Page 200 of Vicious Temptation

Forty-Nine

remi

“What the hell, Matteo?”

It’s the third time I’ve called and the third time he’s sent me to voicemail.

I told him to meet me at the track. Sure, he doesn’t race, but he’s the closest thing I have to a best friend at the moment, which is as sad as it is tragic.

My thoughts drift to Thiago. The man I’m falling for is a cop, and I’m on my way to Furia to put a bullet between Rafe’s eyes. If Thiago knew what I was planning, he’d either have to arrest me or look the other way, and I refuse to put him in that position.

There it is. The problem I’ve been avoiding because I don’t have a solution for it yet. What we have feels too good to give up before I have to, so for now, I’m choosing not to think about what happens when our two worlds inevitably collide.

My phone lights up before I can dwell on it any longer, but it isn’t Matteo returning my calls.

It’s my mom.

This is the longest we’ve gone without speaking, and I hate it. The timing couldn’t be worse, but there’s no way I’m ignoring her.

“Shit.”

I hit accept just before the last ring and wait for her to speak.

“Remi,” she says softly.

“I’m sorry.” The words spill out. “I meant to call. I should have called.”

“Me too,” she says. “But I didn’t want to upset you again. I wanted to give you space.”

“Thank you,” I say as I ease off the accelerator.

Silence stretches between us until I hear a faint sniffle on her end.

“Mamá, please don’t cry.”

Her tears are the last thing I need right now, because if she cries, I’ll cry, and showing up to get revenge as a blubbering mess would kind of defeat the purpose.

“I’m not crying, mi amor. I’m just happy to hear your voice and to know you’re okay.”

“Of course I am.”

“You know I love you, Remi. Sometimes I let being your mother get in the way of trusting that you know what’s best for yourself. You’re my heart, and the thought of anyone hurting you scares me.”

I sigh. “Mamá…”

“But that doesn’t mean I get to make your choices for you.” Her voice softens. “If you really like this man, I trust your judgment. I trust you know what you’re doing.”

I want to reassure her and tell her that I’m in complete control, but the truth is that I’m doing life raw at the moment, flying by the seat of my ass and hoping I don’t crash.

“I like him,” I admit. “I really do. It’s scary as hell, Mami, but I want to see where this goes.” I hesitate, searching for a courage I never imagined I’d need. “And I want you to meet him. Really meet him.”

“I’d love to.”

The tension I’ve been carrying since our argument finally eases, and I almost forget where I’m headed until the sign for my exit comes into view.

“Can I bring him by for dinner sometime?”

“Your dad mentioned that. He said he stopped by today.”