Her eyes meet mine, and for the first time she doesn’t pull them away. She stares at me for a moment. “It’s otay. Mommy be back,” she tells me.
It makes me choke back a sob because what the fuck?
She climbs on my lap and hugs me around the neck. “Mila miss Mommy too.”
My arms wrap around her slowly, hugging her back.
I remember how angry I was when I found out Janet was pregnant. I cursed to God, wondering how he could knowingly send another innocent soul to a woman like her. I’m not saying I understand his logic, but today I find myself grateful for it. I never knew I could love someone so much it hurts.
I don’t let go until she does, thankful for every minute.
She leans back when the music stops playing. “Again,” she says, pointing to the box Serenity saved from being destroyed.
Cole lowers himself across from us, catching my eyes. “Everything will course correct. You’ll see.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Serenity
Something’s ringing in my glove box. I lean over, popping it open, and my heart begins to race. It’s the phone Carson tried to give me, and that’s exactly who’s calling.
I let it ring for a full twenty minutes before I finally answer.
“You’re stubborn,” he says in greeting.
“I’m about two seconds away from tossing this thing out my window, so talk fast.”
He laughs. “Okay, jeez. There’s a building about twenty minutes from your current location. It’s just across the state line. I’m going to send you a pin. Meet me there.”
“No thank you.”
“Serenity, I know you’re headed toward Greeley. What is your plan?”
Of course he’s tracking me with this damn phone. “Well, if you all are correct, I’m on my way to see my brother.”
“Listen. I have an idea. Just meet me at the location I’m sending you.”
“Does Rage know about this?”
“He knows I’m tailing you, but he doesn’t know about this part. This is between me and you.”
“Why would you help me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
It’s not that I don’t trust Carson, I do. What I’m unsure of is why he has faith in me.
“Does this plan ensure Mila stays out of the system?”
“You know I can’t promise you that. That’s up to the judge, but I can assure you it will send the Scorpions back where they belong.”
“Fine. Send me the address.”
“Done. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay, yeah, sure,” I say, hanging up.
I don’t know what his plan is, but if it goes against the Scorpions, it’s also going against my brother.