Page 94 of Tattletale

Gabriel lets out a humorless chuckle. “It’s so ironic that it’s funny.”

“What’s ironic?”

“That Vienne would even bring up Aeon to you. Discretion is her preference.”

Confusion cloaks me at Gabriel’s bizarre statement. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m not the head of Aeon, Fiona.Vienne is.We get all our orders from her.”

TWENTY-SIX

LANCE

The morningafter Cricket and I reconciled in the alleyway—and by reconciled, I do mean fucked like two cats in heat—I’m laid out on my couch thinking about another woman, ironically enough. My mother. It’s been nearly ten years since I’ve seen her, and not by my choice.

Actually, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about decisions that have been made for me.

I’ve always been a soldier. A loyal sidekick, so to speak, even to bad men. I know I was just a boy, but I never stood up to my father like I should have. My brother was only a couple of years older than me, but he was brave enough to pull the trigger, not me. After that, I let Colt rule our family with tyranny. I went from never questioning Colt, to never once questioning Vesper’s command. I always did my part and trusted the ones who I assumed knew better.

That’s what lost me Cricket in the first place. I don’t regret stopping her from killing Luca, but the mistake I made was running to Vesper.

I should’ve stepped in—bound her wrists and threw her in my trunk, if necessary, all to ensure that Cricket stayed safe.From now on, I won’t count on anyone else to fight my battles. If Cricket and I are going to do this, she needs a man who stands on his own two feet, who can be her rock. After all, it’s only fair; she’s mine.

I grab my phone off the coffee table and dial before I can change my mind.

“Lance?” Vesper asks, like she’s confused about why I’m calling.

“Hey, V. I need to tell you something.”

I hear shuffling papers in the background. “I’m free. Just walk down here. Actually, I need to talk to you anyway about a situation in Dubai I want you and Linc to handle.”

I pull my phone from my ear and check the time.Whoops.Vesper thinks I’m at headquarters because I’m over an hour late. “Okay, actually two things I need to talk to you about. The first being, I’m going to be a little late to work today…”

“What’s a ‘little’ late?”

“I’ll mosey in after lunch.” She draws in an audible deep breath, and I know a lecture is coming. I quickly cut her off. “You know what? I’m drawing the line. It’s weird that you’re trying to have assassins on a nine-to-five schedule anyway. We don’t actuallyworkat work, Vesper.”

“It’s what separates us from hitmen for hire, Lance. We’re an organization, not mindless thugs.”

“Well, I’m putting my foot down. From now on I’m not wearing a suit in the office. I won’t be arriving until ten in the morning, and if there’s nothing to do, I’m going home early.”

“You done?” she asks.

“Yes.” I grin through the phone, amused by her agitation.

“Nice try, but wrong, wrong, and no to all of that. Get your ass to headquarters,now,Lancelot. Anything else you need?”

“I’m going to see my mom.”

“Lance, I—”

“End of story, Vesper. I’ve made up my mind. I know you think you’re protecting me, but you’re not. I need to see her and apologize for not taking better care of her. After the life she’s had, she deserves to know she’s loved.”

I know my mother won’t recognize me. The medication they have her on would be enough to cloud her mind, but she was already lost long before she was institutionalized.

“I was going to say I think that’s a good idea…and I’m sorry.”

Her response catches me off guard, so much so that we’re quiet for a long time. When I finally find the words to speak, I ask, “What changed your mind?”

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