Love you too, Chica! BFFs always, sister of my heart
Smiling, Elena added a string of heart emojis and an angel. Rachael had the kindest heart of anyone Elena knew, a miracle considering her dark upbringing. She could have become a monster like her father, but she chose the path of goodness instead. So different from Cici, it turned out. The more Elena thought of the woman who claimed to be her friend, the more her anger threatened to spill out.Deep breaths. Memories of Cici crying now infuriated her. The woman was directly responsible for putting Tina in danger, all because she wanted to influence Elena, even use her to try and get information about what Watchdog knew of her past. And for what? To save her reputation? To spare her from being honest and upfront about her choices?
Infuriating.Enough of this.
Now that she’d worked herself up sufficiently, Elena dialed Cici’s number. Walking to the nearest bedroom, she looked over her shoulder to make sure Camden was still with Tina in the living room. He glanced up at her. With his laptop open on the coffee table, he pointed the remote at the TV, scrolling for something appropriate for Tina to watch while he worked.
“Elena,” Cici answered, her voice bubbly. “You must have read my mind; I was just about to call you. Hey, I was at Brant and Phillips this morning and I was surprised to see you’d moved on. Everything all right?”
“Yeah, Cici. Everything is just fine. I’ve taken a new position with Delia’s, thanks to the catering job, actually.” Her voice wavered.
“That’s terrific! I am so glad I could help.” A little of the bubbly left Cici’s voice, replaced with doubt.
“Oh, you’ve helped all right. See the thing is, I can’t start at Delia’s right away because I’m here at Camden’s house making sure my daughter is okay.”
“You’re at Camden’s house with Tina? What’s wrong? Is it the diabetes?” If Elena didn’t know any better, she’d think the woman’s concern was genuine. Instead, it felt like she was tipping someone off.
“Indirectly. You see, her blood sugar crashed Saturday night after the event. It can do that sometimes during an illness or under stress. Or when someone has a bad scare.”
Cici paused. “Goodness, is she coming down with something? I’d bring some chicken soup by Camden’s, except you know I don’t cook.” Her tinkling laughter sounded hollow.
“Cut the crap, Cici. I think you know exactly why my daughter’s blood sugar crashed. I think it’s also why you stopped by Brant and Phillips today.” By now, Elena’s voice was shaking with rage. “I’m going to say this once, from one mother to another. Leave my daughter alone. She’s just a little girl, she doesn’t know anything.”
Cici drew in a breath. “Really. What did she tell you?” All pretense of warmth had left Cici’s voice.
“Not a word. She’s too scared. She says she heard two men talking by accident and they threatened her, but she won’t tell me who they were or what they said. I suspect one of them was Lawrence, just from what I know about you.”
“What do you mean by that?” Pure ice.
“I told you to cut the shit and instead you double-down on it. I’m not stupid. Lawrence is the father of your first son, isn’t he? He’s protecting you, like he always has.
Cici’s breath hitched. “Yes, he is. I don’t know how they found out, but the boy’s parents know I’m the mother. Larry told me about them today. They threatened to go public, to tell everyone how the wife of the candidate who puts families first had a baby out of wedlock and put it up for adoption. They want money, lots of it. They even threatened to say he had cocaine in his system when he was born. They’re lying, but that doesn’t matter, people will believe what they want to hear. Roger’s opponents will run with it. And my twins will always doubt me, if not hate me outright.”
“And now you’re threateningmydaughter to keep you safe. How do you thinkmydaughter feels right now? How do you thinkIfeel?”
“It’s not me! I’m not threatening anyone. I never wanted to hurt anybody. You know that. I’m a good person, Elena. You know how it is when you’re a mom. You have to make the tough choices for your family. I’m a good person. I’ve helped a lot of women who didn’t have the same choices I did. I helpedyou.”
“Helpedme? You’ve condemned me and Tina to a life of hiding.”
“Hiding? What do you mean? You just told me you’re at Camden’s.” Cici’s voice changed.
“I didn’t…that’s, yeah, I’m at Camden’s,” Elena lied. She heard Camden’s footsteps approaching the bedroom.
“Elena, it doesn’t have to be like this. I can still help you. I’m headed to Larry’s. We can figure this out.”
“Elena? Who the hell are you talking to?” Camden’s voice boomed. “You know you aren’t supposed to…get off the damn phone!”
Sounding panicked, Elena said, “Bye Rachael, thanks for calling and checking up. I’ll tell Camden you said hi.” Elena hit end. She turned and went straight into Camden’s waiting arms.
“Did it work?” She looked up into his eyes.
He was all-smiles. “Yeah, Gorgeous, it worked like a charm. I watched the app on the laptop the minute you made the call. I came in as soon as Gina’s techie guy pinged that your call had been traced to the safehouse. I imagine if they hadn’t finished tracing it, Cici would be giving you a call back until they could pinpoint you.”
Elena shook her head. “She’s desperate. I think she honestly didn’t mean to ever hurt anyone.”
“But by hiding her truth and letting Larry fight her battles in the meantime, she’s come to this place, and she’s ready to sacrifice you and Tina to keep herself safe.”
Elena hated asking the next question. “Now what?”
