Page 122 of Kylie

I stared at the woman who’d given me life, not at all surprised that my receding fear quickly morphed into anger.

“Thank God I found you,” she said, out of breath.

Frowning, I waited for her to continue because I had no idea what to say to this woman. She was the reason Martin had taken me. Or part of it, anyway. It wasn’t necessarily her fault, but there was no denying she was the reason. Not for the first time, I wondered whether things would’ve been different if Meredith had come to my funeral. Would Martin have let me go if he’d gotten his greedy paws on her? Would she have traded herself for my freedom?

Seriously doubtful, on both counts.

“How are you?” Meredith asked. “You look good.”

I stared up at her, my ire rising. “Do I?”

“Yes, of course.”

I glared at my mother and gave my anger some freedom. “Do you know that I nearly starved to death? Do you know that my doctor breathes a sigh of relief each time she sees I’ve gained another pound? Or that I can almost walk up the stairs without needing to sit down and take a break? Or that I can’t carry my own children anymore? Not just because they grew up while I was in a shit hole, but because I don’t have the strength since I was chained to the fuckin’ floor and starved for two months? But you want to tell me I look good?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“The hell you didn’t.”

“He’s got my daughter,” Meredith said on a harsh breath.

I stood up, wishing I could’ve launched to my feet, but despite being physically better, I still had significant limitations. And storming off wasn’t in the cards.

“I’m sorry for that, Meredith. I truly am. I know firsthand what she’s goin’ through.”

“Then do something about it,” she hissed.

“What would you propose I do? Huh? Would you like me to call him up and offer a trade?”

Meredith stared at me, and it was then that an immense hatred flooded my bloodstream.

“Oh my God.” I exhaled roughly. “You would trade me for her in a heartbeat, wouldn’t?”

“She’s a child,” Meredith countered.

I clamped my jaw closed before I launched a tirade.

“Help her, Kylie. You have to help her.”

“How do you propose I do that?” I repeated.

“You have to know where he’s keeping her. You were with him for almost two years.”

My eyebrows launched into my hairline. “Seriously? Did you think I was buddy-buddy with the guy who kidnapped me and chained me to the fuckin’ floor?” I inhaled deeply, let it out in a rush. My attempt to regain my composure and rein in my fury left me feeling lightheaded. I managed to remain on my feet, but I wasn’t sure how.

“Tell Brantley where to find him,” Meredith stated.

“Try his house, Mother.” The words came out moderately calmer. “Or his job. They seem like the logical places. And yes, Brantley and his team know where all of those places are. They’ve done their due diligence. They’ve even searched the shit hole house I was in.”

I didn’t tell her that I knew all of this because Archer and I had become friends. We didn’t spend much time talking about what happened to me or what progress they’d made in the case, but the subject did come up from time to time.

“That’s not good enough,” Meredith seethed.

“Yeah, well. I guess turnabout is fair play.”

She slammed her hands onto her hips. “What does that mean?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I learned how to disappoint people by watchin’ you.”