Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“I’m not worried about myself,” her father insisted. “Your mother and I can handle whatever comes our way.”
Her parents were badasses. Her dad was a former Navy SEAL and her mom had once been Army intelligence. They could still handle themselves, but they shouldn’t have to. “Dad, I think it’s for the best.”
“I will protect her,” Zach said gravely.
“Well, you’re the reason she’s being hunted by a fucking megalomaniac determined to bring the world down.” Her father had clearly had a lot of stimulation the last couple of days.
“Theo,” her mom said. “We talked about this. Why don’t both of the guys go and find something to do? I’d like to talk to Devi alone. Please, Theo. I know how you feel, but you need to remember what your brother said.”
Her dad took a long breath and then nodded. “All right. Devi, I love you. I want you to come home but… Well, I want you home and safe. I’ll talk to you the next time Zach allows it.”
“Not allowing anything. She’s not a prisoner.” Zach was shaking his head. “I will set this up whenever she needs to talk.”
She needed to channel her mom. She looked his way. “You should go check on dinner.”
He stood. “Okay, but I want to know about Kala and Coop. And honestly, all of them.”
He strode away and her dad was suddenly absent, though she was sure he would be somewhere listening in. Or not. Her dad was the best guy she knew, and he would honor her wishes and definitely her mom’s.
“How are you really, baby girl?”
She needed to get past all these tears. “I’m physically okay. The place Zach took me to is actually pretty cool. I have a pregnant cat neighbor, so I’ll have kittens soon.”
Her mom got that mom smile on her face, the one she had for the soft and young and weak of the world. “Aww, that’s sweet. Are you and Zach getting along?”
“I’m mad at him.”
“Of course you are, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a complex situation with complicated feelings. Anger can cloud things, but I know it’s there. I’m hoping you can take a deep breath and use this time to figure things out. Not only with Zach, but with your life.”
“I thought that’s what I was doing at home.” But even as she said the words she knew her mom was right.
“You’re drifting. You came home from college and wanted some time off and I was happy to give that to you, but it’s been a couple of years and I know you’re working on commissions and trying to find internships but…”
She knew where her mom was going. “It’s not what I wanted. I wanted my own line, but it’s hard. I guess I got caught up in life.”
“Working part time at McKay-Taggart or Top is not what you’re meant to do, baby.” Her mom sighed and put her elbows on the table where they’d eaten meals growing up. Her and Mom and Dad and TJ. Sometimes Bri or Daisy would join them.
Precious, precious time. She hadn’t realized it then, but every moment had been precious.
Her friends were moving on with their lives and she was stuck. Sometimes the best way to get unstuck was to completely change the circumstances. For a little while at least. “I know and that’s one of the reasons I want to stay here, but there are others.”
“Zach?”
She nodded, not able to actually say the words. “And other reasons. Mom, I did ditch Landon, and I knew it would get him in trouble. I didn’t realize how much it would cost Aunt Eve.”
“She’s doing well.” Her mom got a bit teary. “Your Aunt Eve is tough, and you have to know that she would do it all again to save you. The first words out of her mouth when she woke up was to ask about you and Kala.”
Not a surprise. “Please tell her how sorry I am.”
“She doesn’t need an apology, baby girl. She needs to know that you are okay, too.”
Devi nodded. “I’m as okay as I can be right now.”
“That’s all we can ask for. How is Zach?”
Devi wiped away her tears and felt herself go mulish. “I’m mad at him.”
“You did mention that and rightfully so, but how is he?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?” She’d expected her mom to be a Valkyrie warrior, bringing death and destruction on all who thought to harm her.
She hadn’t thought that maybe her mom didn’t think Zach wanted to harm her at all.
“Always. I can be on your side and still care about how Zach is,” her mom said in an altogether too reasonable voice. “Do you want me to turn this over to your dad? I assure you he’ll let you talk shit on Zach for hours. He’s been planning where to hide his body.”