Page 30 of Broken By It

He loves her. He’s always loved her. She’s his mother, no one has ever tried to take that from her. He doesn’t want Dillon tofind out and go off the rails that Anna broke the court order they agreed to in mediation.

“Phones, turn them off, and hand them to Hollis.”

As he moves, she moves with him, always keeping the gun on him. We do as instructed and she guides them both to the bathroom sink. “Drop them in the sink, baby and turn on the water.” Anna commands as Hollis looks over his shoulder to me. I nod to encourage him to comply. He can’t try to be the hero right now. She’s unhinged.

“Maritza, you have the most to lose if you don’t follow directions.” A sly smile plays on Anna’s lips, ‘you’re gonna cuff Emmalee’s hands behind her back and Dia’s.”

It’s a blur as she taunts me keeping Hollis in the line of fire as she has me take handcuffs from her purse to handcuff Emmalee and Dia. I do as I’m told not daring challenge her right now. Emmalee mutters words of comfort as I struggle to keep my trembling under control.

“Dillon, cuff you yet?” Huh, Zizi?” There is this sharpness in her tone that makes my stomach roll. She is angry.

“We aren’t in a relationship, Anna. I’m more like the nanny. Everything is about Hollis between us. Our dynamic is about your son. Plain and simple.”

Anna lets out a strange laugh. “You’re missing out then. He’s a lousy husband, but amazing in bed.”

I turn cold, “not in front of him.”

I would not be okay if Dillon bad-mouthed her in front of their son, I won’t let her do it to him. And these kinds of things are not appropriate around a ten-year-old regardless.

“Oh yes, you know what’s best for my son. That’s right, I forget. Excuse me.”

“I am not a replacement for you. He loves you, Anna. He text me for you.”

“If he loves me, why are you here?” Anna gives back at me.

God, I want to slap her. “Because he didn’t want you to get in trouble with Dillon. He text me our code because I have a deal not to tell his dad unless he wants me to.” I can’t believe I’m going to tell her, but I might as well. “Dillon doesn’t know we are here.” Although, in this moment, I wish he was on the way or my dad, anyone from the Hellions. “We aren’t in competition, Anna. I can never compare to you with your son.”

She isn’t hearing me. I’m not getting through to her. “You want my life. Don’t think I’m stupid,” Anna challenges.

She loves her son. I need to have her connect to him. “Hollis woke up and saw a sign for Georgia. He got scared that his dad wouldn’t let him visit you anymore. He sent the code. I followed our rules, me and Hollis. I’m here for him to be safe.” I stay eyes to Hollis. “In fact, once I can calm him down and let him know I’ll get it all cleared up with his dad, I can go back. We don’t have to even mention what’s going on right now. Just let me explain things to Dillon and let Hollis know for himself you aren’t in any trouble. We can get on our way.”

Anna huffs,” why then is she here?” She glares at Dia.

Dia smirks proudly, “sisters before misters. We were having girls’ night in, spa style at my place. She got the text. I was bored. Figured it was time for a trip.”

Oh my God, I love Dia Crews but right this second, I don’t know if I want to laugh or throttle her the way she’s chatting up with Anna like there isn’t still a gun on Hollis.

Dia doesn’t miss a beat, “Thought we could take Hollis here to Disney World once we met up with you. Get the word back to Karma and keep us all out of the hotseat with the Hellions. See Anna, we had half a plan to get you outta trouble. If you hadn’t drowned our phones, I could even show you the tickets we bought for Magic Kingdom.”

The lies roll right off her tongue. It’s clever, but I hope Anna doesn’t call the bluff. We absolutely did not plan a trip anywhere but back home with the boy.

“We got one for you,” she continues, “Even got the photo package. I love when you can just stop and let the people take the pics for you and boom, they pop up in your email.”

With every passing moment, I feel like the world is swallowing us whole. Dia, though, she’s having a normal conversation like there isn’t a gun involved and we aren’t held up by a woman who is clearly not herself right now.

“I don’t believe shit either of you say,” Anna retorts as Hollis looks to his mom.

“They’re telling the truth. I text Zizi. Check my phone, it’s not broken. Dad doesn’t know, I swear. I didn’t want,” he stutters as the tears fall, “I didn’t know I was going to get anyone in trouble. I’m sorry, Zizi,” he looks to me and my world shatters. He’s giving up. He thinks it’s over. “I was trying to help, momma. I just messed it all up.”

He can’t blame himself. I won’t let him. “It’s okay, buddy. No one is in any trouble. Your mom and I’ll work things out. Make sure your dad is okay with this little vacation. Don’t worry, honey. Your momma, she loves you and wanted more time with you, that’s all this is.” I lie. I have no idea what this is, but there has to be more to it than Anna wanting time with her son. “I know it scared you that your dad would be worried and upset, but I’ll handle that okay. Don’t be upset, please, bud.”

“Take the other pair, put the one on your wrist and come over here,” Anna demands ignoring Hollis’ breakdown. “Hollis you’ll hook the other one on your precious Zizi”

I have this one moment. I don’t know what comes over me. But he’s going to be right here in my grasp. I can’t let him go. I can’t let him stay near her. I hook the one cuff on my right wrist. Hollis steps closer to hook the left and I take my chance.

Shoving Hollis away from his mother and closer to the door, I put my body between Anna and him. Anna reacts raising her gun and bringing it down to my face. The pain surges through me as blood fills my mouth. I stay upright.

Dia and Emmalee stand trying to guide Hollis away. “Run!” I yell, “Dia get him out of here!”

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