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I rush to the door with my heart in my throat but don’t immediately open it. I glance out the window and jolt when I see the last person I would’ve expected to find at Gunner’s frontdoor. I quickly unlock it, my eyes wide when they meet a face that’s nearly identical, if older, to the one I see in the mirror.
“Mom?” I whisper, my heart clenching painfully and eyes welling up with tears as I stare at the woman I haven’t seen in weeks. The woman who abandoned me to the mercy of my stepfather. “How did you find me here?” I demand, feeling a confusing mix of relief and anger at seeing her again.
“Mila, my baby,” she cries, launching herself into my arms, and for a second, I am reminded of the woman I knew before my father was stolen from us. Christ, it’s been so long since I have felt her warm embrace.
“Where have you been?” I sniff, drawing back from the hug to look at her. “You have no idea what’s happened with Dennis since you left. He tried to—”
“Shhh,” she whispers, running a soothing hand over my hair. “I’m here now. Tell me what’s going on. I spoke to Dennis this afternoon, and he said you took off with Gunner.”
“Of course, he did,” I say, wiping the tears on my cheeks as I nod into the house. “Come in. Gunner just left, but he’ll be back soon.” Please come back soon.
“I would love to. I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart.”
My eyes well once more with tears. “I missed you too.” It’s true. Despite the anger I feel, I did miss her.
I lead her into the living room where we settle on the couch. She looks like she wants to hug me, but I don’t know that I’m ready for that now that the shock of seeing her again has passed. I want answers.
“So,” she begins, “Gunner, is he the same kid your father used to train? The one who was mugged?”
I beam at the question, “Yeah. I ran into him when I needed him the most. Can you believe he went on to become a professional boxer? Dad would be so proud.”
My mother doesn’t respond to that, but looks down at her hands, twisting her fingers in her lap. I realize that though it’s only been a few months since I’ve seen her, she’s gained weight. Her skin has a glow to it that wasn’t there before, but her eyes are incredibly sad.
“I miss your father. He’d be so disappointed in me,” she says in a small voice.
“Where have you been?” I ask. “Why did you just disappear without even a goodbye?”
She looks up sharply, clearly surprised by my words. “But I did say goodbye. I wrote you a letter, Mila. I explained everything, where I was going, when I’d be back, how to reach me.”
“No, Mom,” I respond. “I never got any letter.”
“That bastard,” she curses before turning to me. She raises her hands like she’s going to reach for me but lets them drop. “I promise you, sweetheart, I didn’t abandon you. I went to rehab. I got arrested for public intoxication after Dennis and I got into another fight outside a bar. The court ordered that I had to go to rehab. I decided that this was my chance to really get sober, to be the mother you deserve. I thought I was doing the right thing, and I explained it all in a letter that I left for you, along with the phone number for the rehab center. When you never called, I thought you’d given up on me.”
“I never got any letter,” I say, confused but relieved. So, she hadn’t really left me, at least not for good.
“Dennis must have gotten rid of it, that asshole. I swear, I thought I was doing the right thing. When I came home andfound you gone, Dennis said you’d taken off with Gunner. I called an old colleague of your father’s to get his address. Something didn’t feel right, and I needed to see you.”
I scoff. “Yeah, something wasn’t right, alright. Your husband is trying to sell my virginity and my inheritance to settle a gambling debt.”
“He what?!” my mother explodes, bolting up from the couch and heading for the door. “Oh, I am going to kill that man!”
“Mom, stop,” I call after her. “Gunner is taking care of it. He’s at the fight club in that old factory. He’s going to confront Dennis and the man he made the deal with. Mom, did you know about the money Dad left me?” I stand up to face her as she turns back toward me, away from the door. She looks a little ashamed now, and I brace myself for more betrayal.
“I did know. Your father and I agreed to put all of his assets into a trust that would go to you. I was supposed to have access to it, but I didn’t realize that if I remarried, I’d lose access and you wouldn’t get it until you’re twenty-one. It turned out, Dennis only wanted me for that money, and he was furious that he couldn’t get to it once we were married. I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want you to hate me for marrying Dennis. By then, we were reliant on him to support us. He told me if I divorced him, he’d report me to children services as an unfit mother and I’d lose custody of you. I couldn’t risk that.”
“Oh, Mom,” I say, going to her and wrapping her in my arms. Waves of relief and sympathy for my mom wash through me. “But you’re sober now?” I ask, still holding her. I can feel the wetness of her tears against my neck.
“Yes, I’m three months sober. Every day is a battle, but I’m committed to staying sober for both of us.” After several minutesof holding each other, she finally pulls back. “You said Gunner went to the fight club to confront Dennis and this other man?”
I nod. “I’m scared, Mom. What if he gets hurt?”
My mom reaches up and sweeps her thumbs under my eyes, wiping away my tears, but she’s not focused on me. “I’d like a few minutes in a cage with Dennis, myself,” she mutters, almost to herself. Then she straightens her shoulders and looks me in the eye. “That settles it. I’m going to the club. I’ve been there before, years ago, with your father to scout fighters. I know where it is. Once Gunner’s done with him, I’ll have my piece of Dennis, that rat bastard. I didn’t protect you like I should have before, but I will now.”
The determination in her eyes makes it clear she won’t be swayed. “I’m coming too,” I say. I can’t sit here while Gunner is fighting for me, for our future. I’m Matt Ridge’s daughter. I’ll stand beside my man.
After grabbing a jacket, I follow Mom out to her car. She climbs into the driver’s seat, and within moments, we’re pulling away from the curb. She doesn’t say a word as she starts driving through the dark streets. I know from experience that she doesn’t like to be distracted when driving, so I stay silent until we’re pulling into a parking lot filled with cars.
“What is this place?” I ask, peering at the old building.
