Page 73 of Filthy Few

“That’s funny, I think your friend ran out of time before I did.” A choked sob rips out of me without consent.

“Fuck you!” I sneer.

“You want your mother back?” I gasp at the mention of my mom and snap my mouth closed, biting down on my tongue to keep from lashing out at him. His condescending chuckle has me grinding my teeth so hard that my jaw begins to ache. “I assume you have learned from your last mistake?”

It takes every ounce of self-control I have to keep my tone even. “Yes.”

“Well, that is good to hear, piggy. Now, there are a few rules for you to follow.” I inhale to try to calm myself and remember that I need to play by his rules or my mom will suffer. “You are going to come out of hiding and return home. You will do as you are told and not step a single fucking foot out of line.” The threat in his tone is clear. “You disobey me and your mother will start losing fingers. The collar is to be worn at all times and you will stay the fuck away from Vox and those other assholes.”

I don’t say it but he has no need to worry about Vox coming near me, he knows I want him dead. “Fine.”

“You have three days to get your ass back here, yourmasked manwon’t be able to save you both.” My eyes widen, he ends the call and I am left standing here staring out at the creek, wishing the current could wash me away with it. I have three days to formulate a plan and try to find my mom or I am left with no other choice but to return to that house of horrors and endure whatever that little snake puts me through.

“Nova?” I turn to see Nikoa standing in the doorway with a stern look.

“What?” He doesn’t say anything about my tone.

“You need to come inside.” The look in his eyes gives me pause and I stiffen.

“Why?” I grit out.

“Because if we make a plan I’m sure that phone call can be forgotten and you won’t have to do something stupid like go back to living with those murdering sons of bitches.” I can’t keep the shock from splaying over my face. The bastard just grins and flicks his head for me to follow him. I begrudgingly do as instructed and follow him into the small living room where I freeze in the threshold. I have no idea who the two men are but the sight of the woman has my hackles rising and my anger spiking.

“You have no fucking right to be here,” I seethe. Nikoa shoots me a look of warning but I ignore him. Her bottom lip begins to tremble and her eyes fill with tears. I scoff at the sight of them and harden my features, she doesn’t deserve any fucking pity from me.

“I had no choice.” Her voice trembles as she tries to fight back tears but it’s pathetic if you ask me. Olivia Tempest is standing here in front of me looking like a lost little puppy.

“But you knew though, didn’t you?” I ask as I force my legs to move and walk toward her. The two men shoot Nikoa a look but neither of them backs away from her. I stop a foot away and look at her. She has the same gray-blue eyes as her son but unlike Ezekiel, his mother’s hair is a lighter shade of blonde. Judging from Nikoa’s raven hair and green eyes, I would assume I take after Edmund's side of the family. “The night of Homecoming, you knew who I was, didn’t you, Olivia?” A lone tear trek trails down her cheek but I feel nothing aside from a deep-seated loathing for this woman.

“Y-yes, I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you are my?—”

I cut her off before she can finish. “Don’t even think about saying what you were about to say. Kelly is my mother.” A pained look crosses her face but I am well past caring about her or her feelings. She bites down on her lip as more tears fall down hercheeks and she nods. “I don’t know why you are here or what you want but I can tell you now, I wantnothingfrom you.” A whimper escapes her and the man on her right wraps an arm around her shoulders and draws her into his side.

“Nova.” I snap my gaze to the man on her left and narrow my eyes, he looks oddly familiar. “My name is Shane Draven?—”

“You’re Hayze’s father?” I say. The man smiles tightly and nods.

“Yes. But, I am also a member of the Haven Saints and so is Henry.” I look at the other man, who nods his head. I study his features for a moment.

“You’re Archer’s dad?” Henry nods. “Why are you here?”

It isn’t the men who answer my question, it’s Nikoa. “They are here to help us get your mother back.” I spring around and face him, his eyes are hard as he stares at me.

“What’s the catch?” I push knowing there has to be something in this for them.

“Once we have Kelly back, we’ll take the Saints down,” Nikoa vows.

I scoff earning a hard look from my dear old uncle. “Your plan is futile,” I answer.

“How so?” Shane asks.

“I’m not stupid, it may be true that I am a Tempest by blood, but I don’t have the highest claim to the lordess spot, that honor belongs toVivian.”

Chapter Forty

Vox

“If you had stayed away from me, then Waylen would be here. I hate you and everything you stand for. I’ll kill Thomas and Nexus, then I’m coming for the Filthy Few. Your deaths will all be by my hands and I will be Forever Filthy.”

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