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We all agree to go home. After years of this life, I’ve learned that I have to leave work behind when I walk out the door. We closed another case, and for today, it’s got to be enough.
NINETEEN
Family Dinner
SABRINA
“Who’s that?” I ask Alex. A beautiful, more mature lady is walking toward our front door. Alex turns his head toward the front window and sees the woman coming toward us. Damian and Chloe are trying to catch up with her. Oh my goodness, it’s Sandra, Damian’s mother. I’ve met her a couple of times, and she’s been super sweet. I know that Chloe adores her.
“Holy shit!” Alex exclaims. That’s not the reaction I was hoping for. He grabs his cell. “I put it on silent.”
“You’re scaring me,” I say at the same time that the doorbell rings.
He grabs me by the hand and tugs me along with him to answer the door, tucking me against his side and holding me tightly.
“It’s cool, baby,” he tells me, and opens the door. Immediately, Chloe mouths,Sorry. Damian looks at the heavens and takes a breath.
“Hey, Mama S, this is a surprise,” Alex greets her graciously, still holding on to me with a firm hand.
“That’s what you’ve got to say for yourself?” The petite, toe-tapping woman glares at Alex. When she looks my way, she says, “Hello, darling. So good to see you again,” in a warm tone. Even with Alex’s arm around my waist, Sandra leans in and kisses my cheek.
“Hi, Mrs. Locke. This is a wonderful surprise,” I reply.
“It seems that this is the only way I’m going to find out that Alex has a woman in his life,” Sandra says, locking eyes with Alex.
“Come on, Mama S, I know for a fact that Damian and Chloe have kept you in the loop.” Alex wraps his free arm around Sandra’s shoulders and walks us both into the house.
“You’re like my own son, and I would have liked to have heard this fromyou.” She stabs a finger into his massive chest. Her blue eyes sad, she goes on to say, “I promised my Kevin that I would keep you close, and you have a wonderful woman in your life, you’re living together, and you don’t tell me. I’m hurt, Alex. Very hurt.”
A pang of angst hits my belly. She cares so much about Alex, and she feels left out. I want to make it better. “It’s my fault,” I tell her, shaking my head. “I— We—uh, well, it was a rocky start. Alex came when I called him one night. I was terrified, and I wasn’t in a good place. Alex was giving me time to adjust. It’s been one dramatic event after the next lately. It’s my fault. Please don’t be upset with him.” I try to explain, but I know I’m not being as clear as I hoped I would be.
Sandra envelops me in her arms, hugging me. “It’s all right, darling. It’s going to be all right,” she murmurs in my ear. I slowly hug her back, then she moves us over to the sofa and sits with me and Chloe. “Do you want to tell me about it?” she asks.
I look at Damian, and he gives me a warm smile. “She’s a great listener, Bri. But it’s up to you if you want to share.”
“Absolutely. If you’re not ready, then we won’t speak another word and just sit and have coffee,” Sandra says, clasping my hand in hers.
“I made a mistake and trusted a man I shouldn’t have. I ended up a prisoner in his home until I escaped. I’d been on the run for a long time. A while back, he found me, and Damian and Alex caught him and put him away. I thought I was over it, but I’m not. I was getting help, but one day, I went out the back alley of the clinic to throw out the trash, and there was a man beaten nearly to death lying there. Then there was the kidnapping and being tossed from a car, and…” My voice tapers off, my chest heaving with emotion. Sandra’s eyes go wide in disbelief.
“Stay right here, darling,” she says softly. She stands, and points at Alex and Damian. “You two, in the kitchen. Now.”
“Sandra!” I say. “This is my mess.”
“There is no mess. In our family, we support one another. Not to worry, I just want an update from the boys,” she says calmly, placating me.
After they walk away, I face Chloe. “What have I done?”
“That’s the way Sandra is. She’s asked about you several times. She truly cares about you. Well, she cares about all of us. Those men”—she points to the other room—“are damn lucky to have her. Damian may be her biological son, but Alex, Caleb, and Zeke, they’re hers too. Mind you, Caleb’s mom is just as possessive and territorial. When Damian told Sandra that Alex was in love, she nearly jumped through the roof with joy. Sandra came to tease Alex, but it seems that now she needs to know that they’re handling you with care.”
“She doesn’t even know me.”
“She doesn’t need to. It’s enough that Alex loves you.”
Sandra returns, and I search for Damian and Alex. “Where did they go?”
“It’s a pinot grigio night. I need a little wine. They’ll be out in a minute.” She smiles. “Let’s talk wedding, shall we?”
And just like that, we’re laughing. Most of the wedding plans are well under control. Chloe’s mom and sister, as well as Sandra, have it down to the most infinitesimal detail. With the wedding only a month away, and all going as it should, it’s really about the wine.
