Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(68)

I nod, because Mom is getting the fuck off US soil whether she likes it or not.

Footsteps approach, and we turn around. “You need to see this,” Bry says, lifting one shoulder.

We run to the others, dropping to the ground and getting into position. “What’s going on?” I ask.

Caz hands me my binoculars. “I fixed them so you should be able to see.”

“They’re arguing about something,” Theo explains as I lift the binoculars to my eyes.

Mom is pacing the ground in front of Diego, and from the speed her lips are moving and the agitation in her limbs, I can tell she’s shouting at him. She waves her hands animatedly in the air, before grabbing his arm. Her eyes widen as she talks. He shakes his head, removing her grip and backing away. Diego says something else, and Mom shakes her head, reaching for him again, imploring with her eyes. Whatever she wants, he’s not agreeing to. He flings up his hands, shaking his head sadly as he steps back.

Mom’s shoulders lift, and she juts her lip out. Her eyes blaze with a ferocity I’ve rarely seen. She says something else, and it’s a parting shot before she strides to her car, gets in, and peels out of there, tires screeching as she leaves little dust clouds in her wake. Diego stares at the departing car, shaking his head as he pulls out his cell and places a call.

“We need to go after her.” I jump up. “She must be going to meet Sinner now.”

Caz and Theo are already dismantling the large binoculars and the stand.

“What do you think that was about?” Bry asks as Saint and Galen start packing up one of the boxes.

“She’s planning something, and my guess is she asked The Arrows for help and they’ve said no.” I rub a tense spot between my brows. “Or maybe they want her to lay low for a bit, and she’s fed up waiting.” I sigh. “I don’t know, and we won’t until we confront her.”

“We should go now before we lose her,” Bry suggests. “The others can follow us.”

I nod. “We’re going to trail her,” I call out, backing away. “You have her coordinates. Follow us.”

“Lo, wait.” Saint stops what he’s doing, straightening up. “I’d prefer if you stayed with us.”

I don’t have time for his bullshit right now. “I’m going with Bry. I’ll see you there.”

I walk off with Bry in the direction of his Chevy, ignoring the slew of expletives peppering the air behind me.

“He really doesn’t like me.” Bry chuckles.

“Don’t pretend like it’s not mutual,” I drawl, eyeballing Bry as he opens the passenger door for me.

“He needs to get over himself,” Bry says.

I wait for him to slide behind the wheel before I reply. “Saint doesn’t trust easily, and if you grew up with Sinner and no mother, you’d understand.” The reality is, it goes beyond trust. Saint doesn’t like many people I’ve come to realize. He would be perfectly happy living on an island with only me and the guys.

“I grew up without my birth parents, and I’m not a raging asshole,” Bry admits.

“You’re adopted?”

Bry nods.

“I didn’t know that,” I admit.

He shrugs as he turns the key. The engine rumbles, purring steadily, as Bry reverses from his spot. “I was adopted when I was a baby. My parents are the only parents I’ve ever known, and they’ve never treated me any differently to my two brothers. Most times, I actually forget I’m adopted.”

I could’ve sworn he said he had three brothers before, but I was obviously mistaken. “They sound like good people.”

“They are.” He swings the truck around.

“Then you’re luckier than Saint. He had a shit upbringing. Don’t be so hard on him. I think if you both let your barriers down, you’d find you have a lot in common.”

Bry snorts. “I doubt that. But I’m sorry for whatever he’s endured. Sinner is a sick bastard, and I can’t imagine growing up with him as a dad.” Bry moves the truck forward as Caz comes running toward us, slamming his hands down on the hood.

Bry jerks the truck to a halt, scowling in annoyance when Caz rounds the hood, climbing into the back seat.

I roll my eyes. “Seriously?”

Caz grins, popping his head through the console to smack a kiss on my cheek. “Don’t act surprised, queenie. You know what he’s like.”

“Queenie?” Bry’s tone is suffused with amusement.

“My status has been upgraded from princess, thanks to our marriage.” I smirk. “Or that’s the official line. Truth is, I’ve always been a motherfucking queen, and they know it.”

Bry throws back his head, laughing as we start our decline.

“You’ve always been queen of my cock,” Caz supplies, grinning as he sits back, spreads his thighs, and places his hand over his crotch.

“Thanks for stating the obvious,” Bry deadpans as we jolt up and down over bumpy terrain.

“I get it,” Caz replies. “I’d be a jealous prick too if I lost my chance with the only girl who matters.”

“Caz.” I glare at him through the mirror. “Zip it.”

“It would never have happened,” Bry says, eyeing Caz briefly through the mirror. “I’ve made my peace with that, and I’m glad Lo is in my life as a friend. Doesn’t mean I want to hear the deets of your sexual exploits, so keep that shit to yourself.”