Page 122 of Silk Sheets

“Mom, just trust me, okay?” I cut her off with a plea as I grabbed her trembling hand.

“I can’t,” she whispered with fear ridden eyes as she pulled away from me.

“He’s going to hurt you, just get in the car,” I insisted, pulling her closer but she fought against me. “Mom, don’t do this,” I begged, shaking my head. “Please—” my voice cracked. “You have to leave him, mom, you can’t—”

She immediately shook her head, dismissing me. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t start with that, please.”

My voice grew agitated. “Mom, he’s hurting you!”

“Don’t raise your voice at me,” she snapped, making my body still.

Tears trickled down my cheeks, and her anger morphed into sadness. She reached forward, cupping my face with both hands and I gripped her forearms.

“One day he’s going to hurt you so bad…” I trailed off, feeling a lump of fear expand in my throat. “I just don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” she assured me.

“Then come with us—leave him—”

“Dakota, he’s my husband,” she whispered. Her words were like a blade to my chest. She pulled herself out of my hold,stepping back. “Ican’tleave him,” she emphasized, twisting the blade and with blurred vision, I stared at her in disbelief.

Nausea stirred in my stomach, my legs going numb.

My words felt like acid coming up my throat. “He’s going to kill you…”

“He won’t. He’s just…” she trailed off, looking back at the house. “I just upset him. It’ll pass.”

I scoffed in disbelief, unable to accept the words leaving her mouth. “You’re defending him?”

She opened her mouth to protest but I wouldn’t hear it. I reached forward, grabbing her arm as I pulled her toward the car.

“Dakota, no,” she protested, putting up a fight.

“He’s going to keep hurting you!” I snapped, tightening my hold on her.

“Dakota.”

My head snapped in Kaden’s direction and my eyes of anger softened. He gave his head a subtle shake and I let go of my mother.

She held her wrist, staring at me with shock and gut wrenching disapproval.

Without hesitation she stepped back, and hurried into the house.

An ache shot through my chest as I stepped to follow her but Kaden moved in front of me, stopping me.

“Kaden, I have to stop her,” I said, looking past him to see my mother enter the house.

“She’s made her choice—”

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head in denial. “No, she—I have to help her.”

“You can’t.”

With a breathless scoff I pushed past him but he grabbed my arm, pulling me back to the car. Before I was able to get anotherword out, he opened the passenger door and forced me inside. He rounded the car and locked the doors before turning to look at me.

“I need you to trust me,” he ordered.

“Now isnotthe time to ask for trust, Kaden,” I shot back, reaching to open the door but it was locked.