Page 38 of Darkness Falls

"Maybe you being gone made him realize how much he liked having you around. You know men don't always appreciate what they have until it's gone. It sounds like you have something to bond over now."

"Anyway," she says while rolling her eyes. "Did I mention my mom is alive and upstairs in the guest room?"

"The mother who was shot in the chest right infront of you is alive?"

"That's the one."

"What the hell? Go get her right now so I can meet her." I narrow my eyes. I can't believe she didn't start off by saying her freaking mother was alive.

"Fine. Jeez, you're so demanding. I'll be right back."

When she steps out of the room, I give myself a minute to process everything she's been through. It's way more than any person should have to deal with in a lifetime, that's for damn sure. I hope the Monroe brothers have plans to kill Damien, and it better be a long, brutal death.

My best friend comes back into the room, holding the hand of an older woman. She is a good bit taller than Callie, with bright blue eyes and blonde hair that rests just below her shoulders. I would have never guessed the two of them are even related, let alone mother and daughter.

She has sunken eyes, and her body looks frail and weak. Her nose leans to the right a little, almost like it's been broken a time or two and wasn't reset properly. She reaches out her hand for me to shake, so I take it.

"You must be Avery. I'm Natasha, Callie's mother," she says with a soft tone. It's almost as though she's not used to speaking to other people.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm glad you're not dead."

"Avery. What the hell?" Callie shakes her head and lifts her hand in a what the fuck motion.

"What?" I say, trying to hold back a laugh.

"It's fine, LeeLee.”

"I'm so sorry you had to be there alone for so long. Callie told me all about her childhood with you. You are one of the few things she smiles about." I reach out to touch Natasha's shoulder as a gesture of kindness, and she jerks back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to recoil from you. It's a bad habit." Her eyes fall to the floor, ashamed that she let us see the more vulnerable side of her.

"You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm just happy to meet you." I can't even imagine the things this woman must have endured at Gabriel’s hands. It's a wonder she's even standing here with us.

We walk to the couch to sit down, and the three of us spend the next several hours talking about everything. I catch Callie looking at her mother over and over like she has to try and convince herself she's actually here. It hurts my heart and makes me want to go see my mom.

The hours fly by, and I'm grateful to have this time with her. I'm not letting her go this long without talking to me again. Now that I know where these psycho kidnappers live, she can expect me to just show up if I don't hear from her.

"Alright, this girl needs to head home. I have to work soon."

"Ughhhh, just call off," Callie says, and as tempting as that may be, I need the cash.

"No can do. You'll just have to keep your ass out of trouble for more than five minutes so I can come over for a girls night. Thatbar over there is fully stocked, and you have three hot men to wait on us."

"Men waiting on women," Natasha says, almost astounded, as she lets out a little giggle.

I'm sure that, with what she's used to, the idea may seem foreign. Fuck that stupid society. The guys walk back into the room at the perfect time. It's like they knew what we were talking about.

"Alright, you." I point a finger in Sebastian’s direction. "Take me home." He nods as I give Callie one last hug before walking out to the car and slipping into the front seat.

"She needs you more than she needs any of us; you know that, right?"

"Of course, I know that. I don't plan on going anywhere. She was my best friend before she got involved with any of you, and that isn't changing anytime soon. You might as well get used to me. Thank you for getting her out of there."

All he does is nod, not saying another word before he starts the car. I can see why she didn't like him for so long. He's a grumpy ass, but I understand where he's coming from. He cares about Callie. I can see that plain as day. He wants to make sure she is taken care of, and I can respect that.

Chapter 18

Callie

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