Page 47 of Treasured
Damn, he knew how to get deep inside my soul and read the real me. I swallowed, but still, neither of us moved. Then he waved his hand in the air and said, “Well, good night.”
My gut twisted, and my feet were still stuck to the spot where I’d been for another second. He’d seen right through me, and I wasn’t sure what happened next.
If I chased him and told him I was sorry and that I loved him, what if he didn’t believe me?
I fell back on the bed and took out my paper. Then I inched myself back to the window and found my spot to finish.
P.S. I wanted to tell you when you came in my room, but if I did, I’m afraid I’d never learn to be independent. That’s probably stupid to you but it’s been my goal since checking into a shelter. I can’t be that girl I was, ever again. I’m sorry.
Done. I refolded it and closed my eyes. I’d throw the paper in the trash in the morning, but for now, I would sleep with the dream I was somehow different and that I was truly his, forever.
Chapter Seventeen
Dwayne
No amount of working out could clear my mind. Earlier, when Bruce had called me “Dada,” my heart melted. Soon, Mary and her son would disappear, but for now, I needed to keep them safe.
I showered in the bathroom then headed to my office.
The moon was high in the sky, but I couldn’t sleep. I slumped in my office chair and turned on the monitors, but then my phone rang. She never called this late. I answered on the first ring, and she immediately said, “Dwayne.”
My body stilled and my mind raced as I asked, “What’s going on, Mom?”
She then said, “One of your brother’s old friends, Jackson, explained about Wanda and what she’d done. I’ve spoken to the board. I had no idea Wanda had turned out so bad or why you chose to shield me.”
Huh? She was in California, the same as Jackson Cole, but no one had mentioned she’d have a guard. I sucked in my cheeks as adrenaline rushed through me. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, Jackson and Catherine are coming back. We’ll talk later.”
My hair stood on end, and I stood up and called out, “Mom.”
But she hung up on me. My temples throbbed, but I flipped through my contacts and dialed up Mark’s business partner. It rang. “Jackson, answer your phone.”
However, I just got voice mail.
I closed my eyes, said a small prayer for her safety, and then grabbed my phone as I said, “I can’t ignore this.” I pressed the button to call my regular contact, and the moment I heard a click, I didn’t wait for hello. “Mark, my mom is with Jackson. What the fuck is happening?”
“Thunder Thighs, she’s safe with him, and we’re in Pittsburgh. Just sit tight and trust the experts.”
Once again, they sought to protect me from my own problem. I closed my eyes and put my fists on the table. “You should consult with me first. But why did Jackson and Catherine pick up my mom?”
“I’m at the police station,” Mark said then lowered his voice and continued, “There’s a threat there, too, but she’s at their house, safe and sound. Give me an hour, and we’ll call and explain more.”
“Fine,” I said and pressed the red button. Our mom was sweet, baked cookies every Saturday morning, and sang in the church choir on Sundays. Taking her out of her routine was a big deal.
A knock sounded on my door, and I opened my eyes and stared at sweet glowing-like-an-angel Mary. She slipped into the room and approached me. “Is everything okay?”
She didn’t want me. Maybe my brother had ended up with the wrong woman because he’d never gotten a good one to keep him either.
I stood up, and luckily the desk was between us. I had goose bumps, but then I glanced at my computer and gave myself a mission. “No. Look, do you have Arthur’s phone number?”
She massaged the back of her head. “Maybe. Why?”
I took out mine and found Wanda’s contact info. “I can’t sit and do nothing. I want to try to track his number on my computer.”
Her eyes went wide. “Did something happen?”
I let out a long-held breath, nodded, and sat in my chair. “My mother was picked up and put under security.”
