Page 45 of Macon

My ma grabs my facial hair. I laugh, knowing my mom hates it when I grow out my facial hair. I shoo her hand away.

Ma becomes serious and asks, “Is she the one? Let me look at her.”

Instead, I hug her and say, “Mom, please, calm down.”

Releasing my ma, I introduce Sin to my mom. “Ma, this is Sin. Sin, this is my ma, Storm.”

“Holy shit, you do look just like your sister,” my ma mumbles, pulling her into a big hug.

Ma releases her from a hug, instantly moving beside her with her arm around her for support. The sight warms my heart.

I clear my throat, getting Shy’s attention. Wolfe and Cash walk in, moving around us.

“Everyone shut the fuck up and sit the fuck down!” Wolfe booms across the room.

Cash whistles, “Silence.”

I feel Sin move closer to me, halfway hiding behind me. My ma moved with her, sandwiching Sin between us like a mama bear protecting her cub.

Everyone sits down, but Ginger looks enraged. Once she sees Sin, her eyes gloss over, and she moves toward us.

I turn to Sin and point at Ginger. “This is Snow. Shy’s ol’ lady, my cousin, and a good friend to your sister.”

Before Ginger can reach us, I announce to the room, “Everyone, this is Sin, Ray’s sister.”

Ginger pulls her into her arms and gives her a big hug. Sin stands there frozen not knowing how to react.

She must say something to Sin because she smiles and says thank you.

The room erupts into questions, and we try to answer them as best as we can. Most of the questions are about where Raydene is and what we’re going to do to find her. Sin doesn’t say anything, just listens.

While all the discussions are happening, Ginger releases Sin, giving her a reassuring squeeze before setting her sights on Shy and moving toward him, probably to finish arguing about us not telling her in Chicago.

I notice Sin’s focus keeps landing on Alexandria, who’s slowly gotten up and moved toward us.

“You look so much like her,” Alexandria says softly once she’s standing before us.

Sin smiles.

Alexandria starts introducing herself, but Sin cuts her off. “Your Alexandria Mancini.” Shocking both of us.

I turn to Sin. “You know Alex?”

Sin nods with a shy smile.

Alexandria answers, “How?”

Sin bites her lip nervously, wringing her hands.

“I researched you when I found out my sister was trying to help you.”

Alexandria looks at me and then back to Sin. “I’m confused. Help me how?”

The room has become silent.

“She said other girls were being targeted like I was, and she wanted to help…” She pauses, looking around the room, and when her eyes land on Izzy, she finishes, “But she was too late.”

Izzy stands up, moving over to us.

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