MOM FINALLY RETURNSmy call the following morning, and we have an epic argument over the phone when she admits sheismeeting Sinner for dinner tonight. “Do you have a fucking death wish, Mom?” I hiss.
Behind me, the guys are silently setting the table for breakfast, sharing troubled looks as I screech down the phone.
“He’s truly apologetic, and I at least owe him the opportunity to have his say.”
“Are you insane?” I yell. “You owe him nothing. He tied you up and raped you with his buddies. In what universe is that okay?”
“I’m not saying it’s okay. I just want to hear him out.”
“Have you considered it could be a trap?” I pace the floor, so enraged I could scream. “Do you know how many times he’s threatened your life?” She doesn’t, because I’ve never admitted it fully, but I’m done holding back.
Mom was safe.
Hidden with protection someplace where he couldn’t hurt her and he couldn’t use her against me anymore.
If she goes back, she will undo everything. “He could kill you, Mom!”
“He won’t get the chance,” she snaps, as if she can outwit him. “We are meeting in a public place for a reason. I’m not as naïve as you seem to think I am.”
“I can’t support this. I won’t.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“Good, because I won’t be there if you choose to throw your life away by getting back with that fucking psycho, and heisa psycho, Mom. That’s why he’s so dangerous.”
“I know how to handle Sinner.”
No, she doesn’t, or she wouldn’t have ended up tied to a sex sling in our basement, abused, bruised, and bleeding.
“You know what, Mom. I can’t do this anymore. Do what you like. It’s clear my opinion counts for nothing.” I hang up before she can reply, throwing the burner cell at the wall as I scream in sheer frustration.
I drop to my knees, burying my face in my hands.
“Hey.” Theo’s voice is soft as he kneels beside me, scooping me into his arms. “We’ll follow her. Keep an eye on her and make sure she’s safe.”
“How?” I ask, looking into his eyes. They are more brown than green today, and I can see the little amber ring around the edge from this proximity.
“Diesel placed a tracker on her new cell phone. We can go there and watch to ensure he doesn’t hurt her.”
“We can’t.” I shake my head. “The mole is meeting The Arrows tonight. We’ve got to be there. We might not get another chance.”
“We could always split up,” Caz suggests as he walks by carrying a pot of coffee.
“We could,” Saint says. “But separating makes me nervous. It’s better if we stick together. We could ask Diesel or his brother to follow your mom, and I could send a couple guys as well?”
“Let me check with Diesel,” I say, climbing to my feet. I run to the bedroom, grabbing a new burner cell from my stash, and call my trainer-slash-friend. This time, he answers straightaway.
“You okay?” he asks, and his tone is a little off.
“Yes. I’m just worried about Mom.”
“I heard.” He sighs.
“She can’t meet him, Diesel. He’s too unpredictable.”
“It’s too late. She’s already left the place she was staying at with Lincoln.”
“For fuck’s sake. Ugh.” I press my forehead against the wall. “Couldn’t you stop her?” I lean over the railing, noticing the guys sitting down, so I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs with the phone pressed to my ear.
