I stared blankly at the wall.
“Are you okay now?” Mom sounded gentle, her concern wrapping around me like the most comfortable blanket. The one that had just the right amount of softness to snuggle down with and was a little faded from too many times through the wash.
I pretended not to feel the sting behind my eyes at my mom’s concern. “It was a momentary thing. I’m perfectly fine now.”
“Is that what the doctor said?”
“Doctor?”
Oh right. That was the lie Connor had given to Dad and Jenna.
“You didn’t see the doctor, did you?” Mom didn’t sound surprised, seeing through to the heart of the truth as quickly as she always did. “Is it money? If so—”
“No.”
“No strings attached,” she promised, a catch in her throat. “I just want you to be healthy.”
Damn it. Why did her concern make me want to cry?
Maybe that’s why my voice sounded clogged as I answered. “That’s not why I didn’t go. I’m actually doing really well in my business.”
“If money isn’t the reason, then why?”
Eye on the prize. Never distracted. That was my mom.
“Nose bleeds are a known side effect to the medicine I’m on.” It was the same explanation I’d given in the diner. Here’s hoping it worked better on her. “There’s no reason to go in. I’m not in any danger.”
I could feel my mother’s need to pursue this avenue of conversation, which was why I was a little impressed when she changed the subject.
“Your illness has gotten me to thinking. It’s time to bury the strife between us. I know I’m a big reason for everything,” Mom rushed to add before I could say anything. “I take full responsibility for my behavior these last few years. I can see now where you might have felt alienated because of things I did. Aileen, the truth is I don’t want you to have to go through this alone.”
My words died in my throat. This was more than I’d ever expected from her.
Mom cleared her throat to continue. “I’m having a family dinner tomorrow. I’d really like it if you came and gave me a chance to apologize in person.”
It took a moment for me to gather myself to speak. “I can’t. One of my clients needs my help for the next few days.”
“Next week then. And if you think you can’t make it, then just give me a call.”
I should say no. After what happened with Jenna, I should keep my distance.
“Yeah. Okay. I’d really like that,” I found myself agreeing.
“I’ll text you details then.”
“Alright, goodbye.” I hung up the phone and stared at the rumpled bed. “Damn it, Aileen. What are you doing?”
eighteen
Thebeddidn’tholdan answer. And ruminating over the odd direction my life had a habit of going in could happen just as easily in the shower. Time was a ticking and now that I had to add a stop into my busy schedule, I didn’t have any to waste.
Half an hour later, showered, changed, and wearing my own clothes again, I marched down the hallway toward the war room. I slowed as Drake, the companion who’d stepped in to help me protect Deborah from Chadwick, sauntered toward me.
He lifted his hand in a jaunty wave as he came abreast. “Aileen, not the person I was looking for, but you’ll do.”
I stopped to frown at Drake, my gaze going from him to the door of the war room not far away. “What are you doing here? This area is off limits to everyone but enforcers.”
Especially at a time like this. When we were under threat from multiple directions.
