I stiffen, that word jogging my memory. Bailey mentioned it.
“Raven?” I repeat, arching a brow.
She nods. “Ravens are dual-purpose. Escorts that deal in espionage, taking specific client assignments to gather information and report back. I didn’t particularly like that part of it, but I was desperate.”
Mom sighs, wiping at the corner of her eye again. “Anyways. I was two months from the expiration of my contract when I got pregnant. It shouldn’t have happened, I was on birth control, but when they say it’s only ninety-nine percent effective, it’s true. The Dollhouse wanted to end the pregnancy, but I wanted it. Wantedyou, Ava. I wanted you so badly.” She chokes on a sob, pausing to get it under control. “My handler offered to help.”
“Caleb,” I whisper.
She startles, eyes widening. “You know him?”
I jerk a nod. “He was my handler, too.”
Her expression shutters, face screwing up in anguish. “He’s a good man. He helped me strike a deal with the Invictus. They pulled me out of the Dollhouse, sent me to Chicago under the guise of your grandmother being sick so I could carry you to term. But after I had you, I was sent back. Leaving you behind was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I had to keep you safe. You stayed with your grandma, hidden away, and I came back to visit whenever I could.”
“I remember,” I murmur.
“Then I met Gideon, and we fell in love.” Her lips curve in the ghost of a smile, almost wistful. “He offered me a way out, and I took it. Got you back, kept you hidden so nobody would know you existed.”
I nod slowly, my mind struggling to wrap itself around the information. “So is that why he sold me to the Dollhouse?” I ask quietly. “To pay off some old debt for getting you out?”
“No,” she gasps, shaking her head adamantly. “I was free and clear. He ran into some other trouble, and I guess… he must’ve…” she shakes her head again. “He never told me what he did, Ava. I never would’ve let him send you to that place. I thought you were safe, tucked away at college, living your life.”
“Then why didn’t you call?” I grit out, the pieces still not quite adding up.
“At first, I couldn’t,” she says. “We were in hiding while Gideon figured out his business situation, and we couldn’t make any contact that might give up our location, or yours for that matter. And after we got back… Gideon told me he talked to Raf, that you were doing well at college, that you were happy. I didn’t want to ruin it.”
I grind my molars, wanting so badly to believe her.
“So what now?” I ask, voice barely a whisper.
She reaches across the table, grabbing my hands in hers. “I came to get you out,” she says, fierce and shaky at the same time. “We can leave right now. I have money, enough to start over somewhere. We can disappear.”
It’s everything I ever wanted to hear andwaytoo damn tempting.
I look down at our hands, then back at her. “What about Gideon?”
She shakes her head, lips pressed thin. “I don’t want anything to do with him, not anymore. Not after what he did to you.”
I want to believe her so badly it hurts.
We finish our coffee in silence, both of us lost in our own heads. When we stand to leave, she pulls me into another hug, holding me so tight I think I might actually crack in two.
By the time we walk out the door, I’ve made my mind up. That despite everything, I want to leave with her. I want to believe everything could finally be okay, and that this nightmare could actually be over.
The cold slaps my cheeks as we cross the parking lot. I circle around to the passenger side of her Mercedes and slide in, feeling lighter than I have in months.
I should have known it was too good to last.
The second the door closes, there’s a shadow in the driver’s side mirror– a tall, broad man in a black suit. Then another one materializes on my side, opening my door and yanking me out by the arm. Before I can scream, something cold and metallic presses to my neck.
Mom shrieks, trying to claw at the man pinning her to the hood of her own car, but he’s too strong. The more she writhes, the harder he smashes her face against the windshield, her sunglasses snapping in half.
I try to kick the guy holding me, but he just laughs, twisting my arm until I see stars.
“Easy, princess,” he snarls. “You don’t want to hurt yourself. Damage the merchandise.”
“Who are you?” I spit, but I already know.
