Page 14 of Their Tracked Obsession

I giggled for pretty much the entire breakfast. Lost in bittersweet memories and the new moment we’d made. It was great to have Raven back in my life, and she was accepting of the men I chose to spend the rest of my life with. No hesitation, worry, or restrictions. A girl could get used to this wonderful treatment.

“Knock, knock!” a loud, overbearing voice hollered from the front entryway. “Mommy’s here!”

On second thought—kill me.

I turned beet red, placed my hands over my face, and sank into the seat. Shit. Mom was early and sounded as if she had been into the expensive brandy before she left. This would be fun.

Eight

Their Eternity

Liv

Mom graced us with her presence and flew into the dining area with a too wide fucking smile. Her outstretched arms latched onto an unlucky Raven, and she squeezed the air out of her with a tight hug. Unfortunately, I was up next. I didn’t extend a warm welcome and remained seated in my chair.

“Oh, honey…” Mom grabbed my cheeks, pinched them, and made me peer up at her. “Always shy for Mommy.”

God, Mom stank of alcohol.

Mom must’ve drank an entire bottle, but her red lipstick was perfect. She wore a white skirt with a white blouse and a red belt. She carried a ruby clutch to match her scarlet manicured nails.

“I should be when you’ve had one too many this morning,” I mumbled with a fake smile.

Mom let go of my cheeks and waved a hand at me. “Oh, shush. It’s five o’clock somewhere, sweetie.”

Mom shrieked with arms wide open. I jumped at her ridiculous sound and rolled my eyes. Embarrassment was an understatement.

Raven leaned over me and whispered, “I didn’t know Gloria was a day drinker. She’s quite a lush.”

“Neither did I,” I sighed with arms crossed over my chest, and glared at my mom. “Mother. What are you doing?”

“What does it look like, dear?” Mom hugged my fiancé. “I’m saying hi to my future son-in-law.”

Mom had Saint locked in a tight embrace, and his face scrunched up in confusion. The sight was absolutely ridiculous because she was extremely short and he was far too tall. Her arms wrapped around his midsection, and he didn’t know what to do with his limbs. Poor Saint stood there.

I snorted. “Mom. Let Saint go.”

“No,” she argued and squeezed him as hard as she could.

Saint glanced over at Sin and mouthed, “Help me.”

Sin didn’t move a muscle for an entire minute. He simply shrugged, and we exchanged a brief smile. We’d let Saint soak this bonding moment in with Mom.

“Oh, Mrs. Valencia…” Sin finally called out with open arms. “Don’t forget about me?”

Mom let go of Saint and extended the warm gesture to Sin. “Of course not!”

Sin bent his knees to be at eye level with Mom and wrapped her up in a hug. He lifted her off her feet as she heaved an excited squeal of laughter, and he swung her around in a circle. She wobbled on her high heels once she touched the floor again, but Sin held her steady.

“Whoa. Easy now. Mrs. V.” Sin playfully winked at me. “Can I get you another drink?”

“No,” I mouthed, shaking my head at Sin.

“Nah. My limousine’s got me covered, son.” Gloria hiccupped and patted Sin lightly on the cheek. “Aren’t you a dear? Call me Mom from now on.”

“You got it, Mom.” Sin grinned.

“Both of you.” She scolded Saint and pointed at him. “You’re going to be part of our family, and whatever past misgiving we had is over. Gone. Kaput. Kapeesh?”