“All right. Cheeseburger, fries, cookies, and everything else on the menu coming right up.” Mazey lifted the phone and placed their order. When she hung up, she said with a grin, “I’m sure that will be up here in no time. Having a hotel room booked by Montgomery Jackson Winchester Townsend III has its perks.”
“Yep. One of the perks of being married to that man is I never have to wait long for what I want.” Alyssa sat on the couch. “Now. Let’s get to know you, Mallory. I’m sure we’re missing some pertinent information. It’s not like you’ve been an open book with my friends.”
Mallory took the dig at her secrecy. She deserved it. “Um, okay, what do you want to know?”
“Start with the basics. Age, schooling, job, family. No, wait, let’s not talk about your family right now. We’ll save the drama for later.”
“Twenty-seven. Degree in early childhood development and education. Currently unemployed. Well, except for the Dawson Foundation. I run that.”
Alyssa jerked back, her spine straight. “You run the Dawson Foundation?”
“Yes. It’s a—”
“I know what it is. I’ve dealt with the charity arm. Well, Maryn and Jack have really, but I know about your family is what I’m saying.” Alyssa placed her hand on Mallory’s arm. “I’m sorry about your mother and grandmother. You must have been so young when they died.”
“I never met my grandmother, and Mom died when I was six so I don’t remember a lot about her. Only what Dad shared, and photos, some videos.” Mallory was saddened by her mother’s death but she’d been so little the loss hadn’t affected her like most people thought it did.
“I can’t believe I didn’t connect the dots to you before now.” Alyssa’s hand squeezed gently. “Are you okay?”
Mallory knew what she was asking. It wasn’t a secret but she didn’t go around advertising it either. “Yes. I’ve been cancer free for over ten years.”
Mazey gasped. “You had cancer ten years ago?”
“Ah, yes, breast cancer. The same as my mother and grandmother.” It was so long ago, at times it seemed surreal, as though it had happened to someone else. “We caught it early, it hadn’t spread, but due to my family history, I opted for a bilateral mastectomy.”
“You…” Mazey’s gaze moved to Mallory’s chest.
“Fake.”
“You know what?” Alyssa asked. “I admire you making that tough decision but I have to admit, knowing the world you grew up in, it’s far more admirable that you chose to get B implants and not the usual double D most women go for when they get a boob job.”
Mallory laughed. She understood Alyssa was putting some levity into the discussion and she appreciated it. “I wish I could take credit for that but as I was barely sixteen and that was my size before the cancer was discovered I didn’t consider anything bigger.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve passed the ten year mark.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Mazey got to her feet and headed that way. “That’s probably Maryn. Why she isn’t using her key is anyone’s guess,” she said over her shoulder. Pressing her eye to the peep hole, Mazey asked, “Who’s there?”
“Not Maryn,” Alyssa said beside her as a muffled “Room service” came through the door.
Mazey shot them a smile over her shoulder. “You’re right. Jack booking the room does have perks.” She’d barely turned the handle when the door burst open, knocking her to the floor.
It happened so fast, Mallory only had time to get to her feet and shove Alyssa behind her before she faced her stepsister. She swallowed. Renee looked horrible, her hair greasy and lank, her eyes bloodshot and dilated.
“You bitch! First you take my mother, then you take my money!” Renee screamed as she charged forward.
Mallory couldn’t move. Renee came at her, arm extended, a gun in her hand.
She’d never seen a gun in real life. The idea that her stepsister had one pointed at her seemed ludicrous. And yet, there it was, aimed right at her.
“What? Nothing to say now,bitch?” Renee sneered.
“W-where is Donna?” Why she was asking about her stepmother right now she didn’t know, except Renee had been released into her mother’s care. Shouldn’t she be with her?
“Donna? My traitor of a mother?” The gun swayed back and forth and Mallory hoped Renee didn’t accidentally pull the trigger.
“Is she with you?” Mallory had no idea how her voice sounded so calm. She certainly didn’t feel calm. Whatever the furthest thing from calm was, that’s what she was feeling.
“No. She’s gone. Just like you’ll be.” Renee looked around. “Right after you give me the kid.”
