Page 129 of The Spare

"If you'll excuse me, Melody,"Maximus says in a clipped tone, striding away from me, headed towards my mother who's laughing at something William is saying to her.

The security guys follow, and I frown, looking over my shoulder to see Stephen a couple feet away, and Mason twenty feet away, walking towards me. I whip my head forward again, and pick up the skirt of my dress to haul ass behind Maximus.

I think I manifested the drama unfolding, and it happens as if in slow motion.

William looks over first, seeing us headed towards them. His eyes narrow as he grabs my mother by the elbow and gestures with his drink towards Maximus, who's moving with more purpose than I've ever seen another person have. Mom's brow furrows in confusion, then she looks over, her mouth dropping open as she locks eyes with Maximus, and her drink slips out of her hand.

I'm about fifteen feet away when I hear the crystal shatter to the floor at her feet. But what happens next draws me up short.

"Donnatella?" Maximus says in a strained voice, stopping just shy of the glass shards.

Donnatella?

My eyes snap to Mom, but she's stuck in an insanely intense battle of let's-see-who-can-blink-first with Maximus. Looking like she's not even breathing, frozen still as a statue.

"It's so lovely to see you again after all this time. You haven't aged a day."

Mother stares like a deer caught in headlights, and in the corner of my eye I see Richard striding towards us with Maribel on his arm, both of their faces drawn tight with worry.

Mason's hand slides around my waist to pull me in, and he bends to my ear. "What's going on?"

"I don't know,"I whisper back. "I don't know what's going on. I just met this guy, and now he's calling my mom Donnatella!"

He frowns. "Maybe he's got her confused with someone?"

I inch closer as Isobel and King come up beside us, and Isobel has a strange look on her face. She stares hard at Maximus.

Leaning into Mason she whispers out the corner of her mouth, "That man looks familiar for some reason." She glances up at Hendrix, who's already alerting their security to move in closer. "Honey, was this man there when I was rescued?"

"No," Hendrix answers quickly, shaking his head.

"Do you mind telling me who that woman is right there?" Maximus steps back and turns to point at me. His gaze suddenly slides to Isobel, who's eyes widen in shock, before coming back to mine.

"I'mMelody. I just told you-"I reply, but Mom takes a step back and then turns and runs in the opposite direction. My brows rise as Mason and I share a look.

"Melody, I have to tell you something-" Mason starts, but Maximus' loud curse interrupts him, and he runs after her, as does William.

Then Richard and Maribel.

My heart pounds hard, seeing the various guests milling about nearby all turning to stare at us.

Hendrix lifts Isobel into his arms and literally hands her to a security guard behind him, tearing after the two men like his heels are on fire. Mason and I glance at each other before taking off as well, ignoring Isobel calling out for us to wait.

Mason and I are faster than Maribel and Richard, passing them in what looks to be a private hallway away from the main reception area.

I hear them before I see them. Their raised voices lead us to a secluded room in the back of the reception area meant for storing extra tables, clothes, and chairs. We burst through the door, hurrying in, seeing Mom, Hendrix, William, and Maximus standing in a circle, and so much security you'd think we were preparing for a terrorist attack.

We pause just outside the center of the room, linking our hands together.

Maribel and Richard comes in behind us, as does the security carrying Isobel, who looks terrified out of her mind.

"Hermosa!"Maribel calls out, running to Mom who is shaking her head and crying, not letting anyone near her. Richard and William stand on either side, trying to touch her. But Maribel runs directly to her and flings her arm around my mother who's barely standing on her feet. "Who are you?What do you want?"she says to Maximus.

Mason hauls me to his side so hard it hurts. I gasp, and Mom sees me, becoming more upset.

"Get her out of here!" Mom yells."Richard, please!"she turns to Richard, grabbing onto his arm.

"Oh my God, am I in danger?"I ask Mason, digging my nails into his arm.