Page 102 of Lie With Me

We arrive at the airport where Jackson’s private jet is waiting to take us back to New York. During the ride, Margo explains that she had her investigator look into my background. She says she found out I stole money from Petey and had to disappear, which explained why I changed my name so that it would be harder to find me. She even repeatedly apologizes for her behavior in Connecticut, but it all just seems stupid to me now.

Even after we board, the plane waits to take off. I don’t think much of it, letting Margo help me get comfortable on my stomach while she brings me ice for my back and my eyes. There’s a chance I may have a concussion, and I’m not sure I should be flying, but I’m too tired to care, and don’t want to go to a hospital.

I just want to go home.

To Tripp.

“How did you find me?” It’s been bugging me since she walked through the door. How did she know where to look? And that I owed Petey so much money?

“My dear, I’mme. I know everything.” There’s a quick upturn of her lips before her expression turns melancholy again as she strokes my hair.

The bodyguards eventually make it on the plane, briefcase in hand, and I look at Margo questioninglyas the flight crew closes the door, and we get ready to take off.

“What?” she asks. “Did you think I was going to let him live?”

“You’re fucking scary, Margo.” The news of Petey’s death barely rocks me. Sleep keeps trying to claim me, but every time I nod off, she gently prods me back awake. She gives me a bottle of water and makes me take a few sips before giving me some pain pills.

“Yes, I am. Forget about being a dragon, my dear. I’m a mother, and they messed with the wrong one.” She laughs gently, pulling my hair off my face. “Why didn’t you just ask Tripp for the money, Valentina?”

“I would have never asked him to do that. Besides, it’s the same thing. I owed Petey. I would have owed Tripp. I don’t want to owe anyone. It’s my own mess. I would have figured a way out of it, eventually.” I think about the deal Tripp and I made and how the money he said he’d pay me would have more than gotten me out of trouble. I’d decided weeks ago that I wouldn’t take it, even though I knew he’d have handed it over in a heartbeat if I’d told him the whole truth about my past and what I was hiding from.

“We could have made life a little easier if you’d have just asked,” she says softly.

“You never wanted me with your son, Margo.” I shift so my hair falls over my face again, hiding me from view. “And if I had asked, I’d be no better than the gold-digger you thought I was. I’ve worked hardall my life. This is no different. Lifeishard for the majority of us. If anything, I was hoping you could at least respect that.”

She pulls my hair away before moving to be in my direct line of sight. “Idorespect you, Valentina. It takes a very strong woman to grow up the way you did and to still try and take care of your mother. It shows good character, not to mention iron will and humility. Your circumstances have been dreadful, yet still, you carried on and tried to better your life without asking for handouts. Tripp filled us in on your deal. That money alone would have gotten you out of trouble.”

“I would have never taken the money from him.” Tears fill my eyes once more, and I heave a frustrated sigh.

I’m so sick of crying.

“I know that.” She cups my cheek.

“How do you know that?”

It’s an automatic response to tense as she surges forward. She catches it, pausing before she lays a chaste kiss on my forehead. “Because I know how much you love him. I can see it as clearly as your lovely face. I am truly so sorry for the way I acted in Connecticut. I know that it will be easier said than done, but I hope that we can move forward from this.” Tears line her eyes as she looks at me affectionately. “Because I would very much like to show you how a real mother issupposedto treat her daughter.”

Tripp

My knee bounces uncontrollably while I sit and stare at my front door. It’s causing me literal, physical pain to wait for my mother to bring Valentina home to me. My stomach twists and twines into knots as time passes, my lungs heavy with shallow breaths. Each one hurts, like my ribs are splintered and pressing into them with every intake of air.

As soon as Jackson informed me where my mother asked his jet to go, I called her. Hours passed by the time she returned my call. She has Valentina with her—only the situation is so much worse than I could ever possibly imagine.

“She’s been through a lot, Tripp. You’re going to be very angry when you see her. I need you to rein that in and be strong for her. Do you understand? She may very well break when she sees you.”

“Why would I be angry? The only thing I’m angryabout is that you went to get her without telling me. It should have been me. I’m not angry with her.”

“No, dear. When youseeher, youwillbe angry. It’s her story to tell you when she’s ready. Just know that some very bad men found her before I could. But she’s safe now. And we will be home soon.”

The conversation I had with my mother earlier replays over and over in my head. I’ve never been a violent man. Then again, I’ve never been a jealous one either. Not until Lenni.

My hands clench repeatedly, itching to land a blow into the face of every single man who touched her. Thoughts of the worst possible kind swirl in my brain. What does it mean that they found her before Mom could? Did they hurt her? Was she…violated?

A soft sigh comes from the couch, and I look over to see Ginny rubbing her stomach absentmindedly. “Poor Lenni. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling right now. She never really spoke about her mother. I’m sure she’s devastated now that she’s gone. If she would have just said something, I would have gone with her. I hate that she dealt with it alone.”

A harsh laugh leaves me as I think about what Jackson would have done if his wifehadgone with her friend. Everyone in the area would be dead if anyone dared lay a hand on Ginny. Just like whoever messed with Lenni will be once I find out who they are. “I’m glad her mom is dead.”

Both Jackson and Ginny look at me with furrowed brows. “That’s an awful thing to say! And so unlike you, Tripp,” Ginny exclaims.

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