Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 133

"One of the Rory brothers," Dad says in disbelief. "Higher Ends?"

"The one and only. The youngest brother, Patton." I don't bother hiding the smugness in my voice. If they thought they could lure me back with money, they're mistaken. Patton Rory earns more in a year than they'll earn in a lifetime.

"Impossible!" Mom hisses. "How could you possibly know them?"

"I didn't, but things change fast. Arlo's actually staying with Delly Rory right now while we have this family reunion."

They gawk at me for what feels like a century.

I'm sure they're waiting for me to back down and say I lied. No dice.

I don't back down. I meet their gazes with all the defiance Patton taught me, knocking me out of my own head and my fears with every kiss. I wish so badly I'd appreciated it more.

"Arlo's on the mend. He'll be fine, in case you wondered," I say finally, when they don't speak. "You came here because you were worried about him, right?"

Dad takes off his glasses and meticulously cleans them on the edge of his shirt before putting them back on. It's a tell he's had forever when he's nervous or at a loss for words.

His eyes are the same watery light-brown glass they've always been, but they can't hide his feelings now.

"Patton Rory," he repeats. "Of all people, she could have at least told us —"

"Byron," Mom snaps, unleashing the anger that's been building inside her.

She's always been the one with the temper. She uses words like swords, but time and motherhood has hardened my skin. If she wants to stab me in the face, I'm ready.

I'll never let Arlo experience the same awful feelings she inflicted on me, the dread that I was never good enough.

"Salem Hopper, you need to tread lightly," she whispers. Her anger is unsheathed, and the kid working with Junie looks at us. "This is not a game. Men like Patton Rory will entertain you as long as you're pretty and interesting, but that doesn't last forever. Come home before it's too late, before you lose everything."

"Did I say we were dating?" I retort. The color drains from Mom's overdone face. "He's a good man to the end. He's responsible and he's perfectly happy to step up." I stand then, taking one more little cake from the beautifully crafted stand. "It's nice to know it's possible, especially when he's so rich. If you guys want back in my life, you should think about how you want to handle things next time. Think about how Patton treats me. Think hard."

"Salem, wait. Don't you dare walk out. Don't you dare leave us—" Mom says, but I don't turn around. I'm up and moving.

Just like before, we part ways with someone walking out. Only, this time it's me.

This day has no chill whatsoever.

"Did you tell my mother about Arlo? Did you ask her to come out?" I ask point-blank.

Her eyelashes flutter at the hardness in my tone.

I know they still talk once in a blue moon. My parents practically worshipped the Persephones and hoped that just being around Kay would make me richer.

And although I know I summoned my mom in the panic over Arlo, I never put her up to coming back to Kansas City. With Kay showing up unannounced, I'm suspicious Mom had encouragement.

"Nope," she says, but she hesitates a beat. "I told my mom, of course, but you know how it is… She might have told your mom, but as for me, I—"

"Spare me the excuses."

Surprise flashes on her face, mingled with something else. Hurt?

I'm not sorry.

We've been quasi-friends long enough for me to say something like that without her acting like I just shot her.