Page 88 of Flock This

However, one look from my mom when she’d gotten home and I’d broken down in tears. She could do that to me in a way no one else did, like a safe place that existed nowhere else in the world.

So that one touch took me back to that same place, and I went on, trying to keep my voice steady when my mind felt anything but. “I fucked up. Or, well, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I couldn’t fix it.”

“It sounds like it’s pretty serious.”

I nodded, nibbling at my bottom lip. “Yeah, it is. I’m in trouble a lot, but I think this is the worst.”

“What can I do?”

I smiled, trying to ignore the stinging in my eyes. “Nothing. I’m going to handle it.”

I hated lying to my mom, but I reassured myself that it wasn’t a total lie. I would handle it.

Just by losing my life.

My mom scooted closer to me on the couch, her expression even more severe. “You need to lean on other people, Grey. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”

“What are you talking about? I’m always leaning on others.”

“You aren’t. It’s my fault, I think, because of how hard things were when you were little. You learned how to take care of yourself because you had to.”

“That’s not true,” I rushed out, not wanting her to start blaming herself for what were clearly my shortcomings.

She shook her head, her gaze down. “I’m serious. Even after I married Arthur, after we had your brother and sister, you never really fit into the family. You always stood on the outskirts like you were afraid of trying to really be in it. I should have done more, but you were always smiling, always laughing, so I thought you’d eventually get comfortable.” She let out a long slow breath. “You never did, though. Even now, when I can tell you’re in serious trouble, you smile and you tell me everything is fine and not to worry.”

I rubbed my hands against my eyes, frustrated by my mom’s innate ability to undo my composure even when I tried so hard to keep it all together. This was the last time I’d get to see her, and the last thing I wanted was to worry her. If she never saw me again after this, she’d blame herself, she’d worry about not doing more, not helping me more.

“Talk to me,” she said. “Whatever’s wrong, I’ll help you. Arthur will help you. Your brother and sister will help you. You’ve done so much for us over the years that we want to repay it. You have family that cares about you, who will do whatever it takes to help you.”

I swallowed hard, then pulled in a deep breath to steady myself. I met my mom’s gaze, seeing the same blue as my own, and forced myself to bury down the fears inside me about my future. “I’m really okay. You know me—I’m a little dramatic but I always come out on top.” I looked down at my now empty plate, missing the way the sugary treat had distracted me. “You think I could have another slice?”

My mom smiled, though it didn’t quite make it to her eyes. “Sure. I’ll get you another slice.” She rose, then paused for a minute. “I’m not going to press anymore. You’re a strong, smart person, and I couldn’t be any prouder of the woman you’ve become. If you tell me you can handle it, I’ll trust you.”

I looked up at her, ready to tell her thank you, to laugh off her concern, but a fierceness in her eyes made me pause and remain silent.

“I just want you to remember that no matter what happens, I am your mother, and if you need me, I am always here. I don’t care what it is that you’re dealing with, how terrible, how dangerous, how scary, I am always here. I told you when you were little that I’d fight a bear for you, and that’s never going to change.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, making me feel like a child again, before she left to get me that slice of pie.

And for just a moment there, after the way she spoke, the steel that ran through her voice, the sharp edge of her words, I fully believed that my mother could face down the entire council and come out on top.

And even better? I knew without a doubt that at least one person in this entire world would do just that for me.

* * * *

I’d unbuttoned my pants due to the many slices of pie I’d eaten by the time I left my mom’s house, the sun having dipped behind the mountains.

I didn’t want to leave. Part of me wanted to stay right there and just pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist. I wanted to be a normal woman, one who got to live an average life.

Even more so because she’d offered to have me stay in my old room, and fuck, that tempted me. How had I taken that for granted for so many years?

But I knew better. I’d run out on enough things in my life—I couldn’t do it now.

And when I stepped outside the house, when I couldn’t delay the inevitable anymore, I saw what I’d expected.

A limo waiting for me.

Who did it hold, though? Ruben? Kelvin? Galen? Someone else? If they were waiting there, they probably weren’t planning to kill me.

Why would they? I was headed to my own execution. No point in trying to murder me first—it’d just be wasted effort.

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