“I wouldn’t. I’ll admit to it being my plan, but it changed when I got to know your son.”
“She’s lying!” Bella insists.
Mateo takes out his phone and hands her a set of earbuds. “Put these in.”
She does as she’s told, listening for several minutes. Then she takes the earbuds out and sets them down on the table.
“What now?” Mateo asks.
Bella looks at my mother. “After hearing you plotting to kill my son, I ought to kill you.”
“I didn’t know,” Mother says weakly. “They never told me!”
“Not many know, I’m afraid, and our secrecy is what led to this.”
“When did you find out?” Mother asks.
“It was just a feeling I had when I met Ivy at your wedding. Afterward, I looked at her profile, and she had widow written all over her, but by then, there was little I could do. I pleaded with the other Sacred Mothers, but nothing like this had ever happened before.”
“Why was I given the new poison if he were your son?” I ask.
“Some Widows demanded your daughter go through with her job and were furious at the accommodations being discussed. They tried to take matters into their own hands and went to you behind the council’s back.” Bella smiles sardonically. “They are now being dealt with.”
“What’s going to happen to me?” Momma says.
“Some want you killed because of how you reached out to arrange this meeting, but I’ve reached an agreement. You’re going into retirement. I’ll have you set up in an apartment, and all your needs will be taken care of, but you are never to speak of the Sisterhood again.”
Mother nods. “Understood.”
Bella looks at me next. “And you, if you try to murder my son, I will make your death last decades.”
“You don’t have to worry.”
Bella nods. “You’re released from your obligation, but it cost me. A lot.”
“What do I owe you?”
“A lot of fucking grandkids.”
“I’ll work on that.”
Finally, she looks at Mateo. “I can’t believe you let your goddamn grandfather talk you into marrying a goddamn black widow.”
“You taught me and Maria to take our inheritance seriously.”
“But I didn’t want you to get killed over it.”
“Then maybe you should have been more forthcoming with your goddamn secret life.”
“That meant putting you in danger.”
Mateo chuckles darkly. “How’d that work out for you?”
“Enough pointing fingers,” Bella says. “It’s time we discuss what the hell is going to happen.”
“I’m going to kill every last spider I find,” Mateo says.
“No—you’re not,” Bella snaps, pointing an authoritative finger at her son. “The Web is allowing you to go back to the family tower and continue on as if nothing has happened.” She looks at me. “You’re no longer a part of the Sisterhood, and you’re never to speak of it again. Do you understand?”
