“Your mom isn’twell.”
Pain flashed in her eyes. “I knowthat.”
“Her behaviortonight…”
“She shouldn’t have been drinking. It didn’t mix with the change inmeds.”
“Her brain cancer is terminal.” He hated himself, the words tasting like poison as they spilled fromhim.
“What?” She flung off the blanket and sprang to her knees. “No, you’re wrong. She told me herself, she’s going to getbetter.”
Nausea spread through him like a wildfire. “She hasGliosarcoma.”
“I don’t know what that is!” Her panic surged through him. “What are yousaying?”
For what felt like the longest moment, he couldn’t answer. Then he said, “This type of cancer doesn’t respond well to treatment. She isn’t going to get better. She’s dying and you deserve to know the truth.” Pain pummeled his chest. “I’m sosorry.”
She stared at him with disbelieving eyes. He didn’t crowd her or hug her. She needed space to process the unthinkable. The unimaginable. He’d turned her world upsidedown.
Her gut-wrenching wail came from the deepest, darkest part of her. Then, she flew off the sofa and with both hands gripping the sides of her head, paced in front of him. “No, no, no, no,no.”
She repeated the words, like a chant. He jumped up. She froze and stared into his eyes. Then, he put his arms aroundher.
Words escaped him as the horror washed over her face. She pounded her fists against his chest. “Nooooo! No way! You’rewrong!”
Hauling her against him, he hugged her tightly. “I’ve got you. I’m righthere.”
Rearing back, she glared at him. “Why areyoutelling me? What business is this of yours? You aren’t a Mitus. You have no idea what you’re saying!” She spun away from him and crumpled to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. “Ohmygod, ohmygod. Please,no.”
He dropped by her side and pulled her into his lap. She tried resisting, but he wrapped his arms around her and wouldn’t letgo.
Crockett hadn’t shed a tear since the day he’d learned his sister had been taken. He’d learned about the abduction from a Mitus. This moment didn’t feel like he was returning the favor. A tear streaked his cheek, but he wiped her tear-stained face instead. He wanted to take all of her pain, but he couldn’t. No onecould.
16
Don’t Shoot!
“Hello.”With his cellphone to his ear, Crockett rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. In the pre-dawn hour, the tiniest glint of light filled the sky and hisbedroom.
“Hey, babe.” Maverick’s booming voice cut through thesilence.
“Easy, man, you’ll wake thedead.”
Alexandra bolted upright. “Is it mymom?”
“It’s okay,” Crockett said. “It’s work. Go back tosleep.”
“Jesus, you’re with a woman. You never saidanything.”
“What’s going on?” Crockett asked as Alexandra laid her head on his chest. He switched the phone to his other ear and wrapped his arm around her. She felt fucking phenomenal wedged againsthim.
“Weather conditions are good. We’re a ‘Go’ for running aircraft teststoday.”
“Time?”
“Five forty-five.”
“Notnow. What time are youflying?”
