Page 47 of Fractured Remains


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What the guys are telling me? It’s huge. This changes everything. I never knew. Had no idea. And now I have so many questions.

They’re talking about killing my mama.

I should be running from the room screaming and calling the police, not feeling safer than I have in months.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Everything. They broke me in that facility, and new Callie doesn’t care about right and wrong. It’s not like the guys are talking about killing innocent people here. Every single person linked to that facility deserves what Devon is promising, and more.

But my mama?

Surely she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Coerced somehow or bribed? She can’t have really known what would happen to me. She can’t have meant for things to turn as bad as they did.

There I go, sailing down that river of denial again.

“I want to see her,” I say, startling the others. “My mama. I have to ask her why.”

“Callie, you need to understand—” East begins, but I cut him off. I get to my feet.

“She’s my mum. I deserve answers from her at the very least. Once I have them…” I take a deep breath and steel myself for what I’m about to say. Agree to. “Once I have them, she’s all yours.”

“That’s fair,” Devon tells me, nodding. “But we all go to see her together. You’re not being left alone with her, and if she tries to hurt you in any way, we will make things a thousand times more painful for her.”

Fuck. I swallow hard and nod stiffly. Did I just sign my own mother’s death warrant? Does she truly deserve it?

Who am I?I wonder as I stare at the three boys I’ve loved my whole life. They’re strangers to me now, yet somehow more familiar than ever. Who are they? And why does tonight’s revelation make me feel safe? Like I’m with my own kind?

“Get some rest. We go first thing.”

“In the morning?” I choke.

“Monsters don’t just play in the dark, firecracker,” Devon says with a sinister grin. I think he’s waiting for me to freak out, and even though I want to, it’s not for the reasons he’s thinking of.

“Okay. I guess I’ll get dinner on then,” I reply, clutching onto the first mundane, normal activity I can think of.

“You do that. I’m going to call Matteo. Tex? You have some messages to go through on your computer. East? Keep Callie company until it’s dinner time. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he gets to his feet and walks out. Tex gives me a squeeze on the shoulder and goes into his room. I’m left sitting on the sofa, staring at East on the floor opposite me.

“Shall we cook?” he asks. “Might take your mind off things, or I can answer some of your questions.”

“Okay,” I reply shakily. Let’s just discuss murder and torture and contract killings casually as we make a meal together. Because that’s totally normal.

Dinner is a quiet affair. Me and East are mostly silent while we make it, and Devon disappears into his room without a word when he returns. I wish I’d had the courage to ask East the questions burning on my tongue while we were alone.

As we sit down around the table to eat, no-one makes eye contact. We all drink too much and eat too little. I excuse myself shortly afterwards for a shower and an early night.

Not that I can sleep.

All of the events from the day keep going around and around my head, from the feel of Devon’s hand in mine to the hauntingly familiar sound of that bike. It was Joe’s bike. I know it. And Devon is going to hunt for him so that he can bring him to justice.

It doesn’t sit right with me for some reason. Which is insane, I know. Because I’m more comfortable with the deal I’ve struck with Devon over my mum, than the idea of him finding Joe and…dealing with him.

I’m in denial.

Clearly.

The idea that after tomorrow my mother will cease to exist anymore is so alien, I can’t quite grasp it. I know what they said, but it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m not sure if it ever will. The idea that the men at the facility will be made to pay for what they did to me, for making me the person I am today…I’m okay with that. But some desperate part of me still clings to the idea that Joe is innocent, accidentally tangled up in something he doesn’t understand.

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