Page 117 of A Little Naughty

Following her out the glass doors, we round the corner to the narrow alley separating the office building from our house.

Raif stands in the yard with a pretty woman who has long, dark hair. She’s wearing a dark, V-neck shirt with lots of necklaces, and a long, black skirt with flowers all over it. She looks about ten years older than me, and the way she smiles and moves her hands is so familiar.

Nikki freezes in place at the same time the woman looks up to where we’re standing. The flash between them is unmistakable. The woman’s face crumples and tears spring into her eyes.

Nikki breaks into a run, screaming at the top of her lungs, “Mama!”

My heart is in my throat, and I grip Piper’s arm.

A soft, “Oh…” slips from her lips.

I can’t seem to move. I’m frozen in place watching Nikki crying and hugging her mother, who’s on her knees holding her and touching her hair, her body, her cheeks as if to be sure she’s real.

“I never gave up on you, Mama,” I hear Nikki whimper, and hot tears flood my eyes.

Adam clears his throat, putting his hand on my shoulder. “She said she’d seen the news about Bill’s death. She recognized him and thought maybe her daughter was here. I knew as soon as she walked through the door…”

“It’s unmistakable.” I haven’t taken my eyes off the two of them, laughing and crying and hugging each other like they’ve survived another war.

It’s like a swirling, out-of-body experience, where I don’t know which way is up or if happy is supposed to be this sad.

Not until I see Raif’s face.

His eyes lock on mine, and he strides to where I stand, surrounded by my friends. Without a word, I rush into his arms. Strong arms surround me, and he holds me tight, as if he’s pulling me back together and giving me the strength I need to face this.

“Hold onto me,” he says quietly, and I do.

I feel the tension in his body, and I know like me, he’s struggling with this new thing, this thing that will change everything for our little family.

Releasing me, he turns, holding my hand as we approach them. Nikki’s mother rises slowly, tears coating her face. Nikki’s arms are around her waist, and her head is buried against her side.

“I’m Vivienne.” Nikki’s mom holds out her hand. “Are you the one who saved my daughter?”

Pain aches in my chest, but I take her hand, forcing myself to smile. “I’ve always wanted to call it that.”

She only holds my hand a moment before pulling me into a hug. Her body is so tense, and she holds me so firmly.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I haven’t spent a single day without fear, trying to get back to her.”

My hand is on Nikki’s back. She’s clinging to her mother like a baby monkey, and it twists the pain in my chest.

“Why did you leave her with Bill?” I try to keep my voice neutral, not accusatory.

“I had no choice.” She cringes as if the memory hurts. “We had no food; we had no options. I couldn’t work. A woman told me about a place in Canada that would help us. She said I could leave Nikki with Bill, and she would be there to watch over her.”

“You trusted her?” It’s hard for me to believe.

“I trusted my friend.” She hugs her daughter again. “I promised I’d be back, but when I came back they were all gone.”

I’m not sure if I should feel guilty. “Bill’s place was raided, and they took everyone away. I got Nikki before they got her.”

A shiver moves through her shoulders, and her eyes squeeze shut. “It’s a miracle I found you.”

I don’t know about miracles, and I’m still frustrated she would leave her daughter with that man, even if she had someone watching her. Raif puts his arm around me again, and Piper steps up beside us.

“Hi, Vivienne, is it?” She smiles. “I’m Piper Jackson. This is my fiancé Adam, who you met… Anyway, are you planning to spend the night? Do you need a place to sleep?”

I hadn’t even thought of that.

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