Page 53 of Volatile Vice

Ido as Vinnie asks.

I get up, get dressed, and find my phone. As he suspected, there are several calls from my mother. Several texts as well. She wants to know where I am, if I’m safe.

I consider texting her back, but knowing my mother that won’t be enough. She’ll get it in her head that someone has my phone and is texting in my stead.

So I call her.

“Oh my God, Raven, thank goodness. Where are you?”

“I had to go somewhere, Mom. But don’t worry. I’m going to be home in a couple of hours.”

“Raven, please. What are you up to? After everything that’s gone on…”

Maybe I should be straight with her. Maybe I should tell her that I’m in love with Savannah’s brother. Maybe. I already told Falcon and Leif. I told Savannah.

But I can’t.

“Just trust me, Mom. Please.”

“Raven, you know very well it’s not a question of trust. Of course I trust you. You’re a mature adult.” Her voice cracks. “But after almost losing you… I suppose I’m destined to worry about you until my dying day. After everything Falcon went through, and then you… And now this. Someone getting into our home. Our sacred space. Murdering that poor attorney.”

“I know. Have the police contacted you again?”

“No, not yet. If they need any of us to make a formal statement at the station, I’m sure they will let us know.”

“I suppose it’s a good sign that we haven’t been called yet,” I say.

“Yes, definitely a good thing. Your father’s beside himself. Even this new security system that your brother and Leif got installed hasn’t helped.”

“I understand. His space has been violated. Yours was too. And mine. It’s disorienting. But that’s nothing compared to what happened to Mr. Latham.”

“I know, honey. I know.”

“I’ll be home soon, Mom. So don’t worry, okay?”

“I’ll try not to. And I won’t ask you where you went.”

“Thank you for that. I appreciate it. I appreciate your trust.”

“Just stay safe, honey.”

“I will, Mom. Goodbye. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

I end the call.

Vinnie has dressed, and he’s waiting for me at the front door of the guesthouse.

“You ready?” he asks.

I’m not sure how to answer that question. Am I ready to go home? Yes. I need to go home. For my mother’s sake. For my father’s. They need to know I’m safe.

But am I ready to leave?

That’s another question altogether.

Because when I leave, I don’t know when—or if—I’ll see Vinnie again.

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