Page 468 of Lodestar

She blinked at me. “What has she done?”

“Betrayed us.”

Her lips pursed but my phone buzzed, and I smiled as I got a text message from the woman of the hour.

Star: Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John.

Star: Fitting considering what I’m doing, but it just came to me and made me think of you.

Me: That’s true love. And it’s truer love that my rock-loving ass is going to tune into Elton John.

Star: :P

Me: I’ll listen later. Still with Ma. She dead?

Star: Soon.

Star: <3

Me: <3

“Love looks good on you, son.”

Ma’s soft statement had me glancing at her.

Unsure of how to answer that, I just frowned. “Thanks?”

“It wasn’t an insult. It was a compliment! You’re happy?”

My lips curved. “Very.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” She heaved a sigh. “All my boys are attached. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Who do you think would hold out the longest?”

“You.”

The immediacy of her answer had me grumbling, “Thanks again, Ma!”

Her chuckle was unapologetic. “You were always such an odd duck, son. Knew it would take someone special to put up with you. That’s why you have so few friends.”

“Charming. And Ihada friend.” Until he betrayed me. My family. My faction.

Friends sucked.

She patted my shoulder. “I loved you so I knew someone else would.”

“You’re trying to make it better but you’re making it worse,” I grouched, shoving my phone into my pocket. “Do you like this place?”

“I like that it’s in your building.” She glanced around. “It’s nicer than Eoghan’s and Brennan’s.”

“They’re pretty similar.”

“They’re not,” was her droll retort. “How many square feet is this?”

“Four thousand.”

“That’s ample.” She nodded as she stared around the bare-bones apartment which had been emptied yesterday after I’d decided she’d be better off here anyway. The tenants hadn’t been happy, but I didn’t give much of a damn. “I’ll take this one.”

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