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His eyes shone. “Hello, Mom. It’s Jonas.”
My heart constricted as I found his voice so similar to that of a child.
Her face contorted into a snarl. “Get the hell out of here, Mathias,” she gritted. “I don’t want you here. I don’t want to ever see you again. I told you, I don’t love you. I’m in love with Shaun. We’re leaving you andyourson.”
My heart tumbled to the floor as I looked at Jonas. His head fell forward. I rushed over and grabbed his hand. I tugged his arm as Brenda eased over to Joselyn, blocking her view of Jonas, as she attempted to soothe her.
“Now, Joselyn. You know that’s not Mathias. That’s your son, Jonas.”
“Tell Shaun he came back here,” she demanded. “Go back to your whores. Don’t come back here,” she yelled out.
Once we were outside his mother’s suite, I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist and rubbed his back.
“I’m fine,” Jonas assured me on his third try. I didn’t listen, just held on. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
He pressed his head against mine, and my heart wept for him.
“Oh, the prodigal son decides to come by.”
I turned and saw the older version of the young reddish-brown haired boy from the photos. His face had the similar handsome, chiseled structure to Jonas’s, but that was where the similarities ended. His navy suit was tailored, though he was stocky and at least a foot shorter than Jonas, whom I thought was at least six foot one. His eyes, which were similar in color to his mother’s brown eyes, were squinting at us. His mouth twisted in a grimace.
“My brother, Vincent,” Jonas announced. He released me and straightened. “We are finished with our visit.”
“Can’t handle a little bit of reality?” Vincent asked.
Jonas started moving us past him when he grabbed his arm.
“Run away and leave the real work behind. Leave your poor, sick mother,” Vincent sneered.
“Release him,” I hissed.
His anger shifted to me, but he let Jonas go, and stepped back.
“She was cruel to him, and hysterical,” I said. “He had to leave so she would calm down.”
“She wouldn’t be that way if he came around more often,” Vincent started up again. “Instead, he avoids her all the time—”
“I don’t recall Jonas mentioning your extensive study in dementia. You’re a doctor? Scientist? I didn’t know you studied brain chemistry. Or are you some kind of healer? Give us a cure, you self-righteous jerk,” I said between clenched teeth.
Vincent’s eyes widened and he stood there stunned for a few seconds as his hand slipped off Jonas. His face reddened.
“Who the hell are you to tell me…?”
I jutted my chin. “I just did.”
I turned to Jonas and his mouth opened. “This is Lily.”
I held out my hand and he took it, though I think we both knew there was nothing pleasant about this shake. We then walked over to the elevator and I pressed the button.
“We’re leaving,” I said.
Once we were inside, I deflated. I didn’t know what had come over me. I just couldn’t stand by and watch him crush Jonas’s spirit. All I knew was that I wanted to stop his pain.
My cheeks warmed in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what had come over me.”
A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. “That was the best visit I’ve had in years. Thank you, little tiger. Or should I say lioness?”
I smirked, but didn’t say anything. He was right. I did feel extra protective of him. He tucked me against his side and we walked together out of the building, my thoughts as certain as my heart. Jonas Crane belonged to me.
