Chapter 22 Cam #2
He shook his head. “Sorry. I still can’t believe you’re here.
” He met her beautiful amber eyes, so she’d believe the sincerity of his answer and took her free hand, stroking his thumb across the back.
“I’ve lived here my entire life, and I feel trapped.
I wanted more before the asteroid and since then, I’d given up.
Until you. You’ve proven there’s still life beyond the wall and a way to live.
Leaving the walls may be unconventional, but if we can make it work, I’d like to try.
But most of all, I want to be with you. If not at your present house, somewhere else. ”
She cleared her throat as though about to speak, when the doorbell rang—a buzzing sound different from the phone.
He sighed and released her hand. He could live without so many interruptions.
“That’ll be my mother.” He ran his hand through his hair, which was again too long.
The image of Lissa concentrating while giving him a haircut like she had before flashed through his mind.
Her scent had nearly driven him mad up close.
He’d leashed his desire to devour her, but barely.
Maybe he could convince her to do it again after her arm healed. This time, he wouldn’t hold back.
“She arrived a lot sooner than you said.” Lissa set her sandwich down.
“My mother does what she wants most of the time.” The buzzer rang again, a long continuous noise for several seconds. Fuck. She must be holding the button.
Lissa pushed back from the table and gave him a tight one-armed hug.
He breathed her in. Her citrus scent and squeeze made him feel supported, a novel feeling.
He could get used to being with her. The buzzer rang again, and this time it continued in one long, harsh blast. He inhaled Lissa’s fresh, clean scent again, then let go. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’ve got this,” she said. “No matter what, I’m Team Cam.”
He liked the sound of that. We. Cam and Lissa, together at last. He spun the door lock and keyed in the code. The buzzing persisted until the door released with a loud clunk.
“Hello, Mother,” he said, swinging the thick steel door open further.
“I’d prefer you don’t call me that.” His mother pushed inside, moving down the hall past him. “So, where is this wild woman you let through the gate? You don’t listen to anything I say, do you?” As usual, her words went beyond impolite.
With her unpleasant attitude, this wouldn’t be an extended visit. Cam walked faster, not wanting Lissa to face his mother on her own.
“Lissa,” he said, reaching the kitchen. “This is my mother, Dolores Montgomery.”
“So, I hear you’ve convinced Cam to leave us again.” His mother’s voice was angry.
Who was she getting her information from? Perhaps one of the Med Center nurses. It was also possible someone had eavesdropped on their conversations in the hospital. His mother had been mayor for so long that many people probably still felt intimidated enough to provide answers if asked.
“I didn’t convince him. He offered to drive me home.” Lissa’s face assumed a closed and neutral expression. Her face for strangers.
“How do we know you aren’t part of a Slains’ plot?” His mother stood closer to Lissa than made him comfortable, hands on her hips. So, this was how his mother was going to play it. Angry and confrontational. His favorite.
“Cam was the first person I’d spoken to in almost six years.
I’ve never talked to any of the Slains.” Lissa’s voice remained even.
Good for her. Though she seemed to take this in stride, Cam’s blood boiled while he struggled to keep his own face expressionless.
In a calm tone, she continued. “I’d never work with those creeps. Besides, who do you think shot me?”
“We only have your version of what happened out there,” said his mother. “Injuries can be faked. Tell me more about this plot you ‘uncovered.’” She made air quotes around her final word.
Cam ground down on his molars. Stonewalling wouldn’t work today. He needed to speak up, if not for himself, for Lissa.
Lissa shook her head and assumed an expression of confusion.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know you. With Cam’s introductions, I’ve talked to the mayor and Captain Wilson.
They believed me, and they spoke to the Council.
” She frowned, laying it on thicker. “From what I understand, you aren’t on the Council anymore.
I can’t tell you anything because I was asked to keep it confidential. ”
“It’s okay. I’m the past-mayor, like a past-president. I should be kept in the loop.” His mother’s over-the-top sweetness seemed comical beside Lissa’s faux-polite demeanor.
“Dolores, I don’t think that’s a thing,” Cam said.
His mother’s name felt odd on his tongue, but better than calling her mom had in a long time.
An image of a famous movie character named Dolores came to mind, and not for the first time.
He had the full set of Harry Potter DVDs and had noticed the resemblance.
Pastel sweater sets and a cruel, fake smile.
His mother was a dead-ringer for Dolores Umbridge. Yes, from now on, she could be Dolores.
She stepped closer to Lissa, her index finger pointing at Lissa’s face.
“The Slains killed my son. I have a right to whatever you know.” Her watery pale green eyes and sad tone didn’t fool him.
She was irate and up to something. He’d known she had another agenda for her visit.
Not only was it not about him, but it wasn’t about Lissa either.
Dolores was feeling powerless and wanted leverage to get back in the game.
“I’m sorry, that doesn’t entitle you to have privileged information. Leadership has taken steps to keep us safe. That’s all you need to know.” Cam angled his body in front of Lissa’s as he interrupted. She shouldn’t have to deal with his horrid mother and her misplaced anger.
“I still think you’re part of a plot to steal this place from us.” His mother wagged her finger in Lissa’s impassive face as her tone became caustic.
Lissa flinched, stepping back. His mother had invaded her personal space for too long.
“Dolores, it’s time for you to leave.” Cam reached for her elbow.
His mother snatched her arm away with a snarl. “You have no right to touch me. You’re nothing, and I wish you’d never been born.”
Cam felt the dagger to his heart but chose not to respond.
She’d said this before, but not for many years.
He repeated, “It’s time to go.” Part of him felt like a child again, broken-hearted by his mother’s unfeeling comments.
For years, she’d taken out her anger at his father’s departure on Cam.
Everyone always said how much he resembled his father, in looks and in temperament.
That wasn’t his fault. Neither was this.
“It’s bad enough you got your younger brother killed. Now you’re bringing trouble down on us all.” Her face flushed with her accusation.
Cam shook his head, unable to speak. He’d known she felt this way, but it didn’t lessen the pain. He kept his expression neutral. Better not to let it show in front of Dolores.
Lissa rested her hand on Cam’s rigid shoulder and stepped in front of him like a human shield. The intense look on her face made him fall in love further. She was up for this battle. “This is Cam’s house, and he doesn’t have to put up with your abuse. Leave.”
Dolores stepped back, perhaps startled by Lissa’s blazing anger. The air between them practically sizzled, then Dolores hissed. “If you’re a spy, I hope they catch you in the act and lock you in a dungeon.”
She was preposterous. His jaw ached, and face felt hot.
Lissa wasn’t finished. “You came here to meet me. Now you have. Cam was kind enough to let me stay here while my shoulder heals. It’s a shame you can’t see him the way I do.
He cooks delicious food, helps with any task, remembers everything he’s read, and thinks about other’s feelings.
Including yours, even if you don’t deserve it.
We don’t want you here. You call yourself a mother, but all I see is an angry, bitter woman grasping at power she no longer has.
What we do is none of your business. I’ll see you out. ”
Warmth filled Cam. Lissa had defended him to the one person who always put him last. Her actions spoke volumes and filled him with hope.
Dolores sputtered. “You-you-you can’t talk to me that way.”
Lissa lifted her hand and pointed toward the door. The women had a thirty-second standoff while Cam held his breath. At last, his mother’s face flushed beet red, and she stomped toward the exit. Lissa at her heels, herding her away.
The door clicked, and the tumblers in the lock clunked as she spun the wheel.
She returned alone. “She might be your mother, but she’s a cold, nasty woman. Is she always so angry?”
He nodded. “Often. Thank you for taking my side.”
“She didn’t mean what she said.” Lissa’s amber eyes were shiny, as though almost teary. For him. Because he hurt.
He opened his arms. “Can I have another hug?” Maybe one without interruption.
She stepped into him, protecting her injured arm but holding him tight with the other.
She tucked her head under his chin and rested it against his shoulder.
He sighed, allowing her comfort to seep into him.
This was why he wanted a life with her. Why he loved her.
Around her, his feeling of isolation disappeared.
It was too early to say the special words on his lips, but he hoped they would have forever.
“I should tell the captain about her accusations,” he said at last. “I’ll call before my shift at two.” He let Lissa go, missing her warmth when she left his arms. “I worry something more is afoot.”