Page 71 of Savage Throne
Then her voice came through, softer, sweeter, like sunlight cracking through a storm. “They’re there with you now? All of them?”
“Yes. Do you want to talk to them?”
A small sound escaped her breath of relief. “Please.”
“Everyone, Moni is on the phone.” I hit the speaker button. Immediately, the room filled with the sound of life.
“Moni!” TT’s voice was the first, bright and relieved. “I love you! We’re fine! You’ve got this!”
Moni broke down on the other side. It was the sound of laughter and sobbing all mixed together.
Oh, baby. What did he do? What did that fucking sick bastard do?
“Moni!” Chloe joined in, practically vibrating with excitement. “We’re in the Palace! Queen energy! Are you okay? I miss you so much.”
“I’m fine.” Moni sniffled. “I love you too. Enjoy the Palace!”
Jo stood there for a second, frozen, her face crumpling as tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away fast, as if embarrassed by the display but the emotion lingered in her expression.
Moni spoke, “Is Jo there? Can she hear me? Jo?”
I brought the phone closer to her.
Jo’s voice was thick with emotion. “When are you getting back? Your man is losing it.
A sad chuckle left Moni. “I’ll be back soon, sis. Take care of him for me. Please.”
“I got you.”
“Thank you.”
“We love you, Moni.” Jo hugged herself. “Are you okay? Please, tell me he didn’t hurt you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine. You sound broken.”
“No. I’m fine. Trust me and I love you guys too.”
And for a moment, I could almost believe everything was fine.
Almost.
But I heard it—beneath the love, beneath the relief, there was exhaustion in her voice and this weight of sorrow that she couldn’t hide.
Whatever my father was putting her through, she was surviving it.
She wasn’t broken.
Not yet.
But she was carrying more than she should have to.
“You girls need to head to bed. It’s super late,” Moni told them gently. “Really late in fact. Go to sleep, okay? I’m fine. I’ve got this. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Jo bit her lip, and her eyes still shimmered with unshed tears. “Cool. I’ll make sure they go to sleep.”
“I’ll even listen to Jo, Moni. At least tonight.” Chloe nodded furiously, as if trying to convince herself that everything would be okay.
