Page 73 of Puck Blocked
“You lovebirds ready to hit the road?” he asks, his voice way too fucking cheery.
“Ready,” Montana says.
“Great, let’s do this.” Gray holds the door open for us, pulling it shut as soon as we’re through.
“Uncle Luke, Uncle Luke!” Graycee calls out, running up the footpath and barreling towards me.
I drop the bags on the ground to catch her. “Graycee!” I yell back, matching her excitement.
“You and Daddy are going on a trip,” she says. “You’re supposed to say goodbye to me first.”
“I was just heading over to do that. You beat me to it.” I hug her tight. When I set Graycee back on her feet, she gives me that look that tells me she doesn’t buy my bullshit.
“Mama says Montana is my auntie now. 'Cause you got married.”
“I did,” I tell her.
“I like having aunties.” Graycee grins. “Auntie Aliyah says that aunties are better than uncles.”
I place a hand over my heart. “No way. I don’t believe that. I thought I was your favorite, Graycee.”
“Mmm, I think Uncle Liam is,” she deadpans.
Well, way to bruise my ego, kid.
“Graycee, baby, we have to go.” Gray walks in and scoops up his daughter. “And you have homework to do, remember?”
“I remember.” Graycee nods.
“I’ll see you when I get back, Graycee,” I call after them. Then pick up the bags and head towards the car with Montana.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
There are so many people. Personally, I think it’s a bit much. I mean, we’re talking about an unstable woman who’s out to get me here. Not an army. I’ve been trying to feel something for my mom. I’ve been replaying memories from a time when she was actually a mother to me.
I loved her. Back then, she did everything that a mother should do. She was loving, caring. And then one day she decided she didn’t want that anymore. I don’t get it. I’m tempted to ask Luke if I can go with him. To see her. I want to ask her why I wasn’t enough. Why Sean wasn’t enough… What made her go and find a new family…
I wish I didn’t have these questions. And I know the reality of getting the answers is slim. Then again, maybe I’m better off not knowing? I mean, the truth isn’t always freeing. Sometimes it hurts more than the unknown.
“I’ve raided the vending machine.” Aliyah drops an armful of snacks onto the bed. We arrived at the hotel an hour ago. Luke and Gray went with some of the guys who work for the Monroes to the farm where my mother is supposed to be.
Somehow, Liliana’s cousins managed to close off the rest of our floor at the hotel. They have security posted at all the exits as well as surrounding the outside of the building.
“Thanks,” I say, picking up a chocolate bar.
“You know, it took me a really long time to realize that I wasn’t the reason my mother was insane. You’re not the reason yours is either,” Aliyah says, then adds, “I feel like we’re kindred spirits, sisters in another life or something.”
“Kindred spirits?”
“We both have fucked-up mothers who wanted us dead.” She smiles, but there’s a sadness in her eyes.
“I just couldn’t imagine ever wanting to hurt someone in my family. When I have a child, I’m certain I’ll want to protect them. Keep them away from anything that could harm them. How could a mother do this to her own child?” I ask her.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s not them. Maybe they’re possessed by some evil demon or something? No one knows why some people are totally zen and others are unstable. It’s just life. And as shitty as the cards that you’ve been dealt are, you are stronger for it. You’ve survived a lot, Montana. And this? It’s going to make you question a lot, but don’t let it derail what you’ve already achieved.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you. You really have been so kind and just… accepting of me.”
“Because I’m amazing, obviously. But amazing can recognize amazing. The moment I saw you, I knew you were an awesome person.”
