Page 48 of The Devils' Darling

My mom bursts into tears and hugs me tight. I find myself crying as well, burying my face against her shoulder.

“I thought you were dead,” she cries, over and over. “I thought you were dead, I thought you were dead.”

I untangle myself from her grip and wipe my face. “I’m not, Mom. I’m all right. I’m safe.”

Twin lines appear between her brows as she takes me in. “What on Earth are you wearing?”

I shake my head. “It’s a long story.”

“It can go in the furnace,” Dom says. “You’ll never have to see that dress again.”

“Why are you wearing a wedding dress?” Mum’s voice is faint, and she pales. “Oh, God, Mackenzie what happened?”

“Mom, I’m okay, truly. I will explain, but please, not right now. I’m so tired.”

“You’re not married?” Nataniele asks, his tone suspicious.

That man is so close to guessing our secret.

“No,” I say, “because your son and Tino made sure that didn’t happen. I’m so grateful he’s going to be my stepbrother.” I add that last bit hoping it isn’t too much and hoping it will throw Nataniele off the scent.

He merely gives a non-committal low hum and nods.

Thankfully, my mom doesn’t press me further; she simply fusses some more. I don’t want to have to explain to her how Kirill and I came only seconds away from being married. Or remotely get drawn into what happened in that damned basement.

She looks to Tino, and Dom, and Kirill. “Thank you for bringing my girl home safely. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

Except I’m not her girl now. With everything that’s happened since we came here, I’ve gradually felt those apron strings unravel. This is how it’s supposed to be. I’m twenty years old. I shouldn’t be dependent on my mother. It’s normal for someone my age to want to form their own family, and I’ve chosen that family in the Devils.

One day, I’m going to have to tell her that, and I don’t think it will go down well. Now is not the time, however. We’ve already got too much to deal with. We can do without that bombshell landing.

“She suffered a small seizure,” Dom tells my mom.

Fresh concern fills her eyes. “Oh, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

I lower my chin. “I need my meds, and I’m exhausted.”

She clasps my shoulder. “Of course. Let’s get you up to your room. You’ll need something to eat and drink, too. And a shower.”

She’s not wrong, but I don’t want her to be the one to be with me. “It’s okay, Mom. The guys can take me. I need to talk to them about some stuff. I’ll come and find you later. Is that all right?”

She drops her hand. “Oh. Okay.”

My rebuke has hurt her feelings, but that’s how it has to be now.

“Come,” Nataniele says. “Let’s leave them to sort themselves out. We’ll expect you later this evening.” He addresses this to me and Dom. “We can talk then. Tino, thank your men for me.”

When they leave, I release a long breath from between my lips.

“Actually,” Kirill says, interrupting the moment and not meeting my eye when I turn to him, “I need to take a shower as well. I’ll head back to my room and catch up with you later.”

“We’ll be in the den,” Dom tells him.

“Kirill,” I call after him, suddenly anxious.

He pauses and glances over his shoulder at me.

“Are you okay?” I ask. It feels like a feeble thing to say, but it’s what I want to know. Of course he’s not okay.

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