Page 119 of Captive Omega

Brushing more tears from my cheeks as I walk over to the bedside table, I perch on the side of the bed. I unplug my cell phone from the charger and dial from memory. This is one number I would never forget. Then I press the cool phone against my hot ear and listen to it ring.

Four rings, and then…

“Hello?”

God, Mom’s voice. I squeeze my eyes shut, clamp my hand tight around the phone and it takes everything in me not to drop the phone, walk out of this house and just go home.

She’s alive, and she’s safe. She won’t be unless I deal with Nathaniel Lang and O’Brien.

I force my eyes open and will myself to stay strong. “Mom. It’s me.”

Silence.

“Theresa,” Mom breathes. There’s a soft thump, and I picture her sinking into the brown leather couch that I would always have to peel myself off in summer. Leather, hot weather, and bare skin are a painful combination. “Theresa, is that?—”

“I’m okay,” I interrupt her. “I’m alive, but something has happened and I have to fix it. Once I’ve done it, I can come home. I just need you to know that I’m okay, I’m safe, and I’m coming home to you and Dad soon. I promise.”

She’s speaking when I make myself hang up and turn off the phone, and I hope to hell Nathaniel Lang didn’t have O’Brien bug her phone or trace it here.

Then I brush the tears from my cheeks and crawl back under the sheets, using the pillow to muffle my next round of tears.

Chapter 34

Vaughn

Ilinger outside Resa’s bedroom. Garrison warned me to give her space when I rushed up the stairs. Blaine looked like he’d been about to.

But she was alone and upset.

She hasn’t made one sound, but she’s crying. I know she’s crying.

It’s agony to think of Violet, but with her, I was never alone. Part of what made being in juvie so much worst was the fact she wasn’t there. I was five minutes older, but Violet liked to say I would treat her like it was five years.

Five years or five minutes didn’t change the fact that I was her big brother. Part of what pushed me into being so stupid as to think I could get away with pickpocketing was her. I didn’t care if I went to bed hungry. Didn’t care if I got caught. Anything was worth it if it meant Violet would have what she needed.

Until the first night in the cell.

The first night of my two years away from Violet was hell. That’s when I realized how badly I’d fucked up, and how used to I’d gotten to being a pair. Mom never forgave me for being so stupid, but Violet did. She understood why I’d done it, even if Mom didn’t.

And I get it. I was an idiot. Violet always wanted to do what I was doing. Mom knew it wouldn’t be long before Violet wound up in juvie just like me.

I get it. But I can’t pretend it didn’t hurt when I got out and I didn’t have a home to go back to. I was on my own. Until I met Garrison and Blaine who gave me a home and a job when no one would touch me because of my past. Then Violet tracked me down, wanting to be with me instead of with Mom back in California.

I never left Violet alone when she was hurting, and she didn’t do the same for me. To know Resa is hurting and to do nothing…

I lift my knuckles to knock again, and then I remember Blaine. He was hurting so much after the car crash. I pushed. And I pushed. And I pushed.

I lower my hand, not wanting to push so hard, I push Resa away. If she needs a little space for a bit, I can give her that.

I can try and give her that.

I walk back downstairs. No one has moved from the table, and Blaine is frowning as I sink into my seat. “I just wanted her to know I was sorry. And, uh, that I could kill the guy if she wanted.”

“Vaughn…” Garrison rumbles.

“Yes, I know. I’m giving her space,” I say. It’s not easy to wait for her to say what she needs instead of asking, but I’m trying.

Blaine relaxes into his seat. “She’ll come down when she’s ready to speak to us.”

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