My fingers still on my mobile. Of all the petty betrayal we’ve dealt with, I know why this one is hitting us all the hardest. Martha was a fixture in the lives of my younger brothers and sister, growing up. Her spectacular meals were the centerpiece of our family gatherings. And Sophie, sweet Sophie, was indelibly etched in those memories, too.
Though perhaps not so sweet, Sophie, my wife. I still have no way of knowing whether she was part of her mother’s betrayal.
Rising quickly, I kiss Mum’s cheek. “I’ll be in the office if anyone needs me.”
She follows me out into the echoing marble hallway. “You should check on Sophie.”
“No need,” I say coldly. “Ian’s keeping an eye on her. I’ve got work to do here.”
“Sweetheart, you’re forgetting that I’m your mother.” She smooths my rumpled shirt. “I know very well that you would not have married Sophie simply out of mercy. You care for her, or you would not have done this.”
Tilting my head, I eye her thoughtfully. “Have ye already forgiven them, then?”
She gives me a sad smile. “I have.”
“How?” I dinnae understand her. “How can ye, so quickly? Knowing what it’s cost us?”
“Because if I were Martha, in that position of desperation and powerlessness? I would have likely done exactly the same thing.”
Chapter Ten
Sophie…
I don’t give Ian a second’s rest when he unlocks my bedroom door.
“Michael said I could talk to my mother today?”
He sighs, taking out his phone. “Mr. MacTavish says ye are allowed to call her.” He rapidly texts someone, leaning against the wall, waiting for an answer.
“What… are we waiting for?” I ask, perplexed.
“I’mwaiting for one of the guards to bring a phone to your mother.”
“Wh- what does that mean?” Terrified, my mind’s full of images of my mother chained down in the bunker behind the pool house. “Did they do something to my mom? Is she being held somewhere?”
“No,” he says tiredly. “Your mother is still in the cottage. She’s been denied electronic devices right now.”
I want to scream at him. I want to punch his stupid bodyguard face for his tone when he talks about my mother and that she’s been trapped in the cottage with nothing to do and the tenfuckingyears she’s given to this family and-
And the fact that she betrayed the MacTavishes to the same piece of shit who killed Dad and me.Jordan says.
You’re supposed to be on her side, you asshole!
I am.His tone is resigned.But you’re getting worked up and forgetting current events here, sis.
It’s not her fault!
Mom could have gone to Mala,he reminds me.Has Mala ever been anything but kind to you two?
She was scared, Jordan!
I’m pulled out of my conversation with my dead brother when Ian says my name. By his tone, I don’t think it’s the first time he’s said it.
“Are ye all right, Mrs. MacTavish?” Yeah, he’s looking at me all careful and cautious, like I’m about to detonate tears all over him.
“I’m fine.” I smooth my hair back, trying to act like a non-crazy person would. “Um… Did you get someone to give Mom a phone?”
“Aye,” he says, pushing a button. “Here ye are.” I try to take the phone into my room and his arm comes out to stop me. “I’m sorry, I need to hear your conversation.”
