Page 10 of Heartless Game

“I don’t want you to panic, honey,” she began, of course making me immediately panic. “There was a black Escalade outside of work yesterday. Now, I work at a big hotel, so of course there’s going to be an Escalade every once in a while.” She laughed, but it sounded forced. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but I just want you to be careful.”

Her voice broke at the last. My mother was as tired of running as I was. It had been a fight to convince her it was okay for me to go to Reina U—and she didn’t know that there was a Silver on campus.

TheSilver. The most dangerous one, the primal wolf in a sheep’s designer clothing.

Isaac.

“Tovahleh,” she started, using the diminutive of my name. “I think it’s time for you to leave Reina and come back to California. It’s warm, and you can take online journalism classes…” she trailed off, knowing what I’d say.

“No, Mom,” I interrupted.

“Honey, I know becoming a journalist is your dream, but my dream is that you’re safe. I’m worried for you. For both of us.”

I sighed, but kept my voice steady. “No, Mom. I’m not leaving. I’m an adult now, and I need to see this through.”

“See what through?” Her suspicion and worry came through the phone.

Shit.That gave too much away. “College,” I said.

She sighed. “You’ve always been so stubborn. Please, think about it.”

“I will,” I lied. “Be careful, okay? Make sure no one’s tailing you on your way home.”

She laughed shakily. “I know, honey. I taught you, remember?”

Oh, I remembered. The long, dark, terrifying drives on highways, trading in one shit car for another, leaning on old friends for new identities, always on the run. It wasn’t until we got to California when I was in high school that it seemed like the Silvers had forgotten about us, but I always watched over my shoulder.

I liked LA, and I knew my mom loved it. She’d even felt safe enough to send me to summer camp as a scholarship student, which was where I’d met Aviva. She made some friends. Settled in.

But we were living on borrowed time.

And now it was my turn to do everything in my power to make sure my mom never had to run again. That we were safe, and I could live out my dreams as a journalist who traveled the world, and she could discover hers, whatever they might be.

“I love you,” I told her, and after she said the same back to me, I hung up, sliding my phone into my jeans pocket and rubbing the back of my neck.

“Assuming that was Hana,” Sebastian said.

“Yes,” I said. “Can you send me the video?”

He seemed concerned. “You know it’s a major risk.”

I nodded. Itwasa risk, but I had no other option than to trust my plan and my ability to think on my feet.

He sighed, relieved. “Good. I’ll watch out for you the best I can, and so will the rest of Fire and Hail.” That shark-like smile reappeared. “We’re going to finally take those assholes down, aren’t we?”

“We are.” Although, in reality,Iwas. But I didn’t tell him that.

From my memories, and from all the investigating I’d done, I knew Isaac loathed his father. He was only involved in the Vice and Vixen distribution game because he had to be. His team came first, always. So, if he had to choose between Abe and the Kings, he’d choose the Kings. I’d bet my life on it.

This was my only option. I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and committed myself to my plan. Based on my mom’s call, our time was running out.

I needed this to work.

Our lives depended on it.

5

Isaac

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