“It’s okay. I’m the past-mayor, like a past-president. I should be kept in the loop.” His mother’s over-the-top sweetness seemed comical beside Lissa’s faux-polite demeanor.
“Dolores, I don’t think that’s a thing,” Cam said. His mother’s name felt odd on his tongue, but better than calling her momhad in a long time. An image of a famous movie character named Dolores came to mind, and not for the first time. He had the full set of Harry Potter DVDs and had noticed the resemblance. Pastel sweater sets and a cruel, fake smile. His mother was a dead-ringer for Dolores Umbridge. Yes, from now on, she could be Dolores.
She stepped closer to Lissa, her index finger pointing at Lissa’s face. “The Slains killed my son. I have a right to whatever you know.” Her watery pale green eyes and sad tone didn’t fool him. She was irate and up to something. He’d known she had another agenda for her visit. Not only was it not about him, but it wasn’t about Lissa either. Dolores was feeling powerless and wanted leverage to get back in the game.
“I’m sorry, that doesn’t entitle you to have privileged information. Leadership has taken steps to keep us safe. That’s all you need to know.” Cam angled his body in front of Lissa’s as he interrupted. She shouldn’t have to deal with his horrid mother and her misplaced anger.
“I still think you’re part of a plot to steal this place from us.” His mother wagged her finger in Lissa’s impassive face as her tone became caustic.
Lissa flinched, stepping back. His mother had invaded her personal space for too long.
“Dolores, it’s time for you to leave.” Cam reached for her elbow.
His mother snatched her arm away with a snarl. “You have no right to touch me. You’re nothing, and I wish you’d never been born.”
Cam felt the dagger to his heart but chose not to respond. She’d said this before, but not for many years. He repeated, “It’s time to go.” Part of him felt like a child again, broken-hearted by his mother’s unfeeling comments. For years, she’d taken out her anger at his father’s departure on Cam. Everyonealways said how much he resembled his father, in looks and in temperament. That wasn’t his fault. Neither was this.
“It’s bad enough you got your younger brother killed. Now you’re bringing trouble down on us all.” Her face flushed with her accusation.
Cam shook his head, unable to speak. He’d known she felt this way, but it didn’t lessen the pain. He kept his expression neutral. Better not to let it show in front of Dolores.
Lissa rested her hand on Cam’s rigid shoulder and stepped in front of him like a human shield. The intense look on her face made him fall in love further. She was up for this battle. “This is Cam’s house, and he doesn’t have to put up with your abuse. Leave.”
Dolores stepped back, perhaps startled by Lissa’s blazing anger. The air between them practically sizzled, then Dolores hissed. “If you’re a spy, I hope they catch you in the act and lock you in a dungeon.”
She was preposterous. His jaw ached, and face felt hot.
Lissa wasn’t finished. “You came here to meet me. Now you have. Cam was kind enough to let me stay here while my shoulder heals. It’s a shame you can’t see him the way I do. He cooks delicious food, helps with any task, remembers everything he’s read, and thinks about other’s feelings. Including yours, even ifyoudon’t deserve it. We don’t want you here. You call yourself a mother, but all I see is an angry, bitter woman grasping at power she no longer has. What we do is none of your business. I’ll see you out.”
Warmth filled Cam. Lissa had defended him to the one person who always put him last. Her actions spoke volumes and filled him with hope.
Dolores sputtered. “You-you-you can’t talk to me that way.”
Lissa lifted her hand and pointed toward the door. The women had a thirty-second standoff while Cam held his breath.At last, his mother’s face flushed beet red, and she stomped toward the exit. Lissa at her heels, herding her away.
The door clicked, and the tumblers in the lock clunked as she spun the wheel.
She returned alone. “She might be your mother, but she’s a cold, nasty woman. Is she always so angry?”
He nodded. “Often. Thank you for taking my side.”
“She didn’t mean what she said.” Lissa’s amber eyes were shiny, as though almost teary. For him. Because he hurt.
He opened his arms. “Can I have another hug?” Maybe one without interruption.
She stepped into him, protecting her injured arm but holding him tight with the other. She tucked her head under his chin and rested it against his shoulder. He sighed, allowing her comfort to seep into him. This was why he wanted a life with her. Why he loved her. Around her, his feeling of isolation disappeared. It was too early to say the special words on his lips, but he hoped they would have forever.
“I should tell the captain about her accusations,” he said at last. “I’ll call before my shift at two.” He let Lissa go, missing her warmth when she left his arms. “I worry something more is afoot.”
Chapter 23: Lissa
For her first week at xTerra, Lissa remained in Cam’s bunker except to go for evening walks with him. After the first few days, he returned to active duty with the Watch but was home for dinner each night and only worked day shifts. She appreciated that he’d made this change to look out for her, and it filled her with warmth because he adjusted his life to make space for her. Throughout her lifetime, few others had made her feel so important.
They picked up their previous easy rapport during this time together. They played crib, read books, watched movies, and talked when they felt like it. Her favorite part of the day was cuddling on the couch. She loved filling her time and space again with Cam. While he’d enjoyed being outdoors and had seemed in his element in Nebraska, this fit too.
This morning, when Cam left for his shift, it seemed different. She couldn’t focus on anything, finding herself wandering around the bunker, unable to settle. Lissa missed her cats and hoped they didn’t have to range too far for water if there wasn’t rain. She missed the smell of rain in the air, and the first flowers of spring. She ground her molars. The season was passing without her getting to enjoy her favorite things. She wanted to go home. She and Cam were in a holding pattern,waiting for her arm to heal, waiting for the Slains to make a move. Lissa was tired of inaction.
Eventually, she curled up with a book she’d read twice before—a spicy romance. She puffed out a breath when she reached a love scene. Reading it reminded her she and Cam hadn’t had sex again. Not since the night he’d left Crawford. He’d reminded her how satisfying and intimate sex could be with the right partner. But he was being careful.
