Page 136 of Forged in Rain

I messaged Pam, although my skin crawled, and informed her of the story should the police question her. She hasn’t answered me, but I have no doubt she’ll come around when Iris doesn’t come home.

I didn’t mention John, so she only knows what I told the police.

Cyn contacted Hate, who made arrangements with McCafferty, and Dad’s body should be gone before the police arrive.

I have to focus on the present right now, but when this is over, I will be laying him to rest in the manner he deserves. Although, I may owe McCafferty more favors before it’s over with. Thankfully, he seemed amenable, and Cyn relayed the real story while I sat by my mom’s bed, holding her hand.

Since I’m eighteen, I convinced the authorities to allow Joey to stay with me. It took some major coaxing, but he finally went home with Jig, but only with promises that I’d be right behind him. Cyn went off to bring the car around, and I’m pulling my tired ass body from the chair when Pam appears at the door.

Her dark eyes flash when she sees my mom lying in the bed before she turns to me and says, “Rain.”

“Yeah,” I croak, stepping in front of the bed warily. I’d like to think she wouldn’t hurt my mom, but I just don’t know anymore. It’s up to me to protect what I love now.

She frowns at my maneuver but doesn’t comment. “What happened?”

“The boogeyman. That’s what happened,” I rasp.

She cocks her head to the side. “Where’s your dad?”

Shrugging, I say, “I don’t know.”

It’s shitty, but I can’t even tell her this. Much like with Iris, I don’t know what is the truth when it comes to her, but I suspect much of her motivation is directly tied to the photos of her in John’s house of horrors.

As long as John is alive, he could very easily bring her down. What annoys me is she’s so caught up in saving her own ass, she’s forgotten that Iris matters too. But it’s too late now. Iris is gone. My dad is gone. My mother may very well die, and Pam is still worried about herself.

“I haven’t been able to reach him,” she says, worrying her lip.

I chuff but don’t comment, and her eyes narrow speculatively. “I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

“You can’t help me at all,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Rain, whatever you think of me. I just want us all to be safe,” she insists.

With hate burning in my soul, I step into her and hiss, “No, you’re worried those pictures will see the light of day.”

“What pictures?” she growls, grabbing my arm.

Wrenching away, I clench my hand into a fist because I don’t want to disturb my mom, but if we were anywhere else? Game fucking on.

Instead, I sneer, “You know what I’m talking about.”

“Do you have them?” She searches behind me like I’d leave them lying around in a fucking hospital.

“I have one, and it’s bad enough. I don’t want more. You’re fucked,” I say succinctly, and she rears back.

“No, McCafferty—”

“You’re also fucking crazy. You think you can waltz in and kill a man who has more power in his pinky than you have in all your threats and crazy plans?”

“I need those pictures, Rain. If you have them, hand them over. I won’t be mad. I’ll even tell your dad and you can go home,” she says.

“Excuse me?” I whisper.

She flinches and looks away. “I wouldn’t let your dad take you. You have to understand, until we find John, I couldn’t take away what he wanted.”

“Me?” I huff, poking her in the chest. “You were willing to use me as bait?”

“Stop,” she says through clenched teeth. “You don’t understand. What he has can ruin lives. Our lives.”

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