He didn’t laugh.
He didn’t get annoyed.
He looked sad and soft and said no.
I think about how he kisses Mama like she’s the most important thing in the world.
I think about how he told me and Sabrina how we couldn’t have ice cream for a midnight snack but then gave in and let us have a bowl anyway.
I think about the way he looked at me after the fire, like he wanted to wrap the whole world in a cage so nothing could touch me again.
Rory is lying.
Mav would never send us away.
Mav would never let someone hurt Mama.
Mav would never let Uncle Steffy bleed in the road.
I wipe my face with my sleeve.
Then I lean close to Mama’s ear.
“You have to wake up,” I whisper. “Because daddy is coming, but I think we have to be ready too.”
Mama doesn’t answer.
But her fingers twitch once inside my hand.
I hold on tighter and stare at the locked door.
I’m scared.
I’m really, really scared.
But I’m also mad.
And Mama says sometimes anger is just fear standing up.
So I let mine stand.
Rory thinks I’m just a kid.
That’s his mistake.
I’m Olivia Moore.
Soon to beDonOlivia Moretti.
And my daddy is coming.
Because you don’t mess with a Moretti and get away with it.
***Mia***
The first thing I feel is cold.
Not normal cold.
