53. Kiera
KIERA
I felt every wall that my captors had torn down go flying back up at the sight of my mother sitting by the cafe window. Just her presence was enough to make me defensive.
What was really psyching me out was that she was on time. No, she would have been early — a cup of coffee already sipped from in front of her.
She’s never bothered to be on time for me.
Something must have gotten into her… unless she really did just miss me enough to put in a modicum of effort.
But I knew that wasn’t what was happening.
She wants something.
As I walked up to the table, my mom stood from her seat and held out her arms for a hug. “Oh, my baby. I was so worried about you.”
I crossed my arms and sat in the chair opposite her. “Hi.”
Raising an eyebrow, Maura cleared her throat and sat down. “Do you want coffee? Are they taking care of you?”
“I don’t want coffee.” My forehead scrunched up. “No one’s ‘taking care of me.’ I’m fine. I told you that.”
“I’ve just been worried. That man on the phone…” Maura looked out the window, scanning the surrounding buildings.
We’re being watched.
At least she was completely on the wrong track, still thinking some man had stolen me that night.
My eyes scanned her clothes. Designer. Clearly she wasn’t wanting for money, a new Louis Vuitton bag on the table. New boyfriend, I decided. And the diamond necklace resting on her chest would have all but confirmed that.
“I’ve just so missed you and our little catchups. How are you?” She pressed, resting her chin on her palm like we were old friends.
“I’m good. Mom, why are we here? I know you don’t want to just catch up.” My patience was thin, even though I knew I needed to play nice to get the information I’d risked everything to try and retrieve.
Maura’s jaw dropped. “Now, Kiera, don’t be rude. I love you and I want to know what’s going on. You’ve just disappeared off the face of the earth and you won’t tell your poor, worried mother anything.”
Learning forward, I shrugged. “I’m good, happy. You look like you’re doing well.”
She took the bait, excited to finally talk about herself. As far as she was concerned, she’d asked me how I was and she was off the hook.
Her face lit up as she sat up straighter. “Well, I’ve been spending more time with an old friend. He’s been taking such good care of me. Especially since my only child hasn’t wanted to help me.”
There was no suppressing the eye roll that rocketed through me.
Fucking bitch. She just had to get her little digs in, even when it was clear that she wanted something from me.
But there was only one old friend who would suddenly want to bring needy Maura back into his circle. She would walk right into my trap, leaving me an opening to ask her about Zeus and their IPO date.
“That’s not really the point.” Maura waved her giddiness off, instead placing her left hand in the middle of the table and presenting her ring finger. “I’m getting married, baby!”
Bile burned in my chest at the thought. “Excuse me?”
This wasn’t where I thought she was going, not at all the words I next thought would leave her mouth.
Before my mind would even catch up, something more harrowing left my mother’s lips. “I’m marrying Isaac Dumont!”