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Roman and I aren't friends. More like acquaintances than anything. We run in the same circles and have a mutual respect for each other. The man might be an asshole, but he’s good at what he does, and he’s fair.
“Did you send the donation over yet?”
“It’s all done,” she chirps into the phone. She’s way too happy for this early in the morning.
I’m not really sure if the donation will do much now. Not if Roman is backing the place. Still, it might be something to get my foot in the door.
“Can I ask what’s going on, Oz? People are going to start asking questions, and your mother has been calling nonstop.”
“If I feel there is something you need to know then I’ll tell you. Get the rest of the list done. I want it all here quickly,” I say before ending the call.
I wish I had replaced her a few weeks ago when I noticed she was trying to flirt with me. She also tries to stick her nose in my personal business. I’d been so wrapped up in finding Kennedy that I put it off and just made sure she stayed the hell out of my office.
“Can you go take a fucking shower and change? No one is going to want to tell you anything with the way you look.”
I shoot Carter a glare, but he’s right. I could use a hot shower. When I’m done I’m going to call Roman. I’m just not sure how I want to play this.
Do I come right out and tell him who I’m looking for? He might ice me out the same as the woman last night. Or I could say I’m interested in the Healing Homes Organization. That I want to become more involved and would like a tour. Between that and the donation I sent, that should definitely get me in the door. Once I’m in, nothing will stop me from getting to Kennedy.
“I’ll be back,” I tell Carter, heading up to my room.
“I’ll get coffee,” he calls after me. My phone starts ringing in my pocket. No name shows. Normally I’d clear it, but since Kennedy disappeared, I answer every single call if I don’t know the number.
“Oz.”
“Where have you been? You missed the gala last night.”
“Did you call me from a random phone?”
“Yes. It’s the only way I can get my son to pick up the phone when I call him. What if I was hurt or something major is wrong?”
“I think you’ll be okay. You have an army of staff buzzing around you all the time.”
“They aren’t my family.”
“I’m busy right now, and I told you last week I wasn’t going to the damn gala.”
She lets out an annoyed huff. I have to keep my anger in check. Lashing out at her will do nothing but make things worse. If it wasn't for Dad, I would have parted ways with her long ago.
My father might have been shit when it came to business, but for some crazy-ass reason he loved Mom. He made me promise to take care of her. He knew the sort of messes she could get herself into.
“I’ve been trying to be understanding with everything that you have going on, but this is getting ridiculous at this point. You’re lucky I offered her that money. Now you know what kind of girl she was before she got her hooks into you. Or worse. She could have become pregnant with how reckless the two of you were being. You would have been stuck for the rest of your life. Instead of being upset, you should be thanking me for having your best interest at heart.”
My mother’s words have me pausing outside my hotel door. Pregnant. Why has that thought never crossed my mind? Did she run from me knowing she is carrying our child? White-hot anger burns through my chest at the thought.
“If I find out you’re lying about anything you told me, we will be done. All of it. I’ll put you in a home and be done with you,” I tell her. I’m tired of these fucking games.
I know Kennedy. I’ve touched and tasted every inch of my shy, sweet girl. She doesn't have a cruel bone in her whole body. She wouldn’t even kill a spider.
“Why would I need to lie?”
“I mean about any of it, Mother. Even if you’re only stretching the truth. You think about that and call me back if you have something you want to confess. But Mother, you’d be best to remember that time is ticking. I’m closing in on my girl. I’ll get her side of the story then. I’ll get the truth one way or another.”
“You found her?” she gasps. I don't bother responding. I end the call and hop in the shower. I quickly clean myself up to get back downstairs.
