Page 47 of Securing Samantha

“I didn’t stutter. You scooped up Emma and didn’t give me or LJ another glance.” Samantha’s voice cracked.

“Ladies before we go any further, I have HIPPA laws to maintain. I can’t divulge anything said in therapy. If you say it, then it lies on you. I will only moderate. With that said, Kassie, you know from experience sometimes things seem different when your brain processes things.”

Kassie nodded.

Samantha glared at Claire. “Are you saying I exaggerated?” Her focus turned to the guard in the room, “Why are you here, Victoria? I thought my son was watching a movie with the girls and you and Ivan.”

“I’m here to ensure everyone talks this out. Ivan took the children over to the team base and he’s making sure the team leaves us alone long enough to discuss this. Husbands meddle in things they have no business in.” Victoria shook her head as Carol and Maddie agreed with her.

“I don’t think you exaggerated anything. You experienced something extremely traumatic. Sometimes our minds take time to process everything. Then you discovered Whiskey,” Claire explained.

“If James knew how much you meant to me, he’d kill you with me watching. I had to appear unconcerned for you and LJ so he’d dismiss you. You’ve got to believe me; I’d never put you in harm’s way. Ash told them when I planned to come down the mountain with Em.”

“It’s true. Ash did a ton of stuff to a lot of people. He conned our men for a long time. They thought he acted as their friend and brother,” Catherine put in her two cents.

“It’s not about one incident or two, it’s like a snowball effect. The incident with James started the ball rolling. Then I found out you knew about Whiskey,” she told the women. “You chose sides and frankly I’m tired of fighting the inevitable. We aren’t meant to remain friends. Sometimes you have a friend in your life for a reason. Our time passed when I convinced you to trust in Chase and even then you didn’t listen.”

Kassie’s mouth dropped. Catherine’s face pinched up in anger.

“Nobody said she did everything perfectly. Okay, maybe I did when I stayed mad at her. The truth is, I experienced a tiny bit of what Kassie went through when I considered running as my only choice. It sucks. Don’t judge her for making a mistake,” Catherine came to Kassie’s defense.

“Oh, you forgave her easily. Yet not once did you call and check on me. You went on with your life as if nothing happened,” Samantha accused.

“I did not. Things happened to me too. You didn’t want to see us. You’ve avoided us too.” Catherine gritted out.

The timer went off and Maddie pulled out a fresh baked sheet of her homemade cookies. Carol handed the girls a glass of wine while Catherine grimaced at the glass of milk in a wine glass set in front of her.

The doorbell rang and a smiling Elizabeth entered Kassie’s cabin.

She suddenly stopped when she felt the tension radiating throughout the room.

“Am I interrupting?” The smile faded from her face.

Kassie pasted on a fake smile. “No, of course not. We’re eating cookies and drinking a glass of wine.” She shot a murderous gaze at Victoria and Maddie, who turned her head pretending she saw nothing. Victoria sent her a wide grin and a wave.

“Why don’t you join the girls for a glass of wine while I get the cookies ready,” Maddie suggested. Her southern manners caused her to smile through a crisis while feeding everyone.

“Thank you. I only need a minute of Kassie’s time. We need your signatures on these items.” Elizabeth began to pull papers from her bag.

Seeing her opportunity to escape Samantha stood. “I don’t feel like wine tonight. I need to pick up my son.”

“You’re walking out now? You accuse me of something so heinous and walk out,” Kassie sneered.

Elizabeth halted pulling out more papers. Victoria laughed. Maddie slammed down the cookie plate and Carol cleared her throat.

“You’ll have to excuse the toddlers at the table, they didn’t take their naps today,” Victoria’s voice sounded pleasant, yet Samantha heard the warning. She slowly sat back down.

“This is ridiculous. Victoria let her go. She doesn’t want to work this out.” Kassie threw her hands up. “For Pete’s sake, how can you believe I’d willingly let you die? I love you and LJ. The fact you believe I walked out to let not only you, but an innocent child die. Do you believe I’m a monster?” Kassie cried, tears slipping down her cheeks as she shook her head in disbelief.

“Maybe I should go,” Elizabeth said uncomfortably.

“It’s fine, luv. Everyone in Serenity knows this trio are on the outs and my men even placed bets on how long it lasts. You can stay, we might need a witness if it’s close,” Victoria mused.

Carol placed a box of tissues on the table. Maddie set a plate of cookies in front of them as she shot an admonishing look toward Kassie. Catherine reached for a cookie and dipped it in her milk.

“Are you serious? You want to play the victim? The woman who has everything,” Samantha shot.

Kassie’s eyes widened. “I’m not a victim, but I’m not a monster either. I even made LJ close his eyes. I didn’t want him to see me kill someone.”

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