Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(64)

“Are you insane?” I yell. “You owe him nothing. He tied you up and raped you with his buddies. In what universe is that okay?”

“I’m not saying it’s okay. I just want to hear him out.”

“Have you considered it could be a trap?” I pace the floor, so enraged I could scream. “Do you know how many times he’s threatened your life?” She doesn’t, because I’ve never admitted it fully, but I’m done holding back.

Mom was safe.

Hidden with protection someplace where he couldn’t hurt her and he couldn’t use her against me anymore.

If she goes back, she will undo everything. “He could kill you, Mom!”

“He won’t get the chance,” she snaps, as if she can outwit him. “We are meeting in a public place for a reason. I’m not as na?ve as you seem to think I am.”

“I can’t support this. I won’t.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“Good, because I won’t be there if you choose to throw your life away by getting back with that fucking psycho, and he is a psycho, Mom. That’s why he’s so dangerous.”

“I know how to handle Sinner.”

No, she doesn’t, or she wouldn’t have ended up tied to a sex sling in our basement, abused, bruised, and bleeding.

“You know what, Mom. I can’t do this anymore. Do what you like. It’s clear my opinion counts for nothing.” I hang up before she can reply, throwing the burner cell at the wall as I scream in sheer frustration.

I drop to my knees, burying my face in my hands.

“Hey.” Theo’s voice is soft as he kneels beside me, scooping me into his arms. “We’ll follow her. Keep an eye on her and make sure she’s safe.”

“How?” I ask, looking into his eyes. They are more brown than green today, and I can see the little amber ring around the edge from this proximity.

“Diesel placed a tracker on her new cell phone. We can go there and watch to ensure he doesn’t hurt her.”

“We can’t.” I shake my head. “The mole is meeting The Arrows tonight. We’ve got to be there. We might not get another chance.”

“We could always split up,” Caz suggests as he walks by carrying a pot of coffee.

“We could,” Saint says. “But separating makes me nervous. It’s better if we stick together. We could ask Diesel or his brother to follow your mom, and I could send a couple guys as well?”

“Let me check with Diesel,” I say, climbing to my feet. I run to the bedroom, grabbing a new burner cell from my stash, and call my trainer-slash-friend. This time, he answers straightaway.

“You okay?” he asks, and his tone is a little off.

“Yes. I’m just worried about Mom.”

“I heard.” He sighs.

“She can’t meet him, Diesel. He’s too unpredictable.”

“It’s too late. She’s already left the place she was staying at with Lincoln.”

“For fuck’s sake. Ugh.” I press my forehead against the wall. “Couldn’t you stop her?” I lean over the railing, noticing the guys sitting down, so I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs with the phone pressed to my ear.

“She’s not a prisoner, Lo. I went over there last night when I got your message, and I tried talking to her, but she refused to listen. She’s not thinking clearly right now, but neither I nor Lincoln could get through to her.”

“I’m worried about her. Plus this could fuck everything up. He’ll use her against me again. This is only going to make everything ten times harder.”

“I know.” His tired sigh trickles down the line.

I slide onto a seat beside Saint, and his hand automatically goes to my thigh. “We have that mole meeting tonight, so we can’t shadow Mom. Could you or Lincoln watch her?” Theo loads my plate with food as I talk.

“It’s already arranged with Lincoln. I have somewhere I must be, but I’m on standby if I’m needed.”

“Saint said he could send a couple guys with Lincoln if you like.”

“I’ve got it handled.” His tone is sharper than usual, and it throws me for a second.

Awkward silence pervades.

“What is it?” I ask, and Saint lifts his eyes to mine, his brow puckering as he listens to one side of the conversation.

“Were you even going to tell me?” Diesel asks, softening his tone this time.

I open my mouth to ask what when it clicks. Shit. I should’ve known he’d find out. “Of course. But I was hoping to tell you face to face.”

“I know things are desperate, but we could’ve found another way.”

“Diesel, I didn’t marry them solely to get Sinner off my back.” Saint squeezes my thigh. “I love them. They’re my future.” It’s as simple as that. My eyes meet Theo’s across the table, and he smiles.

“You’re so young,” Diesel says after a few tense, silent beats. “Too young to make that call now.”

“You don’t get to decide that for me, and I may be young, but I know what I feel in my heart is forever.” He sighs, and I know this has hurt him, because he still has feelings for me. “This is why I wanted to talk to you in person,” I say.