“An excellent summary, mi fiore. And Dr. Davis must know something of all this, too. My friends and I can be very convincing.”
I rolled my eyes. “I said no killing people!”
The burner phone’s shrill ringtone made me jump slightly. “Maggie?” I asked as Gabriel picked it up.
“No,” Gabriel said, holding it out to show me the random number with a Fairview area code. “Is it your mother?”
I shook my head.
Gabriel answered, but said nothing.
“Bridget?” My mother’s voice asked after a moment.
I snatched the phone from Gabriel and hopped up. All my adrenaline came roaring back. “Yes, it’s me.”
“I’m sorry, I had to go out. He still listens to the phone calls sometimes,” she said. Her voice was breathless. “Are you safe?”
“Where are you?” I asked instead of answering her question.
“I’m in a cafe a few blocks from the house. I don’t have much time. He’ll just think I’m getting a coffee, but if I stay too long…” She cleared her throat. “Please tell me you’re alright.”
“Yes, I am. How did you know where to find me the other day?” I paced behind the couch, from one of the large windowson the far wall down the short hall to the front door, and back. Nathan, Andrew, and Gabriel watched me in silence.
“I heard him talking about you on the phone. That you were involved in some kind of medical study at that place. I thought…” she trailed off, her voice choked.
So my worst suspicions were confirmed. “How did Domenic know I was there?”
“I don’t know,” my mother said, a pleading note in her voice. I didn’t believe her for a second. My mother had nothing else to do with her life than follow her Alphas around like a ghost.
“Is he the one sending me threats? And trying to kill my coworkers?” I demanded. My mother didn’t answer. I changed tack. “I know you know something. Please, just tell me.”
“I can’t talk about this here,” my mother whispered, her voice barely audible.
I wanted to scream in frustration. “I need to know what’s going on. My… friend almost died.” I glanced over at Nathan. We were still friends, right? He wouldn’t meet my eyes.
Silence fell again. I wanted to rail at her, to force her to talk. But I remembered how she used to be, how she’d clam up when my father screamed at her, how she shut down and justtookit. I forced myself to take a deep breath. “Mom, please.”
She hesitated again. “I can’t.”
“I promise, no one will ever know it was you. I have friends who can help you now. Please,” I begged again, and my voice broke. It was only a little fake. “I need your help, Mom.”
She sighed. “Meet me at the diner we used to go to when you were little. I’m picking up a catering order tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a party. We can talk for a few minutes.”
A rush of relief made my knees nearly buckle. “Thank you.” I looked at Gabriel, who watched me intently. “We can help you, Mom. You can hide.”
“I don’t… I can’t do that. You know I can’t,” she said, her voice tinged with anger. “I have to go.”
“Think about it, please—” But the line went dead.
I finally stopped pacing. I had done it; I had spoken to her, and the world hadn’t ended.
Andrew’s scent surrounded me, which surprised me. I’d expected Gabriel to come to me first. But this was good, too.
He took the phone gently from my hand, then tilted my chin up to look me in the eye. His were as intense as ever. “Okay?”
“Yes. Weirdly, I am.”
“What did she say?” Gabriel asked as I let Andrew intertwine our fingers and lead me to his empty chair.
