Sighing, I started following the directions. “Where did you get this truck?”
“A friend of mine left it there for me,” she said evasively.
“A friend,” I repeated, unable to keep the skepticism out of my voice.
“Yes, a friend. Don’t sound so surprised.”
“Mom, I know every single friend you have, and none of them would have left a truck for you to sneak out in. Not right now when they know you’ve just had surgery.”
“Lexa, by now, you should know I have friends, and then I have friends. Big difference, baby girl. Trust me.” With a wink, she turned on the radio and scanned through the channels until she found a classic rock station.
Shaking my head at her, I focused on driving, fighting a grin.
It wasn’t until I was pulling up in front of an older, one-story house that I even guessed where we were. The police car in the driveway gave it away.
“Shit, Mom,” I groaned. “This is Murphy’s house, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is. Drive down the block a bit. We’ll walk back through those trees over there.”
Not for the first time, I blew out a heavy sigh, but I did as instructed. I drove several houses down, and then we sat for a few minutes, making sure no one drove or walked by before getting out. Mom led the way into the bank of trees that went along the backs of the row of houses, using her phone to see by.
Sticking close to her, I debated calling Dad to snitch on her, but I quickly vetoed that option. Whatever Mom was going to do, she would do it whether my dad made threats or not. And I honestly couldn’t handle the backlash of her being upset with me even if I did call him.
Plus, I kind of wanted Murphy to get whatever punishment Mom dished out.
When we reached the one-story house again, I realized there was a six-foot privacy fence encasing the backyard.
“Give me a boost,” Mom whispered.
I helped her so she could see over the fence, and for a few minutes, she scanned the yard before telling me to lift her a little higher so she could climb over. Once she was on the other side, I jumped up and over it. My height came in handy on some occasions, it seemed.
My landing was anything but perfect, but Mom caught my arm, steadying me. When I started to thank her, she put her finger to her lips, indicating for me to keep quiet, then nodded toward the back porch.
Nodding, I fixed my shirt and followed her as she stealthily moved to the rear door. It was a sliding French door that led into the kitchen, and of course, it was locked. That didn’t hinder Mom any, though. She pulled something from her pocket, and I watched with my mouth gaping open while she picked the lock.
Two minutes later, the door slid open silently, and we entered the house.
The sound of male laughter alerted us to where Murphy was, but it also gave me pause. He wasn’t alone. At least one other man was with him, from what I could tell. Mom and I locked gazes, and she shrugged, letting me know she had no idea who else was there.
“Santino’s men will be here tonight,” a voice I only vaguely recognized said through his amusement. “They’ll take the whole house by surprise and get the girl. I told him not to leave a single one of them alive.”
The laughter came again before Murphy spoke. “What’s he planning on doing with the girl?”
“Why?” the other man jeered. “You want a turn with her before he gets his hands on her?”
“Damn, man, have you seen her? That body is perfect even if the scar turns my stomach.”
I froze in place, realizing he had to be talking about me. That could only mean they were talking about this Santino guy breaking in to my house and killing my family.
Mom reached back, her fingers cold as they clutched at mine. But even as she locked her hand around mine, I saw the gun she pulled from a holster strapped to her ankle.
“Of course I want to have a turn. See what all the fuss is about since fucking Davis can’t stop freaking out over the bitch,” Murphy continued.
“Wouldn’t mind a round or two with her myself,” the other guy told him.
My stomach turned as they so casually talked about raping me like I was nothing more than a sex doll they wanted to put their dicks in. I felt Mom starting to shake, and I knew her rage was about to cause complete mayhem.
Knowing I couldn’t let her do it without a weapon of my own, I glanced around the kitchen. Spotting the knife block, I grabbed the biggest handle, earning me an approving nod from Mom.