Page 12

Kingsley

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Zane rode the dirt bike on the trail. Kingsley spotted a hill to the right and throttled the bike, shooting forward and taking the jump. He landed on his back wheel ahead of his brother. Back and forth, they raced over the terrain as they had since they were eight years old and got their first motorcycles.

He pulled to a stop above the cabin and pointed the place out to Zane. There was no reason to hike down. Zora knew there was always someone around since putting her under guard.

Zane led the way. He slowed, lowering himself onto the seat, and let the downward roll take him to the edge of the clearing. There was no picture of their mom in the house. He couldn't remember what she looked like. Until yesterday, he'd forgotten about the cookies. The smell had taken him back to a time that escaped him.

Unfortunately, even Zane couldn't remember what she looked like beyond a slim woman with long hair. Though, he could remember screaming and fighting before she left.

Like Zane, most of his memories centered around Elaine, who'd taken care of them until they reached fifth grade, and then Trixie, who made sure they completed their homework and had something to eat if their dad was busy with club business. Both women belonged to members and were still in their lives.

He shut off the dirt bike and toed the kickstand. "Let's get this over with."

Halfway to the cabin, the door opened, and Zora stepped outside. She looked the same as the other day.

"Jesus," muttered Zane.

Kingsley glanced at his brother and instantly knew his suspicions were right. Zora was their mother.

Zora looked from him to Zane. Her face softened, but she worked her hands in worry.

"Explain what you're doing here?" Zane took out a cigarette and lit one—a sign he wasn't as in control as he wanted everyone to believe.

Kingsley stayed where he was, unsure what was going on. It wasn't the first time their dad dropped information in their hands and let them figure it out themselves.

"You do know who I am, don't you, Zane?" Zora's voice trembled. "When Kingsley didn't recognize me, I wasn't sure if either of you would remember me. It's been so long. You were both so young."

"You left," said Zane.

"I've been here..." Zora reached out and ran her hand along a flower bloom in the raised bed. "Twenty-five years."

Kingsley couldn't stop looking at her. His mother. A woman who'd left Gem Haven when he was four years old.

Never once had his dad mentioned she lived on the other side of the mountain.

Whenever he or Zane asked where their mother went, his dad got angry. It was easier to accept she wasn't coming back than it was to get answers out of their dad.

Zane stubbed out his cigarette on the thigh of his jeans and pocketed the butt. "I take it Dad knew you were here the whole time."

Kingsley inhaled swiftly. Of course, their dad knew. He was the one who put her in the cabin and gave her everything she needed to survive. She'd obviously made this place into a home. A home only half an hour from where her sons were raised and lived.

Zora stepped forward. "Ridge is the reason I'm here."

Zane held up his hand, stopping her from getting any closer. "Is there danger or not surrounding you?"

Zora frowned, swinging her hair over her shoulder. "I don't know what you mean. I've told Kingsley there is no reason to protect me or the cabin. I've only had a few people approach my home over the years and they were only curious. Hunters, I believe."

"Why the fuck would you stay here?" he blurted. "You left and never came back."

Zora flinched and wrapped her arms around her middle, cupping her elbows. "There's a lot you don't know."

"Fucking right," muttered Zane.

"I won't cause trouble for you. You don't even have to come here." Zora turned and hurried into the cabin, shutting the door behind her.

Kingsley stepped away, putting the cabin at his back. He wasn't sure how to feel. Once he had left his teen years, he never missed having his mom in his life, so having her near was more of a shock than anything.

"Let's get out of here." Zane strode toward the dirt bikes.

Kingsley looked over his shoulder at the cabin, but the door remained closed. There was still no recognition, only a weird sense that he'd seen her before. Now he knew why.