Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(75)

“Harlow is right, Giana.” Lincoln sits forward on his elbows. “Sinner will only continue to play you both. If you are hidden away, he can’t use you to threaten Lo. It will make things easier for her.”

“What do you think?” Mom tips her chin up, leveling her gaze on Diesel. “From what Lincoln’s told me, Trey trusted you completely.” She glances at me with a wry smile. “He’d never have entrusted our daughter’s safety to you otherwise.” I guess Lincoln has filled in some of the other gaps for Mom.

“I agree that moving you overseas is the best option. I’ve already made plans, and we can stash you at one of our safe houses in Europe. Lincoln has already agreed to go with you, and I’ll have a team guarding you both.”

“What about my daughter?”

“Lo can take care of herself,” Diesel confirms. “She has the guys, and I’m here for her too. We’ll ensure she’s safe. I promise.”

She eyeballs me, scrutinizing my face, as if committing it to memory. “Okay. If you’re sure it’s the right thing to do.”

Air whooshes out of my mouth in grateful relief. “It is, Mom.”

She pulls me into a hug, and I don’t resist, sinking against her, wondering when we last hugged with such genuine affection. I’ve missed her. More than I’ve cared to admit to myself. She’s gone about everything all wrong, but she acted out of love. She sacrificed herself for me and my dad, and that’s all that matters. Any lingering hate in my heart disappears.

“One more thing.” I shuck out of her hold. “Do you have the evidence proving Sinner and The Sainthood murdered Daphne Leydon?” I suspect I already know the answer.

She shakes her head. “If I’d found it, I would have already entrusted it to the FBI. I have no idea where it is or who has it.”

Like I thought. Well, damn it all to hell. We were really hoping the mole had some intel.

“We should go now.” Lincoln stands. “I have your bag from the house in the car, and we can get whatever else you need when we’re abroad.”

“Take Giana to the car,” Diesel says. “I need a word with Lo and the guys.”

“I need to use the bathroom,” Mom says, and I tell her where it is. Lincoln goes with her, and I purse my lips, watching him place his hand on her lower back as he leads her to the downstairs bathroom. He’s awfully protective, and I’ve noticed how he hasn’t taken his eyes off Mom the entire time we’ve been here.

Is it guilt? Responsibility? Or am I right in suspecting it’s more?

“What’s up?” Saint asks, yanking me out of my head and back into the moment.

“I’m wondering why the FBI didn’t tell me about this agreement with Giana. It makes me nervous. I helped broker the deal with Trey, so why would they keep this a secret from me? It makes no sense.”

“Would this have anything to do with those Homeland files?” I ask.

“I doubt it, but at this point, who the fuck knows.” Diesel rubs the back of his neck. “And we’ve still got that DEA asshole threatening us.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spy Bry stiffening.

“I thought you were going to fix that?” Saint huffs out, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

“I met him earlier, and his assholishness hasn’t dialed down. He’s still refusing to play ball, and I’m all out of patience.”

“I say we grab him, force him to tell us, and if he won’t cooperate, we put a bullet in his skull,” Galen suggests.

“He’s a loose end we need to tie up,” Diesel agrees, as Mom and Lincoln return. “I’ll call you later to set that up.”

“Walk me out?” Mom asks, and I trail her outside.

“Are we going to be okay?” she asks as Lincoln climbs into the passenger seat of Diesel’s Land Rover.

“I don’t know, but I hope so. It’s what I want.” Which is a huge step forward for me.

“I never meant for it to happen like this. Please say you believe me.”

“I do. I believe you.”

“I don’t deserve your graciousness, but I’m thankful for it.” She sweeps hair off my face. “Trey would be so proud if he could see you now, Harlow. He loved you so much. I adored the close bond you two shared. Seeing him with you always made me love him even more.” Her lips twitch. “Although, I’m not sure what he’d say about your four new husbands.”

“I’m sure he’d want to kick their asses, but once he saw how good they are to me, he’d be onboard.”

“They are good to you, and I trust them to make you happy and to look after you.”

“You’re not mad?” I tilt my head to the side, wondering if she’s being truthful or she just doesn’t want to leave on a sour note.

“I’m not going to criticize your decision, because you know when you know. You should never deny your heart.”

“I love them, and I know what I want.”

She reels me into a hug. “If there’s anything good to come from this sorry state of affairs, it’s that you have found your future. I look forward to getting to know them better when this is all over and done with.”

“Thanks, Mom.”