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The darkness in her began to spread, roused by her mother’s hatred and broken belief in a monster.
“I know what it feels like to watch someone you love be tortured to death. I watched them smash Manny’s face in. I listened to him drown in his own blood. I know what it feels like to be utterly helpless. Three years later, I still have nightmares about it every other week.”
She traced one of her scars with a shaking finger.
“The man who killed Manny, the man who laughed while he stabbed me, your husband had made a deal with him.” She couldn’t stop her lips from peeling back in a snarl. Her breathing was harsh and ragged as bloodlust raced through her. “Pat sold Nora and me to him for five hundred thousand dollars. That monster had you raped for insurance. I caught Pat standing over Nora and Carmen with a gun.”
She got in her mother’s face, blood boiling with the need for violence. She allowed her mother to see the savage she kept under lock and key and was satisfied when Beatrice recoiled.
“What do you think I did,Mother?”
Blade’s arm pressed against her upper chest, ready to force her back if need be. He knew her control was tenuous at best, that she had lost what patience she had and was going in for the kill.
“I did what anyrealmother would do,” she hissed. “I protected my daughter.”
Her statement filled the room, which was so quiet she heard the distant murmur of the guards standing in the living room. She waited for Beatrice to make a move, but she was stock-still once more.
“He sent men to kill Nora if Pat couldn’t do it. I killed them too.” Her voice shook with rage. “You have no idea the sacrifices I’ve made, thehellI’ve been through. You never came to see me in the hospital. You didn’t care that I was fighting for my life. It was all over the news. I disappeared for years at a time, and you never asked why. All you cared about washim.”
The last word was said on a roar. Blade forced her back a step, and she let him because she was so close to leaping on Beatrice. Years of bitterness choked her.
“Where thefuckwere you?” Her voice was guttural with rage. “You dare tell me I never helped? I got a job at sixteen to help pay the bills. You gave me to the Pyres because you wanted a fucking dowry for me. All you ever cared about is what you could get out of me. I risked my life to find you, to get to you in time.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. Her nails dug into Blade’s arm as she tried to control herself.
“Whether you like it to not, you’re my only living parent. Even as useless as you are in that role, you’re all I have. The only reason I’m still here is because of Carmen. She lost Vinny, and my death would have pushed her over the edge. She wouldn’t let me die, so I fought for her. Since you don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself, I suggest you find inspiration because I’m not through with you. I don’t care if I have to find someone to spoon-feed you or force you out of bed with a cattle prod. You’re not done until I fucking say you’re done. You understand me?”
Lyla pulled her top up and turned away as she tied a knot with trembling fingers. She walked out of the house with furious tears streaming down her face. She didn’t bother to hide them because she didn’t give a fuck. Blade opened the door to the SUV, and she climbed in. The discomfort from her bruised ass was nothing compared to the maelstrom going on inside her.
The short ride back to Aunt Isabel’s didn’t give her enough time to compose herself. She was still leaking when Aunt Isabel came outside with Nora. Her smile dropped away when she saw Lyla’s face.
“Aw, honey, I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. Thank you for watching her and taking Beau and Honey,” she said shakily as she took Nora. She strapped Nora in the car seat, grateful for any task to keep her from losing her shit.
Aunt Isabel gave her a hug. “I love you.”
She nodded. “Love you too. Thank you.”
“Anytime. Enjoy your trip.”
“Yours as well.”
She climbed in beside the car seat and placed her hand on Nora’s lap. Her daughter lifted her hand and gnawed on her fingers. She stared straight ahead as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Blade turned in his seat to look at her. “Lyla?”
“Take me home,” she whispered.
They pulled out of the drive.
“Mum mum,” Nora said.
It should have been a beautiful moment—the first time Nora said her name—but all she could think about was her own broken mother. She buried her face in Nora’s lap and cried.
When they reached the fortress, she was dry-eyed. Nora must have had a blast at Aunt Isabel’s because she was sleeping. Blade put Nora on his shoulder while she walked into the house. She headed for the gym and was trying to tape up her hands when Blade entered.
“Where’s Nora?” she asked.
