Page 34 of All Tied Up
“Yes?” I finally replied when she said nothing more.
Her eyes flickered with unease, and then they narrowed. Her expression took on an edge. She looked fierce, and whatever had caused her anger was directed at me.
When had I pissed off someone’s grandmother?
“Where is my Arden?” she demanded with a sharper tone than before.
It was then that I realized what I’d found familiar … Arden’s eyes. This was his mother. He’d never even shown me a photo of his parents, but I could see it. Even her glare was like his.
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly.
I wasn’t about to tell her my theory of the mob. If he had left willingly, then he was an even bigger asshole than I’d realized. I’d heard that his parents didn’t believe he would just leave and were looking for him. But until now, I hadn’t thought too deeply about it. I’d been wrapped up in my own problems.
It was obvious his mother was hurting and desperate for answers. But I didn’t have any answers. For her or me.
“I don’t believe you,” she snapped. “You were engaged. The PII hired found that out. Arden never told us about you.” She said it as if that were my fault. Her son had kept us a secret for his reasons, not mine. “Why is that? What was it that he had to be ashamed of about you?”
That didn’t sting. I knew her words were those of a mother in pain and she was lashing out, but nothing she said to me would actually do any damage. Arden hadn’t held that power over me.
“He didn’t tell anyone,” I said. And that was the truth.
How the PI had found out, I didn’t know. It was clearly a very good one. Maybe he could locate Arden. I hoped so, for his mother’s sake.
She pointed a finger at me accusingly. “He didn’t want to tell people.” She seethed as if she knew some secret I was keeping. “That made you retaliate! He hurt you, and you are a spoiled diva who expects to get her way. He didn’t give you what you wanted, and you got rid of him! I know you did this!”
That was entirely more energy and planning than I’d ever put into anything with Arden. She wasn’t going to find him on that path. I’d had nothing to do with his disappearance. I started to shake my head when the door to my apartment building opened, and Wayne—one of three security guards who alternated working the front entrance—stepped outside. He was older, possibly sixty, but built like a linebacker with broad shoulders. His slick, bald head made him appear more intimidating than he actually was.
“Is there a problem, Ms. Romeo?” he asked me, his gaze flickering from me to the other woman, then back again.
The woman’s jaw was jutted out, and her hands were clasped tightly, pressing close to her stomach. I felt bad for her. No mother should be put through this.
“Uh, no,” I said to Wayne, trying to attempt a reassuring smile.
He looked back at the other woman. “Doesn’t seem very friendly out here,” he drawled, turning his gaze back to me.
Did he think I needed protecting from a woman more than twice my age?
Come on, Wayne. She’s not about to tackle me to the ground or take my purse and run.
“You know something. And my PI is suddenly missing. I don’t care how much money those trashy books of yours has made you.” She raised her eyebrows at me with an air of haughtiness. “I will find out what you’ve done! You will pay!” Her voice rose enough to draw attention from others passing by on the street.
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but stopped before I did. She didn’t want to hear my truth. She needed a lead to her son, and believing I was it was all she had to cling to. When I said nothing more, Wayne stepped between us to block her view of me. I looked from him, then leaned to the side slightly to see her spin around and stalk away.
“She don’t seem real sane, Ms. Romeo,” Wayne said, drawing my attention back to him.
“Her son left town with nothing but a note. She’s upset, and she wants answers,” I explained.
His brows drew together. “Not an excuse,” he said with a shake of his head. “No need to go taking it out on you. You’ve not done a thing.”
I smiled at Wayne, although I didn’t feel like it. The interaction had bothered me, but I didn’t want him to know that.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I reassured him. “His leaving was odd and hard to believe for everyone. It wasn’t like him. I’m the only lead she thinks she has.” And I did feel bad for her.
“Might be best if you came on back inside for now,” he suggested.
“No,” I said. I had to get out. “I need the fresh air and some time to think about my words before going back up to work.”
He crinkled his nose and looked around. “There isn’t anything real fresh about this air,” he pointed out, causing a small laugh tobubble out of me. He was right, of course.
