Page 42 of Scorned

“You’re welcome. The busser will be here in a second with your soup.” Vivi’s smile was pure arrogance when she strolled off.

I contemplated kicking her ass later, but I was certain she could take me without looking . . . and probably while chugging a bottle of whiskey.

I sighed and picked up a fry from my plate. After popping it in my mouth, my gaze drifted to my mom. “Are you going to tell me?”

She fiercely stabbed her salad before looking up. “Tell me this first. Why do you need to know?”

I swallowed down my fry, and my nervousness, and attempted to be vague. “They took someone close to me.”

“You’re talking about that person. Luke.”

“It’s Luka. And how do you know?”

“Nicole told me.” I immediately recognized Naomi’s code name and wondered what else she told my mom. She took a bite of her salad and chewed it while she bought herself time to think. After swallowing and taking a sip of her tea, she let out a hard breath. “I need more information before I can help.”

“I’m going to go there,” I stated in a low voice, causing her brows to furrow.

“To save him?”

Another shadow caught my eye, and I realized I had stopped watching my surroundings. When I looked up, my mouth dropped open.

What the fuck?

“Here’s your soup, ma’am.” Winnie set a bowl in front of my mother before staring at me. “It’s the last of it. There’s no more soup for you, miss.”

The dominatingly cocky grin Winnie had on his face made me want to punch him.

“Thank you,” my mom said, breaking our eye contact.

“You’re welcome.” Winnie gave her a charming smile before leaving.

“The wait staff here is impeccably nice. And very good looking, might I add.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Back to our topic. Yes, I’m going there.”

I picked up my burger and took a bite. It had been so long since I had any real food, I almost forgot how much I used to enjoy eating. The deliciousness made me forgive Vivi pretty quickly.

“They will capture you, or worse.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “They could kill you.”

“I’m not going alone.” I took another bite, savoring every second before I realized Winnie was right. I wasn’t living. I was only eating to survive.

“Why do you have this desperate need to go?” she asked in a stern voice, seemingly irritated with me. “Why, Marie?”

I took a swig of my tea, then scanned the room. No threat. Not like I had to worry much with Winnie and Vivi here. I couldn’t help but wonder if Drag was in there washing dishes. “It’s not important. I only need—”

My mother smacked her hand on the table, bringing my full attention back to her. Her voice was low, but firm when she said, “You look me in the eye right now and tell me exactly why you feel the need to go save this man. And I won’t ask again.”

A shadow brought my attention away from her gaze. “Let me refill these.” Vivi held a pitcher, topping off our iced teas.

“For fuck’s sake.” I threw my napkin down as frustration filled me. “Because I need to save him, Mom!”

She sucked in a breath as she glanced nervously at Vivi. “Marie, we can talk—”

“She knows who I am. Her name isn’t even Carol.”

Mom’s mouth dropped open as she looked up at Vivi. “What?”

“They have my mate. My husband, so to speak,” Vivi said with a sadness in her voice. “If you don’t tell us, I may not see him again.”

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