Page 105 of Caged

I wasn’t about to rehash the ordeal in front of my mom.

Not because I thought she was soft or fragile; she wasn’t. She was tough as fuck, especially when her Mama Bear instincts kicked in. But she didn’t need to hear the details, not when I could still see the fear and stress in her eyes.

She hugged my father, who kissed the top of her head before pulling back and tipping her face up. “How are you holding up?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking our son that?” she corrected him with her question.

“I asked you, but if it’ll make you feel better, Jay, how are you holding up?”

“I’m fine, Dad. How’s Cate?” I wasn’t in the mood for games. “Can I see her?”

“She’s awake, and doing well. Her father’s with her. I think it’s best if you give them more time.”

Not what I wanted to hear.I need to see her. Talk to her. Ignoring my father’s suggestion, I headed towards the door. Before I could knock, he grabbed my arm. “Son, that’s not a good idea. They need time together and you barging in there will complicate things.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I huffed at him. Shockingly, my mom didn’t correct my choice of words when she put her hand on my arm to offer comfort.

“It means now isn’t the time to tell her how you feel,” he answered. His voice was calm, but his expression made it clear he was issuing an order.

Dumping my feelings wasn’t on the agenda. I’d already done that, when she was unconscious, like a fucking coward. I didn’t plan on doing it again, especially in front of her father.

I lowered my voice, practically begging, “I need to see her, Dad.” Now that she was awake, I needed to hear her say she was okay, because the image of blood staining her shirt refused to leave my mind.

“I promise you, she’s okay,” he offered.

It wasn’t enough. I opened my mouth to argue but one look at my father and I knew there was nothing I could say tochange his mind. The devil on my shoulder told me to fight, the angel told me to choose my battles carefully.

I listened to the angel. Gripping the back of my neck, I said, “Fine. I’ll come back after lunch.”

Sympathy radiated off my mom as my father shook his head. “Give them today.”

Why?Had her father told mine to keep me away?

He added, “I’ll call General Maxwell and figure out a good time for you to visit. Tomorrow.”

So the General was calling the shots.Does he blame me? Is that why he won’t let me see Cate?Not that I could blame him, I should have done more to protect her.

Which explained why I was so desperate to see her. If she could tell me she was okay, maybe I could let go of some of the guilt.

Going against the need I felt in every cell of my body, I nodded.

“Let’s grab some lunch,” my dad offered.

During lunch, Ma told me everyone was coming over for a family dinner. Her less-than-subtle hint that she expected me to be there was unnecessary.

“I planned a video chat with Madi, she’s worried about you,” Ma added.

“Why?” I found it hard to believe anyone would’ve told her I was missing in action.

“Why?” she asked, incredulously. “Because your big sister loves you and you were missing for four days.” Her voice went up an octave or two.

I was wrong. “You told her?” I asked, knowing it was a stupid question since she obviously had. Not wanting to start an argument, I joked, “What, didn’t you trust Dad to find me?” I laughed as I reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

Dad’s eyes sparkled, the only hint at his humor.

“I. He.” She laughed, “Don’t turn this on me.”

“Because I trusted him, one hundred percent.” I picked up my water and held it up in salute. “Thanks, Dad.”

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