Page 84 of Brazen Obsession

Natasha sighs. “It’s a long story.”

“Make it shorter.”

I smile, because even though I can’t see it, I’m familiar with the look Roger is giving everyone in this room.

“I accidentally took the mob on as a client.” Tom’s voice is solid. “Natasha is the boss’s daughter. We fell in love and eloped. The guy her father wanted her to marry didn’t like that.”

“Eloped.” Roger knows Mom isn’t going to like that. He eases me away from him to look at my face. “And you?”

I swallow. “Someone broke into the townhouse. I moved in with Wyatt, Finn, and Dante. I got kidnapped by the mob boss. But Finn got me out.”

Dante steps up behind me and puts his hand on my shoulder. “The rest can wait for Bitsy.”

Roger’s eyes soften as he searches mine. “You’re all right?”

Tears fill my eyes but I nod. “I’m all right.”

He shakes his head. I want to go back into his arms, but he’s no longer my only rock.

Dante pulls me back against him and I sink into him, letting his strength hold me up. Roger turns to open the door for Caitlyn and my mom.

“Sara!” Caitlyn sees me first and runs over and hugs my waist. “You should have come with us. I missed you.”

I breathe her in as I squeeze her. “I missed you too.”

Mom looks around the room. “Where’s the fourth musketeer?”

“Here.” Finn steps in behind her. Fortunately, Tom has a private room, but it’s becoming crowded with everyone in it. “And I brought a friend.”

Drew follows him in and closes the door. Finn moves over to stand with Dante and me.

“Drew Young.” Drew holds his hand out to Roger, who shakes it with a glance at me. Obviously, Mom told him I was dating Drew. My cheeks warm as I lean back into Dante for support. Who knows what else they’ve heard. The night I spent in a hotel with Drew?

Wyatt rises to stand next to us. Finn’s green eyes meet mine and he smirks. I knew the day I’d have to tell my mom about all of them was closing in on me, but I really thought I’d have time to break it to her gently after all this craziness calmed down. Now the weight of it sinks into my stomach, twisting it in knots.

Wyatt takes my hand and I squeeze it while Mom is being introduced to Drew.

Mom’s light green eyes find mine as she shakes Drew’s hand. Her gaze takes in the others standing close to me, but they’ve always been protective. Maybe we can wait until later to discuss my relationship. I swallow the lump in my throat.

Mom steps up to Tom’s bed and Natasha holds out her hand.

“I’m Natasha.”

Mom takes her hand with a speculative look. “A pleasure.”

Mom homes in on Tom and she takes a deep breath, like she’s getting ready to yell at him. “Shot?”

Tom nods. “In the shoulder. Everything is good though.”

“Good?” Mom’s eyebrow cocks up. She glances over at me and then back at Tom, and suddenly, we’re little kids about to get yelled at for breaking a dish we were arguing over.

Caitlyn walks over to Tom and takes his hand. “I’m sorry you’re in the hospital. I don’t like the way it smells here.”

“Thanks, bug. But the doctor made me better so I shouldn’t have to be here long.” Tom brushes her hair out of her face with a smile.

Mom looks down at Caitlyn and then up at Roger. He sighs and straightens from the wall.

“How about you and I go find something nice in the gift shop for Tom, Caitlyn?”