Page 465 of Savage Bosses

Bryceson shook his head. "Your mom, uh, she did it herself. Kind of. Just know, it’s handled. Even I don’t have to get involved."

Tati closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to process this new information.

"Give me your phone," Tati demanded.

“It’s late,” he told her.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure my mother is waiting on my call.”

Bryce handed her the device without question. She dialed her mom's number, and her mom answered on the third ring.

“Hello, my most favorite daughter in the world!”

“I’m your only daughter, lady.”

“That’s because I got it right the first time and didn’t need another.”

"Mom, stop sweet-talking me. I can't believe you did it yourself," Tati blurted out, unable to contain her shock.

"Sweetheart, sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands," her mom replied, a hint of coldness in her voice.

"But why? Wasn't Taro handling it?" Tati asked, struggling to understand her mother's actions.

"Obviously not fast enough," her mom snapped back. "And then he went and got himself hurt. Ain’t nobody got time for that. There’s no use in complaining, love. Now that it's done, you can focus on your life with Bryce."

"You had no right to interfere like that," she hissed through gritted teeth.

"I really don’t understand why you’re so upset. Sweetie, you should be enjoying your vacation with Bryce," her mom said, the casualness in her voice making Tati's blood boil.

"Ma, I was kidnapped. You could at least pretend to be worried," Tati snapped back, her hands shaking as she gripped the phone tightly.

"Kidnapped?" Her mother feigned surprise, but Tati could hear the insincerity in her voice. "Well, that's unfortunate."

Tati closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Unfortunate?" Tati couldn't believe her ears.

She glanced over at Bryce, who was watching her intently, a slight smile on his face. Everyone in her life was insane.

"Look, these things happen when you’re in love," her mom continued nonchalantly. "Your dad had me kidnapped a few times. I even tried to kill him once. Or three times. Maybe four. But he survived. That must mean we’re fated.”

“You’re a psychopath, mom!”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, love.”

Tati sighed heavily. Bryce burst out laughing, able to hear the conversation.

“You're safe now, aren't you? With Bryce?" her mom said. “Taro said the sleeping potion Bryce used to take you was just a mild sedative. It won’t harm you. And he made sure you saw his face, so you could know it was him taking you, that way you’d feel safer.”

"Safe?" Tati spat. "Is that all you have to say? Do you even care about me?"

"Of course, I care, Tati, which is why I did what I did. You know I'm impatient. Forgive me for being a mama bear. But you are my life. I would move heaven and hell for you. The Farrina’s are nothing. Plus, Taro was wounded. Bryce was playing house with you. Lora and I felt..."

"Mrs. Cattaneo was in on it too?" Tati interrupted, her eyes widening as she glanced at Bryce, who clenched his jaw.

"Darling, this is a conversation you and I should have in person. I promise it wasn’t a hands-on job," her mother replied smoothly, but Tati wasn't about to let her off the hook that easily.

"Tell me, right now," she demanded, her heart pounding in her ears. “What exactly did you do?”

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