Page 14 of Deadly Little Hearts

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly.“Nah, I got shit to do, but enjoy.See you soon, Freya.”

When he leaves, my mother frowns.“Weren’t you supposed to be gone for the night?”

“Change of plans.”

She watches me closely, her eyes narrowing, then she looks back at Kai walking away.“When did he grow up into a man?Damn, he’s fine.”

I roll my eyes and follow her inside, grabbing Hazen’s helmet on the way.I just hope the guys take what I put on the table about compromise seriously.It’s what we need, and hopefully, it’ll stop this war.The Brotherhood has done nothing but fuck over me, my family, and friends, but now I have an opportunity to make changes.With the guys taking over, it’s time to start fresh—to not have so much of a divide between our worlds.

The smell of curry wafts from the kitchen, and my tummy rumbles, but I don’t think I can stomach anything.I grab a cup of water and head straight for my bedroom.

“Where are you going?”Mom’s voice echoes down the small hallway.

I turn my hand on my door handle.“Around,” I say, and she shakes her head.

“You can’t just come and go whenever you want.”

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep the peace.I go to push my door open but stop when she continues.

“I need to know where you are at all times if you want to stay under my roof.”Her words feel like nails against a chalkboard.She’s threatening me now?She’s made so much progress this past week, and I love her, but I need a break.Why is she on me when just I need some time alone?

“Since when do you care?”I snap, and her face falls.Maybe I should feel guilty for snapping at her.She’s trying, I know, but it doesn’t make up for the past fifteen years.

“I’m trying to be better, Freya.But I need to be around people.It helps distract me.I’m glad you came back early.”

My chest tightens until I’m sure it’s going to explode.“I know you’re trying, Mom, and it’s really good.Just give me some time to myself, please.A lot’s going on with me right now, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

Her face falls.

“Maybe I will soon,” I offer, and that’s the best I can do.

She nods, taking the crumbs I’m leaving with grace.“I’ll bring you a plate.”She disappears back into the kitchen, and I shut my bedroom door behind me before falling backward onto my bed.

When my phone vibrates against my leg, I pull it out, finding a text from Hazen, and I sit up, leaning back on my elbows.

Hazen: Meeting tomorrow with The Brotherhood.Be here at 7:30pm to discuss next steps for your proposal.

He pin drops a restaurant in Daringville called Luciano, and hope blossoms.Are they actually open to discussing my offer for the Hood?Holy shit—this is huge.

The next day passes in a blur as I take another shift at the diner.By the time it finishes, my legs are on fire, and I crash for a few hours, eager for rest before my meeting with The Brotherhood.

My head has barely touched the pillow when my bedroom door flies open, and I jump up off my bed.Amirah stands in my doorway, carrying a large bag over her shoulder.

“What the hell?Warn a girl before you storm in without notice.I could have been busy,” I grumble, and she rolls her eyes.

“Oh, please.The only thing you would have been busy with is your own fingers strumming yourself like a bass guitar.”

I laugh.“Seriously, what are you doing here?”

“Rescuing you, of course.”She drops her bag to the ground and unzips it.“I hear there’s a board meeting with The Brotherhood and you’re invited.I can’t leave my best friend looking unprofessional in her ripped jeans and old tees, now, can I?”She raises her eyebrows and I smile.She’s always got my back—and I am so lucky to have her.

“Show me what you’ve got.”

“Heads up—your mom’s cooking up a storm out there and insisted that I stay for dinner.She’s really trying, isn’t she?”She pulls out a gray blazer, a black leather skirt, and a white turtleneck.

“Yeah, she is.I hope it lasts.”

“Try these on.”She throws them onto my bed, and I change out of my work clothes and into Amirah’s.

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