Page 237

Story: Reclaimed

“Alone? You should take Rome?—”

“No, he needs to stay here with Dylan,” I said. “Dylan’s the one Sean is really after.” I didn’t really think that was completely true—Sean had made it clear he wanted to get rid of me, too—but I didn’t want to show up with a bunch of enforcers in tow if she was already antsy about this process. She could be really prideful. If I showed up with dragons at my back, she might feel attacked and change her mind.

This had to be just me and her.

Cassidy narrowed her eyes. “Call Hawk, then.”

Cassidy didn’t understand how small this window was. I needed to get to Mom’snow.She was right to suggest I take an enforcer, though. Steph had made it clear it was dangerous to be out alone right now. I dialed Hawk.

The call rang, and rang, and rang.The voice mailbox you have tried to reach is full…

I didn’t have any time to waste.

“Hey, Hawk,” I said into the phone as the robotic voice told me he couldn’t accept voice messages. “Do you have a second to escort me? I’m going to my mom’s. Yes, now. … Really? Great. Can you meet me there? Great. See you soon.”

By the time I finished my little skit, the line was dead.

Cassidy uncrossed her arms. “He’s meeting you there?”

“Yeah. It’s not far. I’ll be fine, Cass.”

The risk was before Sean had decided to challenge Steph, right? Now Sean was committed to fighting Steph to the death, so he wouldn’t be chasing me down. And it was the middle of the day. This would be quick. I’d go get my mom, take her to the hospital for intake, then call Steph.

“All right,” Cassidy said. Her voice was unsure. I was grateful Dylan was outside, because he’d definitely know I was lying, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to help my mother. It might be the only chance I get.

“I’ll be back soon,” I said. “Hold down the fort, okay?”

I rushed out of the house before Cassidy could say anything else, hopped into the car, and pulled out before Rome could hear the engine and question me.

I drove to my mom’s A-frame house tucked into the woods outside of Lakeview. I parked haphazardly, then rushed up the porch stairs and knocked once before bursting into the house. “Mom?”

I expected to find Mom at the tail end of a bender, with the house trashed, and her probably sick and a mess. I expected to see bottles strewn all over the coffee table, the lights dim, some bad music playing on her stereo.

I did not expect to see Blakely.

Mom was nowhere to be seen. It was only that gangly, red-headed bitch standing in the middle of the living room, grinning at me like a demon.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I snapped.

Fuck, I was stupid. I should’ve brought Rome.

“Hi, Harley,” Blakely said. “I needed to speak to you alone. I knew Ace wouldn’t let me, so I enlisted your dear mother to give me a hand.”

“Where is she?” I demanded. “What did you do to her?”

“She’s fine,” Blakely said. “And she’ll stay that way, as long as you do what I say.”

“You set this up.” Realization fell over me like ice water. “You tricked Ace into leaving the house, and then tricked me into coming here.”

“It was really easy, too,” Blakely said. “So much for all your security detail, huh? One little request from Mommy, and you come running like a little girl.”

“Shut your fucking mouth. Whereisshe?” I was ready to beat this woman’s ass. Rage and panic both burned within me, making my heart race and sweat bead at my temples.

“Come on out,” Blakely called.

The door to Mom’s upstairs bedroom opened. I heard footsteps stomping, and then an unfamiliar man stomped down the stairs with my mother in tow. Her arms were bound behind her back, and she was pale and terrified.

“Mom!” I cried out. Her shaky voice on the phone hadn’t been withdrawal or pain. It’d beenfear.And I hadn’t noticed at all.

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