Page 109 of Mimic

I looked at Cash. “Aspen should be here.”

Cash’s brow scrunched, and he asked, “Why?”

“Please just get her.” He studied me for a moment before looking at Jack. “Go tell Banshee to bring Aspen in here.”

Jack left the room, and everything was quiet until he returned with Banshee, and Aspen stepped in behind him.

My mother gasped and stood from her chair. “Irene? What are you doing here?”

“Diana?” Aspen’s eyes grew large before tears slipped down her cheeks as she stared at my mother. Her sister. She pulled her lips between her teeth and looked at Banshee before turning back to my mother.

My mother moved slowly around the table until she stood in front of her sister. I could see the similarities between them now, and I wondered how I had missed it.

My mother reached out to Aspen, and she stepped back, bumping into Banshee, who caught her before she stumbled.

I rushed over and placed a hand on Aspen’s arm. “It’s okay. You’re okay. You’re safe.” I looked at my mom over my shoulder and smiled. “You’re my aunt,” I told Aspen.

“What?” She looked at me, then back to my mother.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl.” I laughed through my tears. “And a boy,” I added. “But he’s throwing a tantrum at the moment. He’s good at those.”

I heard King scoff, and my mother reprimanded me, “Rosie. Be nice to your brother.”

Jack threw his head back and laughed, cutting the tension. “She’s the only one besides Indie, and my old lady, who knows how to handle the kid’s tantrums.”

“Shut up, Jack,” Blade hissed.

“I don’t understand,” Aspen said, looking at my mother.

“It’s a long story, Irene—”

“Aspen.”

“What?” my mother asked.

“I’m not Irene anymore. She died two years ago. It’s Aspen now.”

“I guess we both have stories to share.”

Aspen nodded. She looked around the room. “Is Haizley here?”

King groaned. “She’s gonna rip my fucking balls off. Gunner, call your old lady.”

“Who’s Haizley?” my mother asked.

“She’s a therapist. You’ll love her,” Bane said, reaching out for her hand. “I think between her and Torment, we should be able to work through all this shit.”

“Dr. Dunaway is here?” I asked.

“Out in the main room, with Payne.”

I turned around and glared at Cash. “And you didn’t think maybe I needed him here when I reunited with my mother?”

“Baby, you know how your brother is. Torment and I both thought it was a good idea that he wait.”

“You’re seeing Torment?” my mother asked. I swallowed the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat any time even the idea that I had to tell my mother what happened to me popped into my head.

I didn’t want to make her sad. I didn’t know how to tell her without her feeling guilty because she wasn’t there.