“Porch wine?” Shelly caught up to me.
I laughed. “Yeah, after Carly is in bed, the three of us will catch up on the porch with a glass of wine. Toya started calling it porch wine after the first night.” I slipped my arm around hers. “When you are here, you are more than welcome to join us.”
“Oh I can’t.” She shook her head with a chuckle.
“Why the heck not?” I shook her lightly.
“Because I have Abby.”
I snorted. “Rick will be here, and she will be cured by then. I’m sure the man you mated can handle her for one night.”
She looked at me through her lashes. “You promise?”
I distractedly nodded. “Promise what? That he can handle his kid for a night. Goddess, I freaking hope so.” I laughed.
Shelly chuckled with me as we went up the porch steps, but she shook her head. “No. About Abby being cured by then?”
I pulled her to a stop before the door. “The only reason I’m not curing her instantly is because Vince would feel it. Or whoever he asked to wield the curse. It’s connected to the caster, and if any die, or the curse is lifted, they are instantly alerted.”
She quivered in my arms. “I can’t lose her.”
“And you won’t.” I squeezed her.
“Mommy, come on. Grandma Ainsley made lasagna, and garlic bread.” Abby bounced on her toes.
I looked at her. “Is lasagna your favorite?” She nodded. “My mom makes the best lasagna ever.” Abby looked at her mom.
“I think my mom does.” I smiled.
“Well, I guess we have to find out. Tonight we will have my moms, and maybe soon, we will get to have your moms.”
She grinned, and we headed inside. But instantly, something felt off. I left everyone downstairs as I made my way upstairs. Nix’s and Megan’s hackles were up. I started to run, but something was wrong.
I ran to my bedroom and realized my mom had left the connecting doors opened in her haste to come over with her hands full. I went to close them, but I heard something scraping against metal.
I slipped through the doors, closing them as I went, and made it to my bedroom door when I heard it again. A soft scrape of something against my lock. I spun the lock and wrenched my door open.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Chapter Forty-Two
Shannon shrieked in surprise. Morgan jumped and Brandon, stupid Brandon, tucked the lock picks down by his side. “I’ll ask you again. What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” This time, I let a snarl leave my mouth.
Brandon stood with Shannon and Morgan at my door. Morgan and Shannon took a step back, realizing the danger, but Brandon took a step closer to me, trying to force my door wider. “We are here to discuss something with you and your mother.” He tried to be sweet and leaned in to kiss my cheek as once again he tried to push past, but I held the door tightly tucked to my side.
I looked over at Morgan and Shannon. “I asked you two to leave for a couple of days. I asked you to give her some space.”
“Amy-” Brandon tried to interrupt, but I stepped out of my room, pushing him back with a stumbling step and closing my door.
“Why are you back here?” I let my face show my anger, my annoyance.
“This is my house, too.” Morgan tried to stick out his chest. “I shouldn’t have to leave.”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “No.” He furrowed his brows, obviously confused, but I just said it again. “No.”
Shannon stepped up next to Brandon. “Amy, you and Brandon are my best friends. He just wanted to come talk some sense into your mom.” She looked back at Morgan. “My dad was in a meeting with Vince. That’s why he wasn’t coming home for dinner. And Brandon and I were…busy.” She barely hid her smirk when she said that.
“No.” I just shook my head.
