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Landon looks ready for action—a man I wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with in a dark alley.
“Damn, he got into Ezra’s head. That’s going to be a problem.”
I’m utterly confused. I raise my hand like a little schoolkid. “Uh...who are Levi and Ezra?”
“My younger brothers,” Hunter answers, and his words are strained.
Obviously, there’s some conflict. “I’m guessing they are not good brothers by the way you answered.”
Hunter looks at me. “Levi is my youngest brother. He can see the trouble my father causes and doesn’t want any part in it. Ezra, on the other hand, has been trying to show that he’ll obey anything my father says. My father has done a number on him.”
“And they now have my mother. What’s the point of that?” I shift my gaze back to Landon, hoping for an answer.
“Leverage. They will release her to us only if you come.” He points to me, and it feels like there’s a target drawn squarely on my chest.
“Well, we have to go get her.” My arms wave around with urgency. I start to walk toward the house but quickly realize they aren’t following. “Um...hello? We have to go help my mother.”
Hunter hangs his head, and I catch his shoulders drop and rise again. “We can’t go right away.”
I stomp back to him. “Why not? I’m ready. Well, not really, but I will be.”
Hunter is shaking his head. “No, it’s not that. It’s...” He stops, and his eyes go past me to Landon. I turn to him and catch him shaking his head.
“What’s going on?” I stomp my foot. I want answers.
Nothing.
They’ve become silent.
“So much for no more secrets. You can sleep somewhere else tonight,” I growl out.
24
I stomp toward the house.
Thankfully, Hunter doesn’t follow, and neither does Landon. I don’t understand what the big secret is. It’s so hard for him to be open and honest with me, but if he wants me to be a part of his world, then he needs to include me. I’m done with being left out. Done with Hunter and this entire thing, whatever it is.
My boots trample up the few stairs into the house, and I yank them off, letting them fall to the floor with a thud. I head straight for my bedroom and slam the door behind me, pacing the floor.
A light knock at the door makes me pause.
“What?” I bite out.
The door opens, and May’s head pops around. “Are you all right? I can’t help but notice stomping feet and slamming doors. Kind of reminds me of what it’s like to have kids around.” She smiles, and slowly, I simmer down.
I’m not mad at her. “I am so mad at Hunter. Apparently, his father has my mother, and they won’t go and get her. His father wants me there.”
May’s eyes go wide, and she covers her mouth with a hand, the distress evident. Her other wraps around her stomach. “They have Miriam?” she asks, disbelieving.
I nod.
“That’s not good, honey. They desperately want you.”
“What? The other week, you and Hunter were arguing about me going to see his father, and now you’re both against it. Why?” I fold my arms across my chest and wait.
May sighs. “Honey, come sit.” She moves to the wooden box at the end of my bed—the bed Hunter and I have been sharing for the last month. Reluctantly, I sit beside her. “Now that they have your mother, they have leverage over you and Hunter. It’s not good. It is a huge power play on Thomas’ behalf. He can manipulate the way discussions go, and he could easily kill you both when you’re there.Oh, darling, it’s not good.”
The weight of her words rests on my shoulders. A power play. I’m a pawn in a game of chess, and I need to make myself queen instead.
