Page 52 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

“He’s in an induced coma right now, but the doctors are confident he’ll pull through,” I reply, deliberately avoiding her first question. “So, can I speak to Max?” I say impatiently.

“I don’t know… The social workers said not to distress him in any way…” she says hesitantly.

“For god's sake Jess, he’s my son, and he should know that his uncle is in the hospital,” I snap, losing my patience.

“Fine, but try not to upset him,” she replies haughtily, irritating me further.

I’m his mother. She doesn’t need to tell me not to upset my son. I have to bite my tongue, not wanting to piss her off and stop her from handing the phone over, so instead I say, “Thank you.”

“Mommy!” I hear Max’s happy voice on the other end of the line, and I feel so relieved that he’s happy and safe that I have to sit down.

“Hi, Sweetheart, how are you?” I ask, getting a little choked up.

I smile as he launches into a long-winded ramble about everything that’s captured his imagination since we last spoke.His voice is a balm for my troubled soul, and I close my eyes, allowing his innocence to soothe me, just for a little while.

“When can I come home, Mommy?” he asks.

“Soon, Maxie, real soon. Your Uncle Jacob’s had an accident, and he needs Mommy to look after him for a while. So, I need you to keep being a good boy for Auntie Jess. Can you do that for me?” I say gently.

“Yes, Mommy. Is Uncle Jacob going to go to heaven like Daddy?” he asks timidly.

I clutch the phone to my ear as my heart breaks a little for my brave little boy.

“No. Uncle Jacob will be just fine, don’t you worry. Okay?”

“Okay, Mommy,” he agrees, his childlike faith in me complete. “Auntie Jess says I have to go now.”

“Alright, Sweetheart. Mommy loves you,” I reply, trying to hide my frustration that Jess won’t allow me to speak for longer.

“I love you too, Mommy,” he replies sweetly before Jess comes back on the line.

“Hi, Emma, I’m sorry, I realized that I didn’t even ask how you’re feeling with Jacob in the hospital,” she says sounding chagrined.

“I’m doing okay, thanks Jess,” I reply wearily.

“Look, I know it’s not a good time, and I haven’t told the social workers, but I need you to trust me with Max and tellwhoever it is that’s been watching the house to leave. They’re scaring the kids.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, thinking of Bess’ associate who’s been passing by.

“Just because they’re not bikers covered in tattoos doesn’t mean that these spy-looking guys in suits are any less conspicuous, Em,” she says dryly.

“Guys? As in more than one?” I ask, panicked.

“Well, it’s hard to tell they all look the same, but yes. I assume you hired some private security firm? Frankly, I’m a little insulted—”

I interrupt her. “Jess. I didn’t send those men. Are they there now?”

“What do you mean you didn’t—”

“Jess, are they there now?” I ask again forcibly.

I can hear the sounds of her moving around in the house to go look out of the window. “Yes, there’s a black sedan car outside, just down the road, I can’t see very clearly as the back windows are tinted but I think there are two men inside,” she says, her voice now more panicked.

“Alright, lock the doors and windows and stay where you are, don’t answer the door to anyone other than me, do you understand?” I say, trying to remain calm.

“Emma, what’s going on?” she says sounding confused and scared.

“I don’t have time to explain Jess, just please do as I ask, you and the kids might be in danger. I’ll be there as soon as I can, just sit tight.”

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