Page 414 of Savage Bosses

"What did Julia have to say?"

"Mom, were you waiting for my call?"

"I was getting ready to call you because you were taking too long. Do I need to put a hit on someone?"

"Ma! I told you not to say stuff like that over the phone."

"Forget all of that. Does she need to die?"

"She's already dying. She has cancer."

"Oh. And?"

Her mother could be so heartless. Tati hated to admit it, but she was feeling really heartless right now, too. Tati went on to tell her mother everything Julia had told her.

"Them fucking bitches!" Her mother yelled. "I can't believe they did that to my baby. I will not let this slide."

"Ma, don't do anything until I come home."

"You're coming home?" her mother exclaimed excitedly.

"I have to. Melinda will not get away with this."

"No, she won't. I didn't want to tell you, but I heard her father is in talks with Patrick to marry Melinda to Bryceson."

Tati took a deep breath and released it slowly. "That will never happen. And not because I want Bryce back. But because he needs to know what she did."

"Sweetie, it's not that simple. He won't believe you. Not you. He's... too far gone for that. Your word won't hold any weight with him. He may not even believe your friend's words simply because she’syourfriend. What we need is cold, hard evidence. Not some he say-she say stuff."

Her mother was right.

"Just come home. Go home and pack. Quit your job. I'll handle the flight arrangements and pick you up at the airport. I need to get you an apartment set up. I don't want your father to know you're here. He's so far up Patrick Cattaneo's ass, you would think I was married to a fucking rectum."

Tatianna burst out laughing. "Ma, you can't say that about my dad."

"You're lucky that's all I'm saying. I've got to go and get some sleep so I can get up and start getting things ready. And sweetie, we'll have to talk to Mrs. Cattaneo."

"What? Why? I'm sure she hates me for leaving without saying anything."

"She doesn't hate you. She's upset. Maybe disappointed. But she and I still talk. She doesn't tell Bryce and her husband."

"Does she know why I left?"

"No. I didn't tell her that. I just told her that you had your reasons. But sweetie, she's someone who can help us find evidence. We need her in our corner. So, we'll have to tell her why you left when you get home. And... she'll probably have some things she'll want to tell you too. About Bryce."

Tati wasn't sure she was ready for that conversation. But, she had no choice.

"Okay, mom."

"Handle things on your end, and I'll handle things on this end. And don't stress, sweetie. That will give you wrinkles. I promise you, we're going to get all of this straightened out. Okay?"

"Okay, mom. Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too, love."

Tati ended the call.

"Melinda will pay for this," Tatianna vowed as anger surged through her, banishing any lingering guilt and replacing it with a burning determination. The time for wallowing in self-pity was over. Now, it was her turn to take control of her life and show Melinda that she'd fucked with the wrong one.

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