I don’t have to ask who she’s referring to. “Yes.”
She sighs, and she sounds so weary. “It’s time I finally dealt with him and ended all this. Your father’s tried to protect me all these years, but it’s time I dealt with him.” Her eyes are full of regret when they land on me. “I should have just told him the truth back when I was in college, but I was young and dumb.” She shakes her head. “One day, your father swept into my life, knocked my feet out from under me, and I knew what real love was. I tried to let Bane down gently, but I should have just been firm with him. He's made contact a few times over the years, but I never followed up. I really thought that was the end of it. When he resurfaced last year, I was shocked.”
“Touching story, Kelley. Too bad it’s not the truth.”
I startle at the dark voice, berating myself for not paying better attention to my surroundings. I feel like I’m in a tunnel without my connection to my wolf, and all my senses are muted. I glance at my mom, who lifts her head in a show of defiance. “Bane. This is enough.” I recognize that voice; it’s her “mom” voice, also known as her “don’t mess with me” voice.
He walks over to her, and I tense when he stares down at her. “Kelley.” Whatever he used to feel for my mom has been displaced with anger and bitterness.
“This has to end,” my mom tries again. “I made my choice.”
He continues to stare down at her. “You made your choice,” he repeats and then laughs; it’s cold and merciless. “Are youready to tell the truth?” She doesn’t say anything, and I can see the defiance in her eyes. “I’ll give you time to think about it.”
And then he’s gone, and the other men go with. I stare at the door and wait for them to come back. I hear my mom take a shuddering breath. “Are you okay?” I ask her.
“He gave me something before he left.” Her voice is breathy and slurred. Her head lolls a moment later.
“Mom. Mom, wake up.” There’s nothing from her in return. The minutes drag into hours or maybe longer. I have no way of telling time down here. I drift in and out of it, still fighting the effects of whatever was in that coffee.
Eventually, the door opens once again. Bane and two other men enter. I lift my head and track them. My heartbeat speeds up, and I brace myself for what’s coming. I’ve never been subjected to torture or abuse, and I’m not really sure how I’d hold up. I'd like to think I’d be strong enough; Iwantto be strong enough. I expect them to come for me, but they walk over to my mom instead.
“Leave her alone,” I demand. Nobody pays a lick of attention to me; it’s as if I’m not even in the room.
I watch in horror as one of the guys pulls over a small table and puts a black case there. I feel the blood drain from my face. The guy opens the case, and I fight against my restraints. Bane steps forward and gets right in my mom’s face. “I’m glad you’re finally here, Kelley, so we can set the story straight.” He puts a hand up to my mom’s face. She doesn’t move a muscle, but I fight against my chains. Bane looks over at me. “It’s time you learn the full truth.”
“Stop,” my mom says.
I stare Bane down. “I won’t believe a word you say. You’re the worst kind of evil.”
My words don’t have nearly the impact I want them to. He throws his head back and laughs, but it’s evil. He sobers quick enough. “Do you want to tell her, or should I?”
“I’m not going to believe a word you—” I don’t get to finish before he backhands me. My head slams into the wall behind me.
“Shut up.” He’s in my face a moment later. My face burns, and fury pounds through me. He grabs hold of my hair and pulls so hard it brings tears to my eyes. But I stare him down. He turns to look at one of the men with him. “If she keeps talking, I give you permission to cut her tongue out. She doesn’t need it for what I have in mind.” Horror and terror roll over me, and I bite my tongue so hard I taste blood. I believe his threat. He turns back to my mom.
“If you hurt my daughter,” she starts in a scarier voice than I’ve ever heard her use.
“That’s rich, coming from you,” he says. He steps back and walks over to the black box and pulls out a wickedly sharp knife.
“What are you going to do?” My mother’s voice is calm, so calm. Meanwhile, I’m trying desperately to get free.
He steps up next to her. “How about a cut for every lie?”
“Stop!” I demand, yanking against the chains.
Nobody pays any attention to me. Bane moves close, putting the knife to my mom’s cheek. She goes very still, and anger burns through me. “Did you ever tell him?” he asks.
It’s quiet, and I yank hard again. “Stop, Bane,” my mom says in a calm voice.
“Did you tell him?” he roars at her.
“There was nothing to tell.”
He strikes, and I scream when he draws the blade down my mom’s cheek. Blood drips down her face and onto her shirt. “Stop it!” I scream at him.
“Did you tell him?” he asks again.
“There was nothing—” she doesn’t get the words out before he drags a different knife down her arm. This time she cries out in pain.
