Page 106 of Ashes of Saints

Diane plays with her glass for a moment, spinning it on the linen coaster. The rain continues to pour behind her as she draws in a deep breath.

“Your mother...” She takes another sip. “She had secrets.”

No shit, Sherlock.

“Yes.”

Her eyes snap to mine. “So, you know?”

I’m not letting her off lightly. If this woman knows something or has been involved, then she can tell me everything. I’m going to force her to say the words and admit what she and my mother have done.

I slip my hand into my pocket, pull out my phone under the table, and start recording our conversation. I need to protect myself and I don’t trust any of these assholes.

“Please, Diane, you came here to tell me something, so I’d appreciate it if you did.” I know I look tired, and she probably thinks it's grief although weeks have now passed since Mom died.

She can think what she wants.

Diane glances around the room as if seeing it for the first time. She knew where we lived, so I have to believe she has visited before.

“Mary-Anne had a lot of regrets, but I think she was a sick woman.”

“You were friends.”

“Yes. People are complicated. I enjoyed her company, and she trusted me. That’s why she shared her darkest secret with me, I suppose. That, and she wanted someone to tell you the truth when she died.”

I blink a few times, my emotions going haywire.

“She died weeks ago,” I reply angrily.

“I wanted you to have time to grieve,” Diane replies, as if that is a good enough explanation.

“I’m getting sick of people making decisions for me and not telling me the truth about my life.” My words speed up, sounding angrier.

Diane holds up a hand.

I count to ten. This woman doesn’t deserve the anger which is directed at my mother...or Parker, but I’m about out of patience..

“Tell me or leave.” I demand.

“Mary-Anne was not your mother.”

What?

Diane keeps talking, but I don’t hear any more. The floor completely disappears from under me and I slip into a state of shock.

Who the fucking hell am I?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

PARKER

“Sir?” Durran asks from the driver’s seat.

I nod but don’t answer. I’ve been sitting outside Aurora’s building for almost thirty minutes.

What Maddox helped me unearth, using her DNA and information about her mother, has shocked me.

It is going to completely destroy Aurora.

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