Chapter Forty-three
Lisa didn’t know how long she could hold out from her mother’s forcefulness. She’d never been able to do so as a child. Tonight, her mother acted much scarier than she’d ever seen her before.
There was no love lurking in the background of her fury. No softness in her expression. The woman before her meant to get her way and would brook no arguments.
Problem was… Lisa had both characteristics from two hard-assed people in her genes and prayed she’d withstand the pressure. She meant to go. Of course, she worried about Kane, but she knew where he went so did Lance. And she had no doubt at all, he’d be involved in the whole mess.
The thought of losing him… of having anything happen to him couldn’t be born. Mellie had told her about the danger they faced the night before and just the thought brought tears springing to her eyes and a feeling of dread creeping into her heart.
He’d become important to her over the last while, and she couldn’t… wouldn’t ignore the love blossoming every time she thought of the handsome dude who had turned her to pure mush with one kiss.
After her mother had left them alone at the restaurant earlier, they’d walked, holding hands, leaning into each other, and talked deeply about their fears for Mellie.
Laughing together, hungry to hear whatever they wanted to share, they skipped to a lot of different subjects. Their individual dreams eventually became their topic, and both found that the other wanted the same things in their futures… a family, a happy home, and to be with someone they couldn’t live without.
The appealing bond that had formed earlier in their relationship grew until stars lit up both their eyes. Turning to each other, in the middle of the park, sitting close as possible on a bench in the sun, they kissed.
As if they couldn’t get enough of each other, they’d done it so many times, each knowing they had to leave… resume their day… return to reality.
With one last hug… where they’d clung in desperation, and one final touch of their mouths fusing in tender acknowledgment of their deepening affection, they finally parted ways.
Only he’d never left her really. All day, Lisa had carried him close in her heart and the knowledge that the night ahead would be filled with danger had eaten away at her until she could hardly breathe.
Yet, she knew she couldn’t possibly show up at the clubhouse alone. Good Lord, she had no idea of what to do other than make mischief and bring further danger to everyone involved. But her mother, on the other hand, would know exactly what to do.
How could she blackmail the stubborn woman into letting her be involved? Or could she? When her mother took a stance, she never backed down. But Lisa knew exactly what she’d say to blackmail her. Lance had told her about the look on her mother’s face when she thought Kane would be shot. It had been pure terror. Which meant she still cared. That connection could be her ticket.
All she had to do was withstand the power of the FBI agent. Because, Lord knew, her mom would be well hidden within the professional.
Now was the moment. Saying the blunt “no” had sparked the battle. She’d spoken to Jennie in a way she never thought she’d ever be able to do. She’d refused to do as she was told. And her mother had walked away, leaving her there to fume and worry… and wish she’d backed down.
Suddenly, she looked up and her mom stood in front of her, changed into a dark outfit and backpack slung over her shoulder. “Here’s the deal. You will show me where this clubhouse is, and I’ll drive you to a place of safety where you will stay until I pick you up again. If you don’t agree, I’ll walk out and do my own thing, I swear. So, Lisa, don’t mess with me.”
Before her mother changed her mind, Lisa jumped to agree. “It’s a deal.”
“Okay, where are we going?”
“I’ll tell you on the way.”
“Sweet Jesus, you’re just like your dad. Fine, change into something black and warm. We’re leaving right now.”