He shakes his head, adding knowingly, “That’s how it starts, Brother.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mary
“Alicia? Can I have a word?”
“Yeah, Mom.” She gets to her feet.
Patsy waves to a door leading out of the kitchen. “Picnic benches out back if you want to get some fresh air.”
Giving her a grateful nod, I indicate to my daughter that we’ll go that way. Once outside, I take a seat, then point with my hand. “You can see the Coronado Bridge from here.”
She glances that way for a second, then loses interest fast and looks back. Her brow is furrowed. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“How are you feeling? Really feeling I mean. Don’t tell me ‘fine’ as I won’t believe it.”
She presses her lips together. “Like my world’s been shattered. I trusted him, Mom.”
It’s the first time we’ve had a chance to talk one-on-one about what’s happened to her, and her opening gambit makes me want to cry. I fight back my tears, knowing my own sadness and disappointment won’t help her.
“I know you did.”
“What was your first time like?” A quick glance spared for the scenery, then her eyes come back to me.
“A disappointment.” I swallow and tell her the truth. “I was the starry-eyed girl who made it easy for the most wanted guy in school. Then, having got what he wanted, he made sure he was never alone with me again.”
“Why, Mom? Why are men like that, always taking advantage?”
“Not all men are. But yeah, the bad apples seem to be attracted by good girls.”
She ponders that for a moment. Her brow creases again. “That video—”
I cover her hand with my own, squeezing it. “There’s another chapter of the Satan’s Devils who are technical experts. They are going to track that video down and destroy it. I believe Grumbler when he says they can do it.”
“Grumbler’s a good man,” she agrees. “I like him, Mom.”
I ask the question that I’d had since I first arrived. “Why did you come to him, and not to me?”
She looks down to where my hand is still holding hers. “I didn’t want to be shouted at. I knew I deserved it, Mom. I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t admit what a fool I’d been to you, or my friends. I had no one else to go to. I don’t really know why, but I thought of him.”
“How on earth did you know where to find him?”
“I didn’t, but the Uber driver knew where the compound was.” Which was lucky. I doubt many people could find it. I’d needed Grumbler’s instructions. Alicia continues, “Apparently, he used to be a pizza delivery guy and had been here before.”
Seeing cooking wasn’t the club girls’ primary role, I can imagine they get takeout quite a lot.
“I don’t mind staying here, Mom. I think talking to the women helped.”
I’m glad it helped, but I’m not sure I want my girl to be influenced by them. “We’re not going to stay here—”
“Mom! How can we go home? What if Owen comes around? What if he threatens me? Threatens you? What—”
It’s my turn to interrupt. Jumping in fast, I explain, “We won’t be alone, Alicia. Grumbler’s coming back with us, and a prospect will come and take you to school and pick you up. We’ll be hoping Owen does come around so Grumbler can sort him out.”
“Grumbler isn’t young, Mom. Do you really think he could take on Owen? And what if Devon comes too?”
“Grumbler’s the sergeant-at-arms, Alicia. I’m sure he’ll know what to do.” I have faith in Grumbler, even if she doesn’t.
“But I want to stay here.” She’s pouting now.
“All our stuff is at home. On Monday, you have to go to school.”
Her face falls, she looks scared. “I don’t want to go. Can’t you tell them I’m sick?”
“No. I won’t lie for you, Alicia. Oh, and don’t forget, we need to collect your phone from Marisa.”
Her head sinks lower at my subtle, but not actually intentional, reference to how she lied.
“You two good?” Grumbler appears out of nowhere, and I’ve never been so glad to see anyone.
“I think so, yes. I was just telling Alicia we’re headed home.”
“Not going to stay and eat what the club girls were cooking?” Grumbler winks.
I chuckle. “It didn’t look all that appetising.” Though Cindy was trying hard.
Alicia rolls her eyes. “We’ll go home and Mom will order takeout. It’s all she ever does.”
Not quite true. Though in some ways I’m glad my daughter is regaining some spirit, if it’s only to rebel. She’s coming back to herself.
“Your mom works,” Grumbler states firmly. “And what about you, Alicia? You cook? You put something on the table for when your mom returns from her job?”
Her wide-eyed expression makes me smile, though I try to hide it. No, Alicia’s not gotten to that stage yet. Probably because I’ve always tried to be the perfect mother, providing for her, even if it’s just takeaway food.
Alicia turns and gives him an appraising look. “You’re going to be on her side, aren’t you? If you come stay with us.”
“Your mom’s side?” He glances at me shrewdly. “I’m not coming to take sides, I’m just going to be there to keep you safe. But,” he holds up his hand when Alicia snorts in disbelief, “if there’s any side to come down on, I’ll land on the side of common sense.”
“Would you have stopped me going to see Owen?”
Grumbler stares at her. “Would your mom have, had you told her?”
“Well, yeah,” Alicia replies as if he’s dumb.
“And she would have done that, why? To stop you from having fun?”
“Well, yeah,” she repeats.
Grumbler slowly shakes his head as though he’s disappointed in her. “Really?”
Alicia thinks for a moment. “She’d have said I don’t know enough about him.”
I bite my tongue because she’s absolutely right. I wish she’d have talked to me. It wasn’t that she’d raced off to give her virginity to the first man who’d turned her head, I’m the last person who could
