Page 87 of No More Secrets

Tears flood her eyes.

Turning back to the counter, she butters the bagel slice with a shaky hand.

“It won’t happen again.”

She’s heard that before, too. What makes this time any different?

Shiloh pulls a sleeve over her palm and dries her eyes before putting the bagel on a plate and pouring a glass of orange juice. She takes both to the table.

Her mom settles into the chair across from her and reaches for her hand. “Ellis won’t bother you again.”

“A restraining order won’t keep him away,” Shiloh mutters around a mouth full of food, pulling her hand away. For that to happen, her mom would have to call the police when he returns, and she fears he will. He sweet-talked and threatened Harmony once before. It’s only a matter of time before he tries again. He’s a man who likes to be in control.

“I’m also pressing charges against that man who kidnapped you.”

Her bagel plunks on the plate. “He didn’t kidnap me. I ran away from you.”

“He took you to LA.”

“Because I was already in Hollywood. Finn dumped me, and Lucas came to get me. He was worried about me. I asked him to take me to the Grove before he brought me here. God.” She cries with frustration. “Have you listened to anything I’ve told you?” Her mom also read the report she wrote. But nothing has swayed her. “You’re using Lucas to make up for what you did. Charging him won’t change the fact you let your boyfriend touch me and you didn’t believe me.”

Her mom flinches.

“I’m trying to protect you now.”

“You’re going after the wrong guy. Lucas rescued me when two guys were attacking me. And when a guy I thought that I could trust ditchedme in Hollywood, he’s the one that came to help me. Not you. It’s never been you. You always put the next high and your guys above me. How am I supposed to believe this time is any different than before?”

“That man has a record. There was already a warrant for his arrest. He was dangerous.”

“I felt safer with him than I ever did in my own house.”

Her mom releases a shuddering breath. “You don’t mean that.”

Someone knocks loudly on the front door, and Shiloh jumps in her seat.

Her mom twists in her chair to look toward the door. “Expecting anyone?”

Nerves skitter down her arms as her thoughts go directly to Ellis. She shakes her head. “You?”

“No.” Her mom peeks through the peephole. “It’s that woman who notified the police about you.”

“Who?” Shiloh moves cautiously toward her mom.

Harmony unbolts and opens the door.

“Is Shiloh home?” a woman asks.

“She is.” Her mom opens the door wider to reveal Sophie and another woman.

“You.” Shiloh sneers. She’s the one who called the cops on Lucas. Shiloh has never been as humiliated as she was to be escorted from the Grove to a waiting police car, where she was taken to the hospital and examined before meeting up with her mom. She can only imagine how Lucas must have felt. They were both on the news that night. Shiloh will never live that down when she returns to school.

“Lucas is a good guy, and you screwed him over,” she accuses Sophie.

“I know. I made a mistake. That’s why I’m here. Can we come in and talk?”

Shiloh crosses her arms and scowls.

“Yes, please do. I haven’t had the chance to properly thank you for returning Shiloh to me.” Her mom shows the two women inside. They both wear pantsuits. Sophie is taller, and the other woman has a file and paper pad.