“What do you think?” She all but spat at me.
“I think you’ve been through something no mother should have to go through. And for that, I’m sorry. But I also think you’re taking it out on the wrong person. I’m not the enemy here.”
“Really? Because this never happened beforeyouturned up.”
“No, it didn’t. You’re right. It happened after I arrived, but it also happened after God knows how long of planning. This wasn’t something that happened overnight, and my arrival here was pure coincidence. This had been meticulously planned for possibly months before—”
“Dante told Crash that Callum only agreed to Macbeth’s plans because you were the bait. So, try again, Rachel. Try once more to tell me how you’re not responsible for the mess that is currently my family?”
“You’re grieving. As heartless as I may be, I’m not going to fight with a hurting mother. You need to find a way to process this that doesn’t include laying the blame at my feet. The mere fact that Callum was only onboardafterI came into Dante’s life shows you that Macbeth had presented the plan to them more than once. Think about that, Katherine. Also, think about what you’re saying, and, more importantly, who you’re saying it in front of.” I nodded my head towards Bee, sharpening my tone.
To my surprise, she sighed heavily and sat down next to me. “I’m sorry, Rachel. You’re right. I’m just trying to work out in my head how this has all happened. What was the breaking point? What drove my first-born son to run to our enemies and betra—”
“I think we’ve said enough,” I interrupted, getting to my feet. My phone buzzed with a message at that exact moment. “That’s the delivery guy. Why don’t you stay here with Bee, and I’ll go bring in dinner. Eat with us, Mama,” I offered, trying not to cringe at that name on my tongue. “It’ll do you good to be surrounded by family.”
“Thank you,” she said sadly. I hesitated as I went to place a comforting hand on her shoulder, before deciding it was toomuch and walked away, giving Bee a small wave as I went. I mouthed ‘be good’ to her, gave her one last smile, and walked through the door.
I knew Dante’s mother was hurting, but I was about at my limit. I couldn’t offer her comfort. I didn’tfeellike comforting her, if truth be told. I could almost understand why Macbeth had turned his back on his parents. He had everything taken from him and had to watch whilst it was handed to Dante.
That didn’t excuse him for betraying the club and his brothers, but I could understand why he might feel strained towards his parents.
Bee was right. Families were fucking complicated. And it didn’t get any easier the older you got.
“Hurry up,” Kitty said just before I was out of earshot. “The club is on a strict shoot on sight policy.”
Delightful people all round.
I walked towards the door, pulling out my phone as it pinged with another message, before I scowled down at the screen.
Are you planning on coming to collect this pizza or should I throw it on the ground?
I should just let this prick get shot!
I grabbed the door handle and yanked it open, letting it crash off the wall as I stormed out.
“Oi,” I shouted to the man in the car, who started to come out with the pizza. “What the fuck is with this message? You gave me thirty seconds after the arrival message before sending me this shit?” I waved my phone in his face.
“Listen, lady, I’ve got shit to do, and that doesn’t involve hanging around this fucking dump.”
“Who the fuck are you? Your entire job is to deliver fucking pizzas. Why are you so angry about it?”
“Ahh… You’re new,” he said, smirking down at me.
“Excuse me?”
“This place is blacklisted. I didn’t have to deliver the pizza at all, so be grateful I did.”
“So why did you, then?” I snapped. “You’re not the only takeout around here. Take your fucking pizza back and—”
“I take it you’re her replacement.”
“Are you speaking in riddles? I have no idea what you’re…” My words trailed off as I started to remember Shark telling me that Macbeth had once slept with the delivery guy’s daughter, causing Dante to punch him in the face when they couldn’t get pizza for poker night.
“Penny dropped, love?” He sneered at me.
“Okay, you’re going to have to take the attitude several fucking notches down. Whatever happened in the past has nothing to do with me. I just ordered the pizza. If you didn’t want to accept the order, you didn’t have to.”
“I saw the name on the account. I was interested who this Rachel was. You’re not a patch on my Megan.”
