Mom pressed her lips together and gave me the “mom stare” as she tilted her head. “You know if you need to talk I’m here right?”
I nodded, giving her a forced smile. “I know.” She went to move and stumbled slightly, catching herself on the counter.
“Mom!” I rushed to her, holding her arm. She turned her head toward me, blinking a couple of times. “You need to get in bed. I think you’re overdoing it.”
She shook her head. “I just tripped, that’s all.”
I didn’t feel good about this. Mom wanted to be up and moving too soon. I got she was tired of being in bed but she needed to work on building her strength up before moving around.
Eventually I convinced Mom to get back in bed and lay down. She looked like she could tumble over at any second.
“When do you go back to the doctor?”
“In a few days. My last checkup went well though, no need to pester me.”
“I’m your daughter. It’s my job to pester you.” I wagged my brows with a grin.
She snickered. “You are my child.” Mom lay back on her pillow and locked eyes on me. “Azeira, last time you were here and that Navarro man showed up, he kissed you. Are you two in a relationship?” It surprised me that she hadn’t mentioned it before today, but at the same time I was purposely avoiding the topic when I spoke with her. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. I guess I couldn’t avoid it forever.
“It’s complicated, Mom.” I sighed, resting my elbows on the bed.
She didn’t respond right away. Sympathy mixed with worry passed over her face. “Azeira, you know that man, who he is, right? He’s dangerous. The rumors about him…”
I nibbled on my bottom lip. “It’s not what it seems,” I defended. “He’s not that bad once you get to know him.”
Mom lowered her eyes and reached for my left hand, lifting it. My cheeks reddened, knowing she saw the tattoo boldly written on my finger. “What’s this then?”
“It’s a tattoo,” I squeaked, pulling my finger away and cuffing my hand. I was upset when Kairus first marked my finger, but oftentimes I found myself staring at it and the one on my stomach.
“You don’t just tattoo a random man’s last name on you if you don’t have feelings for him. What’s the real deal with you two?”
“I told you it’s complicated.”
That didn’t soothe her worries. “He’s known for killing people, Azeira.”
“I know but…” How could I explain it? To the public Kairus was a criminal, a menace to society, the villain. From a parent’spoint of view that couldn’t be assuring. “Do you know how I came to be with Kairus?” I questioned instead. I wasn’t even sure what was going on with Kairus and me so the last thing I wanted to do was speak about us.
“No.” Curiosity filled her eyes. “I wondered though.”
“Your mother needs to rest.” Dad’s voice sounded, interrupting the conversation. I twisted my neck to face him. There was an unpleasant look on his face as he watched us.
“I don’t need to rest. I feel fine.” I looked at Mom and she was frowning at him.
“You do need to rest, the doctor said so. Plus I need to speak with our daughter.” The way he looked at me made my stomach turn.
I forced a smile at my mom. “Go ahead and rest. I need to talk to Daddy anyways.” I stood and kissed her forehead.
Her eyes bounced between me and my dad. “You know one day you twoaregonna tell me what the hell is going on. I’m tired of feeling like I’m being left in the dark.” She didn’t wait for a reply. Instead she turned her back to us and pulled the cover over her.
I shot a glare at my dad; this was his fault.
We left my mom’s room and instead of going into his office we continued until we got to the living room. Dad didn’t even let me speak before he grabbed my hand and lifted it.
“You let that man brand you!” The veins in his neck bulged. I could tell he was attempting to keep quiet so Mom wouldn’t hear.
Snatching my hand away from him, I held it and glared at him. “What I do to my body isn’t your business.”
His nostrils flared and his face flushed red. “Watch how you speak to me! I don’t know what brainwashing that man did to you, but I won’t stand for it. You will get that tattoo removed and we’re moving on with our lives.”
