Page 69 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)

“He’s a fighter, Sky,” she says in a low voice. “And he cares about you. If anyone is well suited to watch your back, it’s him. And his mother let me know he needs the money—”

My gaze goes to Liam. I had no idea he still had financial struggles. But why would I know? It isn’t like we’ve talked more than a handful of times. All of those times seem to have taken place in the last week and a half.

“I think we’ve had enough of this conversation,” he says to my mother. He pivots toward me. “Sky?”

I glance at Mom, trying to piece it together. Dr. Penn had strived to get me to think outside my diagnosis, but the fact of the matter is: it’s there. It exists and it affects me, even if I try to forget about it. It could explain my odd behavior. The way I went numb after I found Natalie—a detail Mom still doesn’t seem to know about. She didn’t mention the woods, my fall. Her hug didn’t hold back. She didn’t even blink at the bandage on my head, except a small crinkle of concern. She has bigger things to worry about, after all. Namely, my CPTSD. That I might hurt myself?

The news hasn’t released any details about Natalie, not the slit throat or her bound wrists. No mention of a sedative, if she was even given one.

Which reminds me…

I pull on Mom’s arm. I’m not sure why, except I have the feeling this next bit would incite in her the urge to run. Right now, I really want answers. “I talked to someone from Rose Hill yesterday. I think you know them.”

Her eyebrow lifts. “Oh?”

“Detective Masters.”

She visibly shudders. And even if I didn’t see the revulsion cross her expression, I would’ve felt the cringe through my hold on her arm.

“Did you contact him?” she demands.

“Guy’s an asshole,” Liam adds. “He put Caleb in jail.”

“What?” I stare at him. I must’ve missed that. “When?”

“Senior year.” He shrugs. “The dick thought Caleb kidnapped Margo.”

“Skylar,” Mom snaps. “Did you—”

“I don’t even remember him.” I release her. “He called me. To see how I was doing. He was following the case, and I don’t know if he pulled strings to check up on me or what.” I narrow my eyes. “You know what? That would explain why the captain didn’t want Detective McAdams questioning me.”

I’ve completely flummoxed Mom now. She gapes at me.

It dawns on me how much I haven’t told her.

But… “You brought the captain in,” I accuse Liam.

He holds up his hands, shooting me what’s probably meant to be a soothing smile. Instead, buzzing sweeps through me—the kind of feeling you get when you stand too close to an electric fence.

“You didn’t need to talk to them,” he says flatly.

It’s more than that, I almost insist. But I can’t force the words out. They lodge in my throat, stalled by the silent conversation passing between Mom and Liam.

And suddenly, I’ve had enough.

“I’m tired,” I announce. “I’m going to bed.”

“We were going out to eat,” Mom protests faintly.

“We can get breakfast.” I slip past her and open my door for them. I’m so sick of secrets. It’s infuriating.

They seem to be keeping a lot of them.

“Goodnight.” I reach out and hug her. She’s solid beneath my palms, warm against my body. I wish we had an easy mother-daughter relationship, but our situation is complex. Heightened by the divorce, and Dad’s desire to still be there for me… We’ve struggled.

She shut me out for a time, too.

Neither of us can shoulder the blame, though. It was pure coincidence, circumstantial evidence that seemed to point us in the wrong direction.

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