“Let this be a clean start. You’re so bright. You have your whole life ahead of you.”
I feel so bad as I hear the sadness in her voice. I promised myself I’d stop bringing her heartache and here I am, living with the son of a crime boss. A killer and crime boss in the making.
I close my eyes and nod as if she can see me. I have no way out of this now, but I’m going to make it out on the other sideand do something she can be proud of. The last thing I want is to break my mother’s heart.
“I’m going to do my best, Mom.”
“That’s all I ask. Your uncle and I were talking about some private schools we think would be great for you. He said he would cover the cost of everything. You know how much I hate taking money from that man, but I feel like if I don’t do this, I’m going to lose you,” she chokes out.
“Mom, I promise it’s going to be okay. Get some sleep. We’ll talk about this later. For now, I’m safe and staying out of trouble. Okay?”
“Okay. I love you, Oni. I’d do anything to protect you.”
“I love you too, Mom. Stop worrying about me.”
“I will always worry about you. You’re my baby.”
“Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, baby.”
I hang up the phone and stare off into space. I have to do better. My joyrides are going to break my mom’s heart.
My dad is gone. Stealing cars isn’t going to bring him back. No matter how much I try to connect with him through the thrill.
I swipe at my tears and hop up from my place on the floor. Not sure if my uncle will answer a call, I shoot him a text.
Me:We need to talk.
Uncle Claude:I will see you in the morning. All you had to do was walk away and not try to take the car.
Uncle Claude:You’re just like your dad. It hurt like hell to see you couldn’t leave it alone.
Me:You were there?
Uncle Claude:I’m always here. Don’t let them get you into anything I can’t get you out of. This was the only way. I love you, cub.
More tears spill down my face as he uses the nickname my father used to call me. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t try to steal that car. I’m my own worst enemy.
A mouse, I walked right into the trap. The cheese was too sweet for me to ignore. Now look at me.
Not just caught with my hand in the cookie jar. My hand is stuck and I’m sure I’m going to break it if I try to pull it out now.
Exhaustion sets in and I’m too angry with Rico and myself to head back to his room. I don’t want to talk to him. Right now, I don’t want to get to know anything else about him.
I don’t know who to be more angry with. Me for taking the bait, or him for setting it. I ran all this way to land in a gilded cage.
“Great job, Oni.”
I freeze when I hear movement outside my door. Holding my breath, I climb into bed and pretend to be asleep.
Please go away, please go away.
I chant the words in my head like a prayer, hoping they are heard. Maybe he’s changed his mind and plans to kill me.
CHAPTER 5
Unwanted
