Here Lies a Saint (Here Lies #2) - C.L. Matthews Page 0,85

fucked again, might as well take it at full force." His voice is devoid of anything nice.

Justice really fucked up this moment.

I follow Lux, and by the time we're back at the place, it feels empty. I know it's not. They will have the party going for hours, so unless someone died, we'll easily be able to act as if we were conducting something less scandalous than a threesome in the fucking woods.

Chapter Thirty

Colt

After I've calmed down, I finally replay what happened. Lux ran. Jordan helped me find everyone, and then his father backhanded him so badly, he already started have a bruise, and the blood? Fuck. I don't even think it fazed Jordan, which is worse since it only confirms what I already guessed. He's abused.

"That was horrifying," Mom finally states, her hands on her waist. "I'd heard there was abuse among the Emeralds, but I had no fucking clue it was so bad."

"You knew?" I confront her, giving her the dirtiest look known to man.

She just grimaces. "Yes, Colt. It may seem like I'm purposely a shitty person, but I promise it's more to do with protecting you than completely sucking."

"You left me here with that psychopath!" I scream, knowing it's far too loud, but unlike them, my mom doesn't hit me. Yeah, she slapped me that night, and it surprised us both, but she's not one to raise her hands. She's more of the abandon to punish type.

She tries getting closer to me, but my retreating steps let her know I'm not okay with it.

"My intentions aren't always something I can push, Colton. You don't understand how little power I have with men like Elijah."

"What about Midas? Signing me over to his fucking son!" My voice is too loud. I should be calmer, right? But fuck, I'm so mad. My being anything less than furious will let her feel like it's okay. It's not.

She finally closes the distance, grabbing both my cheeks. "He promised me your safety, Colt, that nothing will happen to you. You'll be safe, secure, and not in harm's way like Cassidy."

"Fuck you," I cry. I approached both of my moms about Cassidy's death. They blatantly lied to my face, saying he wasn't killed, and I'd been coping in any way I could. "How could you make me feel crazy about his death?"

Her eyes prick at this, her eyes staring through me like a broken doll and not a concerned parent. "You would have gotten yourself killed. You ask too many questions."

"You didn't prepare me for any of this," I accuse, my voice hoarse at this point. She never helped me through grieving. Instead, she sent me to therapists, pawning off my pain instead of dealing with it herself.

Her vehement head shake only makes me angrier. If she makes some stupid excuse as to why it was safer for me, I'll deck her. I'm not safe not knowing, and between her and the guys being secretive, I'm basically a baby fawn waiting for my death.

"I'd been told you weren't expected to replace Cassidy or honor the Hudson spot. They promised you were not going to be a part of it, but when Preston mentioned you were hanging around the guys again—”

"Preston?"

"Mr. Richter..."

Rolling my eyes, I pull her hands away from my face. "Another thing I can hate you for.”

"You're going away from the point," she argues. "You may not like me, but I've protected you to the best of my abilities."

"Why did you even give birth to me or Cassidy?" I nearly cry.

She stares off, and my stomach clenches uncomfortably. "Even women are required to birth kids."

"You're a lesbian," I prod, wanting it to be true. "You love Moms." But she doesn't look back at me to confirm. "Right?"

Finally, her gaze connects with mine. "Moms is—" she begins.

But I see Noah coming toward me. Not knowing why she brings me comfort, I almost rush into a hug. She holds me, brushing my hair with her fingers.

"Are you okay?" she questions, pulling away from me. Her face is full of concern. When she turns to Mom, her face changes into protective. She knows who my mom is, what she's done, and she's not a fan.

What's troublesome to me is the fact that Mom stares at Noah with... fear? That's the only way I can describe her appearance.

"How did you two met?" Mom asks.

Noah stares Mom down and responds for me. "When she was forced into this dungeon of living, we bonded, and now, we're like