Page 160 of Treason's Temptation
Inez stood across the room, clenching Treason’s dress shirt she’d pick up. “I’m not staying, I just didn’t want you coming home to a mess.”
“It’s fine. I appreciate it,” I stammered, my eyes as scattered as my thoughts.
The penthouse was peaceful and calming, which is why I preferred it over any other place. Today, the panoramic view made me nauseous. I hated my favorite chandelier on the way to the kitchen, and the central island felt too small.
“Of course. Are you hungry?”
“I should eat, but I really just want a bath.”
“I could make you something while you take a bath,” she offered, wearing the kind of smile that made the world feel safe again.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
“What do you want to eat?”
I shrugged, unsure what mothers cooked their children when life got rough. Whenever we had a bad day, Sloane would take us to the Fifth Street tower to throw glass bottles at the wall until the landlord chased us away.
Treason read my confusion and jumped in, “You haven’t even asked me what I want to eat. That’s messed up.”
“Hmm, you’ll be lucky to eat all,” she complained, pulling a pen and paper from her purse. “You’re going to the store too.”
“I’m gonna’ take a bath,” I announced.
“Let me grab the laundry. He left clothes everywhere,” she gritted, smacking him on the shoulder with her notepad.
He tugged the strings of my hoodie, propelling my chest to his, “I missed you.” His last words smothered my cheek, “I missed you so much, Blue. Promise you’ll never leave me again.”
“I feel dirty. I need a bath.”
Treason fought the uncomfortable sigh on his lips and nodded. Disappearing into the bedroom, I see why Inez was here to clean up. The bedroom was a wreck like I’d never seen before.
“I’m almost done. Did you decide what you want to eat?”
“What did you make Tre after a bad day?”
She smiled, resting the laundry basket on the dresser.
“Don’t tell him I told you this,” she rushed her hand to her mouth to conceal her amusement, “Tomato soup and grilled cheese. A girl broke his heart in seventh grade, and it became a tradition. I thought he would turn into a tomato as a child.”
I could see the love in Inez’s eyes, the memories pure and clear, despite Treason being a grown man. I wondered why the same light was looking back at me.
“I just got out of jail for murder, and you’re still being nice to me.”
“The police don’t always get it right.”
“How do you know they didn’t?”
Inez smirked, “A mother knows her child. You’ll see.”
I wasn’t sure I would, but a part of me wanted to. There wasn’t a version of my future that included children. Now my boundaries had softened, and pushing a stroller didn’t seem like the hell, it once did. A wild turn of events, considering I knew myself better than anyone. The uncertainty in Treason’s eyes didn’t let me get too ahead of myself.
Inez represented everything a mother was meant to be. A kind, understanding, guiding light on your worst days. Forgiving. Reliable. I didn’t know if I could be that for another life. I felt the need to explain, fearing she’d think I corrupted her child, but then again, she said a mother knew. I didn’t plantanything in Treason that wasn’t already there, but I confessed anyway.
“When I was engaged to Lorenzo, he was abusive. I stuffed it down, pretending it didn’t change me. Forced myself to forget, but it doesn’t work like that. Things have a way of finding their way to the surface, no matter how deep you bury them. Lorenzo threatened me not to tell anybody the truth about him, like I’d want people to know he fractured my shoulder from pushing me to the ground so hard. Tre was pissed all on his own. I didn’t ask him to do anything about it.”
“As a parent, you won’t always like your children’s decisions, but you love them through it anyway.” She stroked my arm with effortless admiration, “I know you’re strong. I don’t think anyone can question that, but it’s okay to set it down for a while and just be.”
Inez’s hug was warmer than the words she’d just spoken before leaving the room. I let the water run while I stripped out of my clothes. Treason appeared in the doorway, his glance sliding rapidly to my stomach as I lowered into the tub.
