Page 72 of My Darling Mayhem

I gave him a solemn nod, wishing we could talk a bit more about the conversation we’d started but understanding that he needed to leave. I watched as he exited through the front door, and I decided I would sleep on the opposite couch so the boys weren’t alone while we waited for Archer to return.

Hoping that once he did, he’d still want me.

The next morning, I woke up to a note under my face.

Plucking it up, I read it and felt my stomach tilt.

Wren,

I didn't want to wake you or Cruz, but I had to return Kane to his foster parents. I know we need to talk, and we will, but for now, you and Cruz are safe. We were able to track down Saul, my men are watching him. I'm going to see if I can push Kane's court date up. If you leave, a few of my men might trail you; otherwise, they're staying out of the way. – I love you, Archer.

… I'm on my cell if you need me.

That was great news, and while I knew I should be grateful, I couldn't help but feel completely thrown off balance. I wanted to sit down with him and ask how last night went. He was gone, but I had no idea for how long, or if he encountered any trouble. I hadn't heard if Thistle had told him about my father or the fact that we were essentially enemies.

This almost felt silly. I'd been removed from that world for so long that it was about as believable as hearing I was once related to a monarch centuries ago. It had no bearing on my current life situation whatsoever, but still…I couldn't understand that someone had brought it up, pinned me to it, and then acted as though my life was about to be upturned because of it.

Now that I knew Saul was under surveillance, my biggest concern was how to tell Archer.

Deep down, I felt like he'd understand…but the smallest piece of doubt lingered on the fringes of my mind. Stretching, I watched the white blanket drop from around my chest. Archer must have brought it out from my bedroom for me. Cruz was still asleep on the other end of the couch, curled up with his own blanket. I smiled, feeling my heart thump happily in my chest, remembering what Archer and I had said to each other on top of that canyon. With only the sunset as our witness, we moved to a new level. I had a piece of leather that felt nearly as important as a ring on my finger.

He'd told me he loved me.

How could he really feel that way for me, though, if he didn't know my family was his enemy? Saul's words came back, whipping against my conscience.If Archer knew about your connection to his biggest enemy, do you really think he'd place that piece of leather on your back?

What if I lost him?

I'd pushed him away so effectively in the beginning, yet he kept coming back, trying, and never giving up. What if he realized all that was a waste…

I was spiraling, and the fact that Archer and his men seemed to have left made me feel even more off-balance. I wanted time to slow down and just give me a second to acclimate.

Coffee.

I needed to caffeinate first, then I could figure out how to break the news to Archer.

Right as I slid my mug under the Keurig, my doorbell rang.

Cruz lifted his little head from the couch, being woken by the sound, then covered his ears when it was pressed again.

My feet moved, and I wasn't even thinking about who might be watching us or if Archer deemed it safe to go about my life now, when I swung the door open.

My mouth dropped.

"Mom?"

Amber eyes that I'd inherited narrowed on me as she pushed me aside.

“¿Entonces soy un extraño ahora?"

EIGHTEEN

WREN

I moved aside,my mouth still open. "No, you're not a stranger… I'm sorry. I didn't?—"

Then I stopped because how was she making me feel guilty when she hadn't even called ahead to see if she could visit? Granted, I would never make my mother ask, nor would I get angry if she just showed up—which she had just now.

Securing the door and ignoring how my son had already ran from the couch and thrown himself at his grandmother, I tried to piece together how she was here…and why.

---