“She doesn’t leave your sight, understand?There’s somethingI need to take care of.”
I call Sam and Brad, put them back on duty, and then changeout of my wet uniform before I jump in my truck.First, I need to deal withMother.When I arrive at the house, she’s sitting on the couch, Charlie andBrick standing on either side of her.My father and brothers are standing in ahuddle, trying to figure out what’s happening.
“Ethan, what the hell is going on?”Dad asks.
“That’s what I’m here to find out, Dad.”
“They’ve been treating your mother like a criminal!”
“On my orders.”
The closer I get to her, the more my anger rises.She’ssitting there like a queen on her throne, regarding me like a bothersomepeasant.
“Mother.”
“What is this about, Ethan?”
“You know what it is about.I’m giving you one chance tocome clean.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“Son—”
“Stay out of it, Dad!”I growl.
He steps back at my angry tone, but my brothers stepforward.Anger boils in my blood as I look at her.My body shakes with it.
“You need to calm down.I.Am.Your.Mother.”
“Which is exactly why I’m livid!”
I grab her wrist and, for the first time tonight, she seemsscared.If this is the way she wants to do it then so be it.
Tell me what you did to Casey!
Her head jerks back with the force of the push and multiplehands begin pulling me away from her.I pace the room angrily, ignoring thepleas from my family for me to tell them what’s going on.It takes her a fewminutes to recover.When she does, her regal air returns.I pull up a chair,turn it backward, and sit facing her.
“Let’s start with the barbecue.”
When she starts talking, Dad and my brothers sink into theother couch.
“Well,” she begins, “after seeing the way you were with her,I decided I had to do something.For God’s sake, you looked like you were aboutto propose to her right then and there.I simply pulled her aside and made hersee that you are too good for her and that it was in her best interest to stayaway from you.”
“How did you do that?”
“I threatened her life,” she says matter-of-factly.
The chair clatters to the floor as I jump to my feet.Michael and Josh are instantly at my side, restraining me.The lack of remorsein her confession makes me wonder who this person is.She couldn’t be mymother.
“Helena, how could you?”Dad asks.
“You stood by and did nothing, Victor.I had to protect ourson.”She turns to me, contempt written on her face.“I have to admit, I didn’texpect her to, but she kept up her end.It wasyou.You just wouldn’tleave it alone, constantly running back to the little tramp.”
This time, it takes all my brothers and my Dad to hold meback.I don’t even see her anymore; all I see is rage.She’s so cocky that myreaction doesn’t even bother her.
“When you began courting Shae, I thought it was all over.Even told the human myself how well things were going.But then I touched her hand,and I felt it, the presence.I knew she was pregnant.”
