Page 172 of Kiss the Villain

“But that’s not all!” Her breathing is harsh, uneven. “Grant said you still haven’t let the Cassandra thing go. He said you’re being impulsive, reckless, and that if we don’t send you back, he has his methods to force you.”

My pen pauses mid-tap. “Grant visited?”

“He called earlier today,” Mom Jina interjects. “She’s been like this ever since.”

“Why would you even talk to him, Mom?” My voice rises slightly. “If you knew it was him, you should’ve hung up.”

“How else would I know what you’ve been up to?” Mom’s voice cracks. “You promised you’d let it go, Kay. You said it was over, that you wouldn’t dig deeper or go on more murder sprees. You promised.”

The familiar weight of my demons coils around me, their snakelike forms writhing in the shadows, yellow eyes flashing as their tongues graze my skin.

“I couldn’t,” I admit quietly. “I tried, but I just couldn’t.”

But now, I think it’s because the thought of being aimless once it was all over terrifies me. Because really, when was the last time I thought of Cassandra?

“Kay,” Mom Jina’s voice softens, almost catching. “Why didn’t you talk to us?”

“Because you’d worry. You’d try to stop me. But I can’t stop. It’s impossible.”

“She’s dead, Kayden!” Mom’s scream cuts through the air. “She’s been dead for over two years, and we almost lost you to bloodlust. I don’t want to lose you, Kay. I already did when your father took you from my arms and made me live without you. Please stop this. I’mbeggingyou.”

Her sobs echo through the phone. At least she has Mom Jina to comfort her. She always has.

In truth, I don’t know how to handle Mom’s emotions. As much as we both hate Dad, I’m more like him, and when faced with raw emotion, I draw a blank.

It’s like I’m made of steel, and feelings simply slam against me before falling to the ground.

“Who are you after in the UK?” Mom Jina asks, her tone steady. “Is there even anyone left on your list?”

“Just one,” I whisper. “One final name before I get closure.”

“And then you’ll be done, right?” Mom’s voice shakes again. “I’d rather you go back to Grant than continue this madness.”

“It’ll be over soon, Mom. I promise.”

“She left the room,” Mom Jina says softly. “Probably to cry alone. I need to go check on her.”

“Mom…I’m sorry for lying.”

“I know why you did it, but I don’t agree.” Her sigh is long, weary. “You were born into bad luck, my boy, and it hurts to see you like this. Being a Davenport, and the child of the second wife, no less, brought its own brand of demons. Especially since your mom had her own demons to fight and couldn’t help you.”

“You did, Mom. I’m grateful. Truly.”

“And I’m grateful to have you, Kay. I don’t care what biology says, you aremy son, and I worry about you. You were ripped away from us so young, and I always wondered what you would’ve become if your father hadn’t forced you to go with him.”

“I chose to go with him, remember?”

“To protect us.”

“Who told you that…?”

“I’m not an idiot, Kay. I know he must’ve threatened to kill us if you didn’t go. You were only nine, but you still took all that burden on yourself.” Her breath hitches. “I’m sorry we didn’t try harder to get you back.”

“You did everything you could. I don’t blame you. Neither of you.”

“But you won’t stop? Not even now that Gareth is in your life?”

I tap my pen harder, but I stay silent.

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