Page 34 of Scorned

“Just tell me what you need to tell me so we can get this over with.”

She cleared her throat before attempting to sound stable again. “Janene wants to meet with you as soon as possible.”

The fact she would use my mother to get to me had me furious. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to fall for your tricks? Fuck off!”

I hit the end button on the phone, causing Winnie to throw his hands out.

“What the hell! Why the fuck did you hang up on her?”

“She said my mom wanted to see me. She’s lying, Winnie.”

“Do you know for a fact?” The way his eyes narrowed on me had me doubting my decisions.

“Well, no, but—”

“This could be our only chance at finding out where Luka is located and you hung up on her!”

I pushed back my apprehension and thought about the situation.

Could I trust Naomi? Hell no.

Would I risk being murdered to find Luka? Hell yeah, I would, so why did I hang up on her?

“Fuck, Winnie. Should I call her back?”

“Prob—”

The phone vibrated in my hand, ringing again. “It’s her. What should I say?”

“Umm, answer it.”

With a deep breath, I clicked the phone on. “I’m sorry, I—”

“Sagelynn Argent, did I not teach you manners?”

My heart raced at the sound of the familiar voice. The person on the other end was not one I’d expected. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby. It’s me.” Her words cracked with emotion, sending tears brimming my lids.

I hadn’t gone more than a week without speaking to or seeing my mother in my life before this. She was my person. One I knew would constantly be there for me. I missed her more than I could ever express.

As I stared at the phone, I pictured her beautiful face with her high cheekbones framed by her dark hair. Her sweet smile and caring nature. I’d missed it.

“Are you still there, sweetie?”

“Yeah,” I croaked, trying hard to hold my emotions back. “I’m still here.”

“I can’t be long, but I need to see you. I can’t go any longer without hugging my only child.”

Worries of me being captured left me the very second the words fell out of her mouth. The one thing in this world I would bet my life on was the fact my mother wouldn’t do anything to put me in harm’s way.

“When and where?” I asked.

“Oh. I don’t know. I didn’t expect you to answer so quickly.” She let out a small laugh. Angelic and pure . . . like her.

Winnie cleared his throat, getting my attention. “Tell her to hold on.”

“One sec, mom.” I hit the mute button. “What, Winnie?”

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