Page 61 of Payback

I stood on my tiptoes and gave Henry a kiss on the cheek. “Well done.”

Blake clapped him on the back. “You showed him.”

“Oh, fuck,” said Henry.

“What?” I glanced up into his paling face, and his wide, green eyes staring at a point beyond his retreating parents.

An even taller blonde clad in a white summer dress walked along the magnolia path. Her face was obscured by huge, black sunglasses, but her willowy figure could only belong to one person.

“Mom?”

Behind her walked four well-built men in suits, who were obviously bodyguards. But it wasn’t them who made the blood drain from my face. It was the decrepit old man who walked beside her.

Rudolph. Fucking. Trommel.

Chapter 17

The cheering from the egg-and-spoon race faded to a dull roar as every ounce of my concentration focussed on Rudolph. My pulse pounded in my ears to the beat of a war drum. What was he doing here… with Mom? Something terrible must have happened if she had left Casablanca. My mind jumped to Dad and the twins, but they were fine. I’d just seen a goofy photo he had taken the day before of the twins riding on his back.

Rudolph strode toward us with his head held high, jowls merging into a turkey neck that disappeared into a crisp, white shirt. Unlike all the other visitors who wore lightweight clothing, Rudolph wore a navy, pinstriped suit, indicating that he meant business. Even Mr. Bourneville pulled his wife behind him and stepped aside to let him pass.

My gaze darted to Mom, whose expression was as blank as a barbie doll’s, and her posture equally as stiff. A lump formed in my throat. Did he threaten her life… or mine? After everything I had learned about that reptile, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the bodyguards towering over her held a gun to her back.

“What the bloody fuck?” muttered Blake.

“Everybody, stay calm,” said Edward. “I doubt that Rudolph will make any moves in front of so many witnesses.”

“But his bodyguards might,” I muttered.

“They’re probably armed,” added Blake.

Henry stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the approaching procession of doom. “Don’t go with them, no matter what they say. Even if they threaten your mother’s life.”

My gaze flickered up his back. “Henry—”

“She wouldn’t want you to endanger yourself on her account.”

“Let’s not speculate until Rudolph has declared his intentions.” Despite his calm words, Edward’s voice strained with tension.

We didn’t speak while Rudolph took an eternity to close the distance. Neither of us handed out blood-donation brochures to passers-by.

Clearing my throat, I examined Mom’s expressionless features. This stoic act wasn’t like her at all, as she had the worst poker face ever. Scenarios whirred through my mind. Maybe Rudolph had drugged her into submission, or he’d gotten his guards to hit her where the bruises wouldn’t show.

Ignoring my rising panic, I croaked, “H-hi, Mom. What brings you to Mercia Academy?”

“Good afternoon to you,” said Rudolph.

I ignored him and continued staring at Mom, who pressed her lips together as though not wanting to give anything away. My throat dried. “M-mom?”

“Your mother has received a terrible shock, isn’t that right?” said Rudolph.

My hands balled into fists. If I had to look into his face, I would probably punch it. “What are you talking about?”

Rudolph turned his head toward the nearest bodyguard. “Axel—”

“Don’t do this.” Mom made a strangled noise in the back of her throat.

“I’ve tried to protect you from the worst of your daughter’s transgressions.” Rudolph gave Mom a pat on the arm. “This time, she has gone too far. She doesn’t care for my authority or yours. This picture is an incentive for her to come quietly… and without her three paramours. Now, Axel, please display the images.”