Page 84 of King of Temptation

I shake my head. We both like to play things pretty tight to the chest. It’s one of the reasons we work so well as friends.

Luke scrubs at the back of his neck. “Mason and Leo were at odds for a long time. Leo was looking for reasons to lash out and Mason is so rock solid, he made a good target. Mason doesn’t flinch and he took a lot of Leo’s anger. But when Charlotte became involved…”

I think I understand. Leo’s anger at Mason spread to Charlotte, only my friend isn’t rock solid. She’s fragile.

“It was never about Charlotte, though. Leo never cared about her. He just wanted another reason to really hit Mason hard. I think he was angry that Mason wasn’t more emotional about the loss of their father. And that Mason kept it together when Leo fell apart.”

I turn forward, thinking back to that night in the club when Leo came in blustering about my dancing.

This whole time, I have to be honest, I’ve been wondering why Leo would want me. I believed my stupid ex, that I wasn’t worth much.

But suddenly, I realize that I don’t let Leo get into that space where he loses it. I pull him back. Maybe it’s by kicking him in the shin, or by hugging him.

Even in our bedroom this morning. He pulled it back…

I sit up straighter, feeling valued. Feeling worth something. I like helping people, I always have. And Leo might need me as much as I need him.

Luke and I take most of the rest of the flight in silence.

He rents a car after we land and drives me to my mom’s apartment.

It’s worse than the last time and I stare at it wincing. “Jeez,” I softly whisper under my breath, wondering what Luke thinks about her place.

He’s scanning the street. “Leo is not going to like this at all. We’re going to have to move your mom.”

I turn to Luke, my mouth opening. “Your protection extends to my mom?”

“Well, you’ll come to visit, won’t you?” Luke says, stepping out of the car to come open my door.

He does, helping me out before he grabs my bag. “You want to go anywhere, you call me.”

I take the bag from his hand with a nod. He holds the handle, not releasing the bag. “What do you think you’re going to do about Leo?”

I shrug. “He scared me this morning.”

Luke gives a nod. I appreciate that he doesn’t try to convince me of anything. “Growing up, Leo was my best friend. Still is.”

“Even the past few years?”

“They’re the exception. Not the rule. And honestly, he’s coming back. I see it. If somebody shot my dad right in front of me, I’m not sure how I’d handle it either.”

“Oh,” I whisper. How come no one told me that part? That Leo was there? How would I deal with watching my mom die like that?

Luke lets my bag go and I start for the door. Luke watches me make my way to the front door with its four bells. I know my mom is in apartment C and I ring the bell, hearing her footsteps on the stairs in the house.

She opens the door, opening her arms wide. I step into her embrace, my insides unwinding.

It makes me think of Leo. He doesn’t get to have this. No one loves you like a parent…except for maybe a spouse.

I wave to Luke and then step inside, the stale smell of the hall curling my nose.

My mom brings me up the stairs into her place.

There are boxes everywhere, and the furniture can’t disguise chipped and cracked plaster.

“That’s some hardware you’re wearing,” my mom says as she steps into the kitchen, immediately opening the fridge to pull out food.

“Hardware?”

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