Page 25 of Royally Bad

“I—what?”

“You’re into her anyway. If you really think she’s not the mole, not connected to the Deep Shots or anyone after us, then keep an eye on her. Find out for sure.”

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. I wished I’d asked for a drink from Scotch. “All right. If you think it’s best.”

He gave me a knowing smirk. “As if you wouldn’t have done it anyway. You act like you aren’t incredibly obvious, Kain.”

“Isn’t that what makes me so likable?” Reaching down, I gripped his hand and gave a firm shake. “Be safe, Thorne.”

“Look around,” he said, grinning. “I’m surrounded by soft things. What’s safer?”

Weaving back through the growing crowd—it always got busier as night came on—I nodded at the bouncers as I exited. The cool air ate away the stripper-ass smell, but it would take a few minutes for the music to leave my ears.

She told me to leave her alone.I couldn’t. I didn’t want to anyway, but ...

Now I had no choice.

Will she understand?There was a good chance this would push a bigger wall between Sammy and me. I’d have to take that chance, because the other option meant I’d never talk to her again. Never hold her ... and never kiss her.

My bike was waiting for me.

On one side of the handlebars, her shoes sparkled.

- CHAPTER SEVEN -

SAMMY

Though I knocked first, my key was already clicking in the lock. “Mom?” Pushing into the tiny apartment, I looked around. “It’s me!”

I would have lived with her if she’d allowed me. Her place was too small for the both of us, but I’d have done it. As weak as my mom was, though, she was eternally proud.

“Samantha!” she said, leaning her head around the corner of the bathroom. “You’re finally here!” Her attention went to my bare feet and my frazzled hair and dress. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“Me? Areyouokay?” Dropping my purse, I hurried toward her. I’d come as fast as I could, not even bothering to change clothes. Opening the door, I saw that she was sitting naked in the tub. “Did you fall?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Chuckling in her throat, she covered herself. “Just a little slip during my shower. I turned the water off.”

“How long have you been stuck in here?” Her eyes met mine, then moved away. “Oh, Mom. I’m so sorry.” Yanking down a towel, I wrapped her in it, then helped her stand, guiding her over the lip of the tub.

She put her weight on me just as long as she had to. Then she let go, hugging the towel tight. “Did you go to a wedding or something?”

“I ... did, actually. It’s a long story. Did you eat?” I didn’t let her answer, I just headed into the kitchen while she walked into her room to get clothed. Shouting, I said, “You must have missed your medicine this afternoon, too. I’ll get it all set for you.”

She came out in a long white shirt and loose tan pants. “Honey, I can do all that.”

I’d learned every smidge of pride I had from her. It was hard for her to stand by as I served her up a ham sandwich, her pills rolling in a tiny cup. “It’s nothing. Sit, eat, relax. I’m really sorry I didn’t come by this morning.”

Settling onto her tiny excuse for a couch, she took a bite of food. Her mouthful—her silence—told me more about how hungry she was than she’d wanted to say. Guilt burned through my veins.

Swallowing the pills, she chased it all with water. “Your long story. Go on.”

“Uh ... oh.”I can’t tell her I got arrested. She’d be mortified, and her poor heart ...“An old friend called me up last minute. She needed me to stand in at her wedding, it just took longer than I expected. Again, sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.” Waving her skinny fingers, she smiled in a way that made her look younger. “Weddings are fun. And a good way to meet boys,” she said, winking.

Laughing, I shook my head furiously. “Last thing I need is a ‘boy’ in my life.”Kain is no boy. He’s almost more than a man.Shifting where I stood, I looked at the floor.

“Oh-ho,” she said slyly. “You met someone. Was he hot?”

---