Page 214 of The Curse Trilogy

Chapter 7

Shattered Secrets

“I suggest steering clear of the market and shopping centers. My mother won’t be able to hide indoors,” Brazen grouses while clipping his captain’s badge to his belt.

“I’ve got back-to-back-to-back interrogations this morning. I doubt I’ll run into her there. If I do, I won’t be the one wanting to hide. That’s the one place I never fight fair,” I murmur deviously, and he smirks while smoothing his lips over mine.

“I actually hope my mother swings by in that case,” he jokes, and I laugh lightly before walking out with him.

“You want to do lunch, or will you be too busy?” he asks while kissing the back of my hand.

“I’ll have to call you when I know for sure. It depends on how quickly I can wrap up the list I’ve got waiting.”

“There you are, darling,” Greta coos from behind, and I instantly try to drop Brazen’s hand.

Damn stalking mother! Crap.

He clings to me, not allowing my hand to escape, and then he even pulls me closer as she rushes over to hug him.

“I looked everywhere for you after the lockdown, but you wouldn’t answer my calls,” she grumbles.

“I stayed with Araya last night, and I left my phone on silent,” he lies.

His phone rang numerous times, but we were otherwise engaged for the better part of the night. I almost wish I could rub her bitch face in that.

“I see,” she rolls out in distaste. “I suppose she didn’t want you to talk to me,” she says, her eyes slicing through me like uranium tipped blades.

“I told you, my phone was on silent. Araya and I are together, so don’t start this again. I swear I won’t speak to you at all if you do.”

I lean into him after hearing his protective words, and his arm wraps around my waist to further emphasize his point. I almost want to pull his face to mine and plant an I-want-to-fuck-you-now kiss on him.

“I’ve already heard the two of you broke up because she went after another hybrid,” she murmurs with malicious intent, and her eyes wickedly cut toward me once again.

Balls. Loud mouth gossipers.

“That’s not why we broke up,” he growls. “We’re back together, and you can get the fuck over it or stay out of my fucking life. Excuse us, we have real things to worry about.”

He jerks me away from her, and I almost have to run to keep up with his vicious pace.

“I’m so sorry,” he huffs out guiltily.

“You didn’t do anything to apologize for,” I mutter in confusion.

“I’m sorry for my mother,” he sighs.

“Why? It’s not like you control her. She’s an individual with her own opinions - opinions you don’t share.”

He smiles lightly, and then he even lets out a small laugh as his pace slows to a more feasible stride. He pulls me into his arms suddenly, and his lips tangle against mine.

“What?” I muse while grinning because of his infectious smile.

“You’re just very refreshing sometimes,” he snickers out.

“I’m not sure what I did to provoke this,” I mutter with a goofy grin.

“That’s why you’re so refreshing, baby,” he snickers out.

I’m confused by his amusement, but I don’t question him anymore because I’m relishing the sweet taste of his lips twisting with mine. His hands pin mine over my head as the wall presses against my back, and we ignore the scrutinizing eyes glaring their disbelief and distaste for our not-so-discreet make-out session.