Page 122 of Poisoned Promise
“Alex… this goes way beyond anything you’ve done. The fire you caused was pretty smart. Triggering the unlocking of the doors? I never would have thought about that when I was your age so you learned well. All you were trying to do was protect yourself and your Mom. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. And reaching out to hear a familiar voice? I did the same when I lost someone important to me. Listening to their voicemail… it gave me comfort. So what you did… they aren’t terrible mistakes and absolutely not the cause of this.”
“Then what is?”
“Me. To an extent. If I had… been a better man, a better person in the past then maybe none of this would ever have happened. But I know for sure that your Mom loves you more than she’s ever loved anyone, she’s proud of you and she would not want you to blame yourself.” I pick up the mug and slowly hand it to him, relieved when he takes it. “This is not on you.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better,” he murmurs.
“Of course not. Nothing will feel better until I get your Mom back but?—.”
“You’re getting her back?” He cuts me off and stares at me with wide eyes that mirror Dove’s.
“Of course I am.”
“Do you promise?”
Against my better judgment, the words escape me before I can stop them. “I promise.”
“I’m really scared. That man said she’d done all these terrible things so all that was waiting for her was terrible things. I didn’t want to believe him but… everything is so different.”
“Well he’s a cunt for one.”
Alex’s eyes widen.
“Sorry. Bad word. Look… I knew your Mom really well back before you were born. She was a good, honest, hardworking woman. She could kick my ass. She could kick anyone’s ass. But the world we’re both from can force you into situations where you have to do horrible things. But Reese was a liar, okay? Your Mom… She had no choice. She did what she had to do to save herself and she’s spent the rest of her life doing everything within her power to keep you safe.”
“Until I fucked it up.”
“Well.” My head cocks and I smile. “I used to boost cars as a kid so I understand the appeal. And your Mom ain’t so innocent either.”
“Really?” There’s some clear awe on his tone, underneath the upset.
“Really.”
“Wow. That’s kind of cool.”
“Your Mom is cool. But she’s also responsible and I know she’ll be feeling immensely guilty for everything that’s happened to you. So when I get her back, just make sure you tell her how much you love her, okay?”
Alex nods and finally takes a sip of the tea, then winces and erupts into a cough. “How much alcohol did you put in here?”
Eyeing the mug, I shrug. “I dunno. Maybe too much for a fourteen-year-old, but from the looks of you, you need all the help you can get to relax a little. Just don’t tell her, okay?”
Finally, a semblance of a smile creeps across his face and he nods. “You’re kinda cool.”
“Not as cool as your Mom,” I point out.
“Yeah,” Alex agrees. “No one is as cool as my Mom.”
“You’re so right, kid.” I ruffle his hair and something squeezes in my chest, the same thing that unlocked the moment I learned the truth. Telling him I’m his father feels so low down on the list now but if I can do anything to make him feel better, it’s a start.
A soft knock on the door diverts my attention to Toph in the doorway. “We’re good to go,” Toph says. “You ready?”
“Where are you going?” Alex asks immediately.
“We’re going to get your Mom back. You’re going to stay here. Bree is friends with your Mom and she’s putting people in placeto protect you, so as long as you don’t make any more phone calls, everything will be fine, alright?”
Alex grimaces and guilt flashes in his eyes, then he nods. “I won’t.”
“Okay. Stay here, I’ll be back soon.” I pat his leg and rise, then leave the room. As soon as the door closes, Toph and I hurry together down the hallway. “Walk me through it, Toph.”
