Page 55 of Extraction Play

When Pixie stopped at the door but didn’t move to open it, Eva grabbed the knob. She didn’t have the emotional connection to the situation Pixie did, and if she could protect this woman in any way, she would. Unlocked.

Eva pushed the door open and stepped into a dark foyer. Muffled voices came from farther in. Pixie slipped past her toward the hazy glow at the end.

The creak of their steps on the hardwood broke the silence.

“Hello?” a sharp voice called out.

Pixie stopped. “Where’s my mother?”

Eva halted beside her, breathing in the scent of incense and musty fabric. A moment later, the clack of heels signaled someone was coming their way.

An older woman with gray hair twirled in a loose bun appeared at the end of the short hallway. “Pixie? Maisie’s daughter?”

“That’s me,” she said shakily. Eva took Pixie’s hand and threaded their fingers, wanting to give her strength in whatever way possible.

“Oh, good.” The woman gestured them forward. “Maisie’s in the kitchen. We’re just having a cup of tea.”

Pixie let out a breath, and they followed the woman to the brightly lit kitchen. Someone sat at the kitchen table, clutching tight to a mug of tea. Eva presumed it was Pixie’s mother. Even though she had long, blonde hair, her deep blue eyes and straight nose were similar to Pixie’s.

Silence descended. Pixie’s mother glanced in her direction and smiled. “And who is this?”

Goose bumps prickled up Eva’s arm at how serene the woman seemed when she’d called Pixie in a panic a mere hour ago.

“How did you get inside?” Pixie asked, her tone sharp as she ignored her mother’s question. Eva chewed on her lower lip because Pixie’s mother’s stare hadn’t wavered from her.

“We called a locksmith,” the woman said, extending her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m Gerrie, one of your mom’s coworkers.”

Pixie’s shoulders slumped. “So, I didn’t even need to rush out here?” Her voice sounded small, and it broke Eva’s heart. Eva squeezed her hand as if that might pull her back.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Maisie said, taking another sip of tea. “By the time we’d gotten inside and I’d started to settle down, I’d forgotten to call you back and let you know.”

Irritation roiled through Eva. The woman might not have been in her faculties, but Eva hated the idea of Pixie getting put into this type of situation constantly.

“It was only fifteen minutes ago that we even got in,” Gerrie attempted to justify, coming over to stand by Maisie’s side.

“Do you want to stay for tea?” Maisie asked, lifting her mug. The calmness on her features unsettled Eva. Pixie’s mother acted as if the whole phone call had never happened and they’d just dropped by for a casual chat. “Introduce me to your friend?”

Pixie pulled her hand from Eva’s, grabbed a chair, and faced her mother. “Are you taking your meds?”

Maisie flinched. “Of course I am. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Pixie’s shoulders rounded, and Eva wanted to glue herself to her to offer comfort.

“We were in the middle of a date,” Eva said. “We got your phone call and wanted to check to see if you were okay.”

“Oh, a date?” Maisie’s eyes brightened.

Fuck, maybe she’d overstepped. Except Pixie pushed up off the chair and threaded her fingers through Eva’s. Relief rolled through her.

“Yeah,” Pixie said. “If everything’s okay here, we’re going to get back to it.”

“I’m fine.” Maisie offered a weak smile. She’d clearly been through something, but considering her friend had stepped in and handled the situation, the weight didn’t need to be all on Pixie.

“I’ve got this,” Gerrie said, her gaze softening. “Nice to meet you, Pixie.”

“Likewise.” Pixie tugged at Eva’s hand.

Eva picked up the cue. “We’ll get out of your hair. Hope you two enjoy your night.” With a nod to Gerrie and Maisie, Eva walked them back toward the door. The second they stepped out of the house, Pixie slumped forward.

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