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“I’m not adrunkanymore,” Mom snapped. “And I wasn’t drunk. This wasn’t my fault.”

Steph paused. “What do you mean?”

“Mom says she hasn’t been drinking, and that she got roofied in broad daylight.”

“Huh.” Steph glanced toward the doors of the police station.

“That’s what happened,” Mom said. “Why would I lie about that?”

“Because you lie all the time!” I exclaimed. “Especially about your drinking.”

“I wouldn’t lie about this.”

“I believe you,” Ace said to my mother.

I blinked at him in surprise. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he said. “Striker, can you take Miss Founty home?”

“Sure,” he said. To my surprise, Mom went with him, frowning but not complaining. Cassidy went too, giving me a look that made it very clear we’d be talking about this later.

Striker gunned the engine and pulled out of the police station. Steph glared at the police station. I followed his line of sight and saw Forrest peeking out of the small window in the door.

“Come on,” Steph said. “Let’s get home.”

“What do you think happened?” I asked. “Why do you believe her? You know she’s not trustworthy about stuff like this.”

“You want the honest answer?”

“Of course.” I followed him over to his bike.

“Your mother’s not a mean drunk, Harley,” Steph said. “She’s loud. Gregarious. A real flirt.”

I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “I hate that you know this.”

“At a certain point in her drunkenness, she starts to get weepy,” Steph said. “But never angry. She wouldn’t fight a cop. Simple as that.”

“So you think she’s telling the truth? She got roofied?”

“I think Forrest is using her to get to us,” Steph said. “I bet he hoped you’d come here alone.”

My eyes widened. “Seriously? You think this was a trap?”

He nodded.

“What about Mom?” I asked. “Will she be safe?”

“She will be now,” Steph said. “I’ll keep some guys on her.”

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered. “It never ends. Why the hell would they come for my mom? I know we have our issues, but she’s not a part of this.”

“Hey.” Steph reached out and tucked my hair behind my ears.

I looked up and met his gaze. The angry gold had dissipated, leaving behind the beautiful specks I could only see when I was this close.

“They’re scrambling,” Steph said. “They’re running out of options. Both SeanandForrest. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise you this is almost over.”

“Ugh.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close, pressing my face into his chest. “I hope you’re right.”