Page 28 of Brandishing Betrayals

“She came back with her nine-year-old son.” I let that hang out there a moment, watching as my mother’s eyes light up.

“Nine-year-old?” she gasped.

I nodded slowly. “Marcos is the father. I mean they haven’t done a test, but he looks exactly like Marcos.”

Tears welled in my mother’s blue eyes as a bright smile lit up her face. “Oh, that’s wonderful news. And how is she? Single?”

I barked out a laugh, shaking my head. I continued walking toward the sunroom, tugging my mother along. “She is single, and we see Luke often—that’s his name, Lucas.”

“What a beautiful name. You have pictures, don’t you? You must show me immediately.”

As we sat down at the table in the sunroom overlooking the back gardens and pool, I pulled out my phone and dove into everything going on lately with Maya, Luke, and the guys. “Oh, Nico, they’re both beautiful.”

Nico

After a nice lunch of catching up and showing my mom a million pictures of Luke and Maya, I guided the conversation to my recent visit with my cousin Leonardo. My mother sighed and looked out at the backyard. “I wish you would have called me before visiting him.”

“Why?”

“Because the family isn’t happy with you, Nicolai, not that they weren’t before, but they tolerated you because your business dealings benefitted them. This mess with the MC’s is not good for the family.”

“How do you know of all of that?” I narrowed my eyes on her in shock.

“Because I still see Leonardo every week dear. Family dinner at his mother’s house.”

“Fuck.” I sighed. I had forgotten about the family dinners. They were every single Sunday, at Leonardo’s home parents’ home. His mother still hosted the large gathering, employing the help of several servants.

My mother pursed her lips at my use of crude language, but didn’t say anything this time around. “What did Leonardo have to say when you saw him?”

“He told me things were a done deal with the Knights. And to go see my mother.”

My mom smiled and shook her head, affection clear in her eyes.

“While he was right about that last part, he’s wrong about the Knights. It’s imperative that I speak to Leo. The Knights want out of the deal and the Psychos need help. I need help, mom,” I implored. “Maya is being threatened, and I’m pretty sure by Dax Hillcrest, the leader of Las Serpientes—”

Teresa hissed as she heard the name of the gang. They were notorious—but Teresa knew they had kidnapped Kara.

I pressed on. “The serpents are threatening Maya, it’s why she left us in the first place. She’s scared and won’t tell us everything. And I can’t kill him, because Kara is worried that it will somehow impede her father’s hearing. I could really use Leo’s help.”

Teresa was silent as she chewed on her bottom lip, lost in thought.

I waited, needing my mother to agree to help me.

“I suppose you want me to speak to Leonardo?”

“Please, mom. It would mean—”

Teresa shook her head, cutting me off immediately.

I waited, watching her warily.

“You’ve screwed up a lot with the family over the years, Nicolai,” she started, speaking softly, meeting my gaze with her own hard stare. “The family will require retribution.” She looked worried.

I swallowed thickly and nodded. “I understand. I’m willing to make amends.”

“Nicolai.” My mother sighed.

“Mom.” I reached for her hand, “I get that, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m begging you. Please, talk to Leo. I need this. Maya and Luke are in grave danger and we can’t help her.”

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