows. Chance just left. Who the hell—

I leave the bedroom and swing the front door open mid-sentence: “Did you forget—”

But it’s not Chance.

It’s a young guy—jacked, tattooed from wrist to throat, purple hair styled tall and sharp.

I recognize that hair.

The first to watch over me after Chance left.

I smile. “Ah. The elusive guardian angel.Murph.”

He grins. “Hey.”

I step aside. “Come in. It’s so good to finally meet you in person.”

We shake hands. His grip is solid.

“Chance took Guinness for a run. You must’ve just missed them downstairs,” I say.

Murph nods, eyes scanning the room. A habit I recognize all The Doves possess.

“Grab a seat while you wait. Can I make you a drink?” I ask him.

“No, thank you. I can’t stay. I’m not in town long, but needed to see Chance in person to give him something.”

I nod, curiosity piqued, but don’t press.

“Are you seeing your sister while you’re here?” I ask.

He smiles. “I just came from the gallery. Thought I’d catch them both at once, but Chance was already gone for the day.”

“Ah, yeah, we had a thing,” I tell him.

Murph winces. “Yeah, Chance already told me what you were doing. I hope that’s okay.”

I beam. “I’d be more concerned if he didn’t.”

Murph breathes a little easier.

“And Murph?” I add. He raises an eyebrow. “We expect you to be a part of it—part of our lives.”

He dips his head shyly.

“If it wasn’t for what you did for Chance,” I say, voice soft, “we may not be where we are today. I never got to thank you.”

Murph meets my gaze. “No need. Just know they’ll always be protected—”

The door bursts open and Little G trots in, leash dragging, Chance breathless behind him, sweat-slicked and glowing.

“ What—Murph? ” Chance says, stunned.

Murph grins and strides over, pulling him into a tight hug.

When they part, Murph scrunches his nose. “Gross. You’re sweaty.Badassshirt though.”

Chance laughs.

“I didn’t know you were in town. Let me shower, we’ll order food, catch up—”

Murph shakes his head. “I really need to catch my flight. I’m on my way to San Francisco. But…” He pulls an envelope from his back pocket. “I had to stop here first. Needed to give this to you in person.”

Chance’s brows shoot up. Murph gestures to the table. “You might want to sit down.”

Alarm prickles through me. I step out of the kitchen, settling behind Chance and placing a hand on his shoulder as he sinks into a chair at the dining table.

Murph sits kitty-corner, laying the envelope face down. He exhales. “When everything went down with your dad, our crew moved fast. We knew his PD cronies would ransack everything, so we grabbed anything personal of your mom’s.”

Chance tenses under my hands. I start rubbing his shoulders, grounding him.

Murph continues, “We stashed it in one of our storage units. You were off grid, so I wanted to keep it safe. Then you came straight here. I figured I’d let you know after you two got settled.”

He spins the envelope in slow circles; his gaze locked on Chance.

“But last week, I had to get something out of that unit and knocked over a box of her albums. This was sticking out of an album sleeve. The way it was hidden—I think she meant for you to find it.”

He flips it over. “ Chance ” written in soft script.

I feel Chance suck in a breath.

I move fast, pulling a chair up next to him, taking his arm, rubbing.

Chance’s voice is rough. “Which album?”

Murph gives a soft smile. “ The Queen is Dead. ”

Chance’s tears start immediately. “It was the first album she ever played for me. My favorite.” He huffs a small laugh. “And she did always have a twisted sense of humor.”

Murph blows out a breath. “Listen, I hate to drop something heavy and run, but I really do have to catch my flight. Besides, you’ll want privacy for this.”

Chance stands and hugs him tight. “Thank you, Murph. For everything.”

Murph squeezes his shoulder. “Back soon for a proper visit. At least a week. My sister threatened me if I didn’t.”

Chance laughs. “Deal.”

Murph grips my shoulder. “Good to meet you. Thanks for being his home.”

I pull him in for a hug. “Always.”

We see him out.

Chance turns to me, eyes shimmering. “Will you sit with me while I read this?”

I nod. “Go get comfortable on the couch. I’ll grab the tequila.”

I pour two glasses, set one on the coffee table and hand one to him.

Chance inhales, fingers trembling, and opens the letter. More tears fall as he reads. Some soft laughter. A few deep sobs.

He looks dazed.

Then he looks up at me and presses the letter into my hands. “I told you she loved you.”

My heart races as I look down at the letter.

A soft yellow linen stationery adorned in her handwriting.

Chance, my beautiful boy—

If you’re reading this, it likely means something’s happened to me. Whatever the circumstances of my passing are, I couldn’t stand the idea of you going through life without knowing these things.

I want you to know howproudI am of you.

For leaving. For surviving. For building a life that belongs toyou.

Whatever happens, I need you to know this: helping you escape that house was the only path I could live with.

I would’ve paid any price to make sure you had a chance at something better. It was worth it. A thousand times over.

I’ve always been in awe of you. Not just for your bravery, but for the size of your heart. Even after everything, you never stopped caring about other people. That’s a rare and beautiful thing, my boy. Never lose it.

Now, aboutus. I know we never sat down and had “the talk” about your identity.

Truth is, one of my favorite things about our relationship is that we didn’t need to.

I knew. You knew I knew. We both knew it was safer for you that way.

And you never had to question my love or my support.

You never will. Not in this life or beyond.

And Anthony… my other son. I amso happyyou found him.

From the moment I first saw the way you talked about him, I knew.

This is it for you. He is your person, Chance.

Hang on to him with every ounce of fight you’ve got.

Life won’t always be easy, but with the right person by your side, it will always be worth it.

I’ve grown to love Anthony in ways you can’t imagine.

I wish more than anything to be able to spend more time with him in person.

But if, for any reason, I don’t get to, please, please make sure he knows this: I love him.

Truly. And Icannot waitfor the two of you to raise my grand babies.

And youbetterhave babies, Chance Sullivan, you hear me?

You two will show them what a loving home can be… a home I always wanted for you.

I love you, Chance. I love youboth.

Love, Ma