Page 101 of The Sweetest Revenge

"Or maybe she paid him."

"Do you think she was responsible for his overdose?" Journey leaned in, her breath fogging between us. "Because that seems like a bit of a stretch, even for your mom."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, eyes closed. "Maybe he really did overdose."

Journey's hand landed on my shoulder, gentle but insistent. "So, what are you going to do?"

"If Zaiden finds out it was actually my mom?—"

My voice died as I watched him on the ice—the weight of unspoken words pressed against my chest.

A defender lunged. Zaiden slammed into him—no hesitation, no mercy. The player sprawled across the ice, a tangle of limbs and wounded pride.

He was a beast on and off the ice.

Another skater approached from behind. In one fluid motion, Zaiden pivoted, his body a weapon of calculated precision. My stomach tightened as #45 Hawk clutched empty air where Zaiden had been just a heartbeat before.

I remembered the look in Zaiden's eyes when he talked about Kacie, his little sister, his responsibility. The rage that simmered beneath his careful control.

"He'll probably kill her," I whispered, the truth of it hollowing me out.

Their eyes widened. "How do you feel about all this?" Journey asked.

"You know she's left me questioning everything about who she is this last year, but this—" I shook my head as I swallowed back the tears threatening to fall. The cold air burned my lungs with each breath. "This is insane that she would kill?—"

"Wait." Mila cut me off, her voice sharp enough to slice through the chill.

The arena seemed to grow quieter as if the very air was listening.

"What if Zaiden's dad was part of it?"

I narrowed my eyes, the implication hitting me like a body check. My gaze drifted to Zaiden on the ice, to the embroidered name on his jersey. The same name that opened doors all over town.

"Zaiden's dad has the power and money to influence a cop to brush something under the rug."

"Why would he—" My voice trailed off as I realized maybe he wanted Anne dead too, then immediately shook it off. "He knew they switched Kacie's car that night. He would have known that he was cutting the breaks to the car Kacie was going to drive. He's a lot of things, but Kacie was his little girl. He wouldn't hurt her on purpose."

Mila tapped her fingernails against the metal bleacher. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"I think I need to confront my mom." The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "Ask her why she had Kacie's phone."

Journey's eyebrows shot up. "You really think she'll tell you the truth?"

I tugged at a loose thread on Zaiden's jacket sleeve. "I can tell when she's lying." A chill that had nothing to do with the rink crawled up my spine. "But I can't take Zaiden with me. He won't let me out of his sight because of everything going on."

"You probably shouldn't go by yourself." Journey twisted her scarf tighter around her neck, her eyes never leaving mine.

"My mom wouldn't hurt me." I swallowed hard. "Or at least I don't think she will. Especially if she knows I have no proof." I glanced between my friends. "You two can ride with me. Wait outside in case I need you."

Mila exchanged a look with Journey before leaning forward. "Okay."

"Zaiden has early practice every day this week. I need to convince him to leave me at his mom's one morning."

Mila's forehead creased. "His moms?"

"Oh, yeah." I raised my brows, realizing I'd forgotten part of the story. "We are staying at his mom's for now because he doesn't think it's safe to stay at his dad's."

Mila nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Probably a good idea." She drummed her fingers against her thighs. "So what's the plan then?"

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