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Her sobs fill the room. “I could have lost you.”
“I know,” I agree. “But you didn’t. I’m right here.”
She pulls away, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “The doctor said you were lucky. Another few inches and those bastards could have hit a vital organ.”
I was startled at the use of her words. My mom never curses.
“Is everyone else okay?”
“The boys are downstairs with Jordin. They’re still a little shaken up, but other than that, they’re doing okay. They’re more worried about you than anything else.”
There’s one name she hasn’t mentioned.
“And Eric?”
She looks away.
“I don’t want you to worry about that. You need to concentrate on getting better.”
“Where is he mom?”
“Eric’s been arrested.”
“What? When?”
“The police came and took him when we were all trying to get the hell out of there. They saw the gun in his hand and arrested him on suspicion of murder. Can you believe that? We were getting shot at by those animals, yet he was the one who got arrested. Saint is going to see him today. He’s meeting his lawyer to get him out.”
“Why did you lie to me, mom?”
Her face turns into a mixture of shock and surprise.
“Lie to you?” she questions.
“I knew something wasn’t right with Eric. I knew that he was mixed up in something dangerous. I told you, but you played it off, lying that he was just another businessman. You made it seem like I was overreacting. Except, he isn’t just a typical businessman, is he?
Eyes downcast, she shakes her head.
“You knew he was a dangerous criminal, and yet you married him anyway.”
Her face coils with regret.
“I wanted to tell you. Please believe me. I did. But Eric didn’t want you to know. He didn’t want you to be fearful of him or your home.”
I shake my head. That’s bullshit, and she knows it. “You should have told me.”
“I was scared, Alexa. I didn’t know what way you would react.”
“I may not have reacted the way you wanted me to, but at least I would have been prepared.”
“You’re angry with me, and I completely understand. But I kept your stepdad’s involvement with crime hidden to protect you. I didn’t want you to live in fear, always looking over your shoulder.”
My chest tightens, and a sharp, frustrated exhale escapes my lips.
It wasn’t to protect me. It was for her own selfish reasons.
She continues. “I wanted you to have as normal of a life as possible. I couldn’t have my baby walking around, afraid of her own shadow.”
“And you thought keeping me in the dark was better?”
