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Chapter 1
Rowan
Mothers are supposedto be loving, gentle, and empathetic. Mine is the opposite of all those things. Rebecca Cavanaugh is a walking nightmare. She’s standing on my porch, and I’m on the verge of losing my shit.
Blue eyes almost identical to mine hold me in their snare and, just like that, I’m hurtled into the past. Years of psychological damage that I’vejuststarted to get over come rushing back. Like the time my mother looked me in the eye and told me she wished she’d ended her pregnancy since I didn’t do what I was supposed to—get her a chunk of the Lockwood fortune.
I “served no purpose” were her exact words. Some things a kid never forgets. I was twelve at the time, and although I had no idea what a Lockwood was, I was old enough to understand that she regretted bringing me into the world. Knowing my mother despised me hurt like a motherfucker.
Before I relive another nasty memory featuring Mom, I pull in a deep breath and drag myself back to the present. I have to remind myself that I’m not a kid craving even a sliver of affection from her anymore. I can’t believe I let her presence rattle me this much.
Finding my composure, I hit her with a cold stare and ask again, “What are you doing here?”
How the hell did she find me? Melanie would never give her my address. My sister mentioned weeks ago that our parents planned on visiting California, but I didn’t think much about it. At the back of my mind—the darkest corner—I knew I’d see Mom soon. But I certainly didn’t expect her to show up at my house.
She sighs. “Rowan, honey, you haven’t seen me in three years. A little more excitement on your part wouldn’t hurt.”
My jaw tightens at the sound of the saccharine endearment. Three years isn’t nearly long enough. I could go the rest of my life without seeing Rebecca again and I’d be happy. The last time she visited, I didn’t see much of her or her husband. Thankfully, I was on my regular duty at the Smokejumper Base, so Melanie couldn’t force the family time on me.
“That doesn’t mean you get to show up at my house uninvited.” I narrow my eyes at her. “How did you find me?”
She gazes at me for a moment before her pleasant mask slips. And there’s the miserable woman I know and resent.
Her attention moves away from me to peer over my shoulder into the foyer before she says, “Nice place you’ve got here.” She looks back at the Porsche in the driveway. “Fancy car, too.”
My hackles rise even more when she turns back to me with a question in her eyes. Of course, I never told my mother I got the piece of the Lockwood pie she’s always wanted for herself. Hell, I got the whole thing. She’ll have a fit if she finds out I inherited theentirefortune she schemed for years to get a portion of.
Did she find out? If so, there’s one culprit who’d divulge my secret.
Still, I ask, “How did you get my address?”
“First, let me say, it’s a shame your mother didn’t know where you live until now.”
My molars clamp together.
“But I got an interesting call from a woman claiming to be your lawyer.”
Just as I thought. Devlin, that bitch. She knows why I keep my mother in the dark about my grandfather leaving me everything. I can already picture the endless torment of Rebecca and her husband riding me for money for the rest of my life. I’ll never be rid of them, no matter how much I give them.
“Funny, I don’t have a female lawyer.”Anymore.
“The woman said she no longer works for you, but she told me where to find you. I was confused at first,” she looks around again, “but she said you wanted to see me...”
So, Devlin’s plan is to torture me with my mother? Not very creative, as revenge goes.
“Is there something you want to tell me, Rowan?”
I frown. I thought she’d come right out and tell me she knows I have billions and she wants what’s hers—what shethinksis hers.
“I have nothing to say to you, Rebecca. I certainly didn’t ask to see you.”
She scowls at that. “You know, you could show your mother a little more respect.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I glower at her. Is she for real? “How about you go away and come back when youdeservemy respect?”
“You’ve always been an ungrateful little...” She inhales. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. I have to get back to James.”
Hearing my stepfather’s name sets off a series of unhealthy emotions. Hatred and anger zip through my bloodstream.
