Page 26 of Inflame Me

My mother’s hand begins to tremble.

“I don’t gotta do nothing. Get the fuck out.”

“Who the fuck is this?” The woman’s eyes come to me and my mother, her anger radiating off her. “This your piece on the side?” I want to punch the fucking woman. Can she not see how badly my mother is beaten? What the hell is wrong with her? I rise from the bed, my mother still clutching me.

“I’m no piece of anything,” I say as her eyes pierce into mine.

“I didn’t ask you shit, you stupid bitch,” the woman growls, and my spine straightens.

“Enough!” Dagger barks out.

Rhys comes up behind me, his hand resting on my shoulder, and I feel instant comfort.

“Bullshit, enough. That bitch talks to me, and I get the enough?” the woman—Flash is it?—doesn’t want to give up.

Dagger moves quickly, grabbing the woman and pushing her up against the wall of the room with his forearm.

I jump as fear takes me over. What the hell is he doing? He said he wouldn’t hurt my mother, but he’ll hurt this woman?

“See that girl standing there?”

Flash nods her head, her eyes wide as Dagger points to me.

“That’s my daughter.”

“What?” Flash says in a gasp of disbelief, but Dagger doesn’t answer.

“That woman in the bed is the mother of my child. Now you know what the fuck is going on.” Dagger steps away from Flash, but she stays by the wall, stunned. Dagger turns to me. “Give your mom the medicine.”

My shoulders jump, and I listen to what he says, helping my mother sit up and take the pills while the room stays silent.

“You have a kid?” Flash asks.

“Looks like it,” Dagger answers.

Rhys stands there, almost feeling like a bodyguard of some sort, but surely Flash wouldn’t come after my mother or myself, would she?

“But …”

“No more questions!” Dagger yells, and my mother moans.

“Cameron, stop yelling,” she says quietly.

Flash sucks in a breath so deep it takes all the oxygen from the room. Then her eyes widen and go to Dagger. “Cameron?” she whispers, shaking her head. “No one …” She trails off.

“No, and don’t fucking start.”

“What’s your name?” Flash asks my mother.

“None of your fucking business. Get out,” Dagger orders.

“Mearna,” my mom answers softly.

“Fucking shit,” Flash whispers, looks at Dagger, and then leaves the room in a rush. What the hell is that about?

I turn my attention back to Mom, whose eyes are starting to glaze over. “Mom, you okay?”

“Tired,” she answers, shutting her eyes. It takes seconds before her breathing evens out, and then she is completely out of it. Thank God.