Miscreants: Next Generation (Badlands 8)

“I didn’t know if we’d ever see you again.”

His voice cracked.

My chest tightened so painfully, I closed my eyes and hugged him.

“I was always going to find a way back,” I swore.

He looked practically the same, but I could tell by his eyes that he’d been burdened by too much weight of the world. He still felt the same too. He was strong and warm—like he could protect me from anything. But that wasn’t his job anymore. I didn’t expect him to do so. I was here to try to make amends.

He stepped back and placed his hands on my shoulders. “You’re as beautiful as I expected you to be.”

“Thanks.” I smiled awkwardly. It was weird being praised by him after so long.

“You ready to see your mother?”

“No, but I need to.”

He gave me a lopsided smile and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me the rest of the way to the bungalow. I barely made it up the porch steps before the door was flying open. If my dad hadn’t been holding onto me, I would’ve been tackled to the ground below.

Suddenly, all I could smell was my mom’s signature fragrance. I knew she was crying from the wetness against my cheek. Or maybe that was from me. She was so small I felt as if I could lift her right off the ground.

“Let her breathe, Mavi,” Dad advised with a light laugh.

When she let me go, she still didn’t let go. She latched onto my hand and dragged me inside.

I felt mentally exhausted.

I knew tomorrow would be more of the same. Cam was supposed to arrive then, and he was really who I wanted to see most.

I walked with my parents to one of the extra dwellings, replaying everything in my head. My mom had asked a lot of questions. Some I couldn’t answer; others I wouldn’t. The offer to sleep in their home must have visibly made me uncomfortable, which is how we wound up where we were now.

“You love him?”

I withheld a sigh, eyeing the place I’d be sleeping that night. I had been waiting on this question. Both she and my dad had danced around the topic of Samael, being as indirect as possible. I wouldn’t lie to them about this. There was no need to.

“Yes, I do. He’s different from back then, but the same too.”

My mom grabbed my hand and squeezed it, the laugh lines around her eyes deepening with the sad smile she gave me.

“All you needed to say was yes, baby. You don’t have to validate your love to us. We know what it’s like more than anyone. None of us began as a fairytale. I don’t know him well, and I can’t lie and say I forgive him either, but if he makes you happy, he treats you right, and he keeps you safe in this hell, what more could I ask for? No one knows your heart better than you do.”

What the hell? Was she trying to make me cry? I squeezed her hand back and diverted my gaze to the ground.

If I started crying, she would start again too. They saw me off with a promise to come to their home for breakfast in the morning.

I watched them until I couldn’t see them anymore. I’m glad they understood that I needed time to re-coup without me having to come right out and say it. Still, their generosity added to the guilt I’d always felt from leaving. I think I could have handled their anger better than this compassion. I expected them to hate me and blame me for so much that went wrong. And for Brax.

Everything was the opposite.

What had I done to deserve this?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I was mortified when I looked in the mirror. I’d forgotten all about the bruise around my throat. It had faded significantly, but if you looked hard enough you could still see it.

I’m sure Mom and Dad had.

Romero and Grimm, too.

Was there a hole I could crawl into?

Hearing the front door open, I stepped out of the bathroom, keeping my towel cinched tightly around my body.

Samael walked in and immediately frowned. “The fuck are you doing?”

“I just got out the shower.”

“I could’ve been anyone.”

I rolled my eyes and went to sit on the bed. “No one in their right mind would randomly walk in here without knocking. Except for you.”

He kicked his boots off, then removed his shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m getting comfortable. You thought I would sleep without you because we’re here? Not happening.”

I was pleased with that. It already felt strange being here; I didn’t care to be alone too. He removed his jeans next, remaining in only his black briefs.

“How did it go for you?” I asked, patting the bed so he’d come sit.

“I learned a lot.”

I pursed my lips. “That’s not what I meant.”