Page 77 of Vicious Deception

As I expected, Mom is on the back porch watching Maggie sniff around the yard. It’s starting to get warmer, but early mornings are still chilly, so she’s under a blanket.

When I step outside, she looks up at me and smiles. “Sit with me?”

I settle onto the porch swing, and she drapes the blanket over my lap. Her eyes are glistening as she cups my face in her palm.

“I’m okay,” I lie.

She shakes her head. Of course she can see right through me.

“I’llbeokay.” I take both of her hands in mine, covering them. “You’re cold.”

“I don’t mind.” She glances around the yard. “It’s nice out here. She would’ve liked it.”

“She would’ve.”

Losing Sammy is the most devastating thing that’s ever happened to us. Of course it’s been the hardest for Rhett, but I know how deeply Mom has mourned her all these years. Our house became a safe haven for Rhett, but even more so for Sammy.

I smile as memories of weekend breakfasts and playing dress-up fill my mind. In the summer, we’d swim in the community pool, come home to dinner, and then play in our tiny backyard until the sun went down. Then we’d watch a movie or catch fireflies or listen while Mom read us a story.

When Sammy was killed, I lost a sister, and Mom lost a daughter. I know that deep down, she wishes things had been different. We’ve all had the thoughts. If we could’ve changed the circumstances even slightly, Sammy would still be here.

“She would’ve loved how big the yard is,” Mom whispers.

As I watch her, a familiar ache returns to my chest. It’s unlike most of the other pain I’ve experienced. There’s no way to fix this. Not even revenge will make it better, and we all know it.

“Mom . . .” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me that you found him?”

“I didn’t think you’d be on board with what we’re going to do. We’re not planning on only killing him.”

She laughs, although it’s half a sob. “Oh, Oliver. I tried to instill goodness in you. I really did, but . . .” She gestures at herself. “I’m the wrong person to do so. But I think in the process, I led you to believe otherwise.”

“What? Mom, come on. You’re one of the most compassionate people I know. You’re good down to your core.”

But she shakes her head. “I’ve done things, Oliver. Things I don’t regret. Things that place me far away from being a good person.”

“Then I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?”

Her fingers curl around my hand as she sighs. “I know you, Ollie. You didn’t give up your humanity to get to this point. None of you did.”

“Did you?”

Her smile is sad. “No. If anything, I think I found it.”

I don’t ask her what she did. If she’s ever ready, she’ll tell me. It doesn’t matter, anyway. There isn’t anything that’d change how much I love her.

“It took us years to find him,” I tell her. “But we never gave up. We got close to him—worked for him, even—and now . . . Well, you know.”

Her expression is sincere as she says, “I’ve never been more proud of you in my life.”

“Mom. I’m ahitman.”

“I know. Wren told me.” She shoots me a pointed look. “Don’t let her go. She’s a fighter.”

“Trust me, I know. We’re not planning on losing her.Ever.”

“I was harsh with her when we first met,” Mom says on a sigh. “It was the exact opposite of how I wanted it to go, but I was so scared for you. I was worried she had something to do with your disappearance.”

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