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Keeping my hands to myself was next to impossible, even though I knew once I go back to Thailand, I would have to let her go. Once we dealt with the demons that chased her, she would have no need to leave Australia.
Her home would be safe for her to stay.
I sighed, sipped my coffee and shifted to look at Beam.
“We have to talk it out when Taz wakes up.” I managed. “With Darby being involved in a different way now, we can’t go at it the same.”
“Because he’s her friend?”
I nodded.
“Let her get some more rest.”
Taz barely slept all night and when she was finally sleeping, I left her alone in bed to make coffee. I thought after we’d made love, she’d be able to rest—but while she told me she was exhausted, I guess the demons were a little louder than usual.
It wasn’t every day one found out that their best friend was working with the enemies to try and get them.
“I can’t imagine having a best friend who wanted to kill me.” Beam sighed. “I want to kick his ass just for that—I mean, P, I barely know Taz and already I can tell she doesn’t deserve this.”
“She doesn’t.”
“What was he thinking?” Beam asked. “He couldn’t have kept this secret forever. How did he think this would end?”
I sighed.
“P’Taz doesn’t deserve this, and he needs to pay.”
“Take some time and let’s make some breakfast.” I told him.
We worked in silence until the smell of the food brought Taz into the room. Her stomach growled loudly, making us laugh.
As we sat down to eat, I could almost see the elephant walk into the room. It was like all of us were trying to avoid it but knew sooner or later it’d be sitting on our chests.
‘I’m going to see Darby’s mother.” Taz gave in.
“Is she really going to help you go after her kid?” I wanted to know.
“She knows Darby is a piece of shit.” Taz shoved some eggs into her mouth. “I was the only one who didn’t walk away when he showed his true colours. I thought—he’d betray everyone else, but I’d always had his back. He wouldn’t do that to me.”
“When someone tells you who they are…” Beam sighed.
“Yeah.” Taz replied sadly. “But this could give us a leg up.”
I agreed and about an hour later, the three of us braved the public transit to visit Darby’s mother. She was elderly—she had him late in her life. But there was nothing frail about her. She was busy in her garden when we climbed from a taxi and walked toward her gate.
At first, she was confused, rising slowly to look at us.
When she saw Taz, a smile spread her lips and she greeted Taz with open arms. Once the introductions were made, she led us into the house, offered us something cold to drink with cookies, then turned serious, pale blue eyes to Taz.
“This isn’t a social call.” She told Taz. “You’ve been in Thailand for a while now—why are you back?”
“Aren’t you happy to see me?” Taz pouted.
“Stop it.” She tapped Taz’s thigh and laughed. “Of course. You’re always welcomed but your eyes—”
“I’m trying to find Darby.” Taz told her.
“What did he do now?”