Malice

If what Nora’s saying is true, though, I was.

And if what she’s saying is true, Je

The more and more Nora speaks, the more and more I’m inclined to believe her, as crazy as her story sounds.

“Then where’ve you been all these years?” I demand. If she didn’t know we were alive, where did she end up? Why would someone want us dead?

“It doesn’t matter where I was,” she says, waving her hand as if shooing the question away. “What matters is that I found you. If it hadn’t been for Alex making national news with her little explosion last year, I’d have never known my sweet baby girl was alive.”

I stare at her for a moment as her words sink in. “Wait … you’ve known I’ve been alive for over a year? An-and you’re only now approaching me?”

She purses her lips, looking a little a

Her expression relaxes after a moment, however, and she answers, “Sweetheart, it was far too dangerous for us to meet face to face. I’ve done plenty to make sure you’re happy and safe, though. Don’t you worry.”

Happy and safe?

That’s an odd thing for her to say, and it does the opposite of what she’s suggested. I’m very worried now.

“What types of things have you done?” I demand.

“You don’t need to worry about that.” There’s a glint in her eyes that tells me she’s not above using nefarious means to get what she wants.

Just how far would she be willing to go, however?

“Oh, my sweet baby girl, I’ve missed you.” Nora moves towards me with her arms open, as if she’s about to hug me.

Instinctually, I throw my hands up and ward her off as I take a step back.

She freezes, her eyes flashing with irritation.

“I-I’m sorry,” I mumble, though I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for. My gut is telling me not to let her touch me. That something’s wrong.

“You won’t hug your own mother?” She doesn’t sound hurt. She sounds angry.

“We’ve only just met,” I try to explain. “You have to understand—”

“Do you not believe me?” she demands.

I raise my brows, startled by her hostile tone. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that I don’t … trust you.” I’m damn sure that wasn’t the right thing to say, but it’s the truth, regardless of if it pisses her off or not.

Nora stares at me, as though stu

“That’s fine. In the end, it doesn’t really matter if you trust me or not. I only need you for one thing, anyway.”

God, I’m an idiot. I almost fell for her façade too. Apparently, I’m so desperate for any morsel of maternal affection, that I’ve become a sucker. A perfect target for another stranger to take advantage of.

“So, everything you’ve just told me is a lie?” I rasp, and she laughs.

“Actually, no. Everything I’ve told you so far is completely true. Alexandra is my sister, and you’re my daughter.”

My anger explodes hot and deadly. “Then what the fuck is it you want from me?” I growl.

Her nostrils flare. “Alexandra really did slack in your upbringing, didn’t she?”

“Don’t you dare talk about Je

Nora snorts. “I highly doubt that. That meth lab explosion should be proof enough that she was a shit replacement, but I digress. You asked me a question. What do I want from you? Well, it’s rather simple, sweetheart. Money.”

I blink. “What money? Je

Nora barks out a laugh. “Jesus Christ, you little fool. I’m not after anything my drug-addled sister could possibly give you. I want the inheritance your father’s bitch of a mother left you. I want the money Benjamin is owed.”

“What?” My father’s family left me an inheritance?”

“Several millions.” She snorts when I stumble back, my eyes wide. “That’s just the tip of the diamond. You’ll get access to that the moment you graduate from Angelview and we prove who you are. We’ll get the rest of what we’re owed soon enough, but at least that’ll be enough to give the Angelles everything that’s coming to them.”

“The Angelle family?” My mind is whirling, trying to keep up with every twisted path her words are taking.

“What? You think that bastard Jameson came up with Night Owl on his own? It was Benjamin’s company. Benjamin’s family’s money behind it. The Angelles were nothing but an old name, good looks, and bad debt before that fucking company, and I want it all back.”

I swallow hard, afraid to speak because I’m sure I’ll vomit.

Nora doesn’t even notice. “I want an eye for a fucking eye. They took my life away, now it’s my turn to fuck with theirs.”

She’s insane. There’s no other way to put it.

“Why would you ever think I’d help you?” I finally manage, fighting the nausea churning in my belly. “Go to hell.”

“Oh, you talk a big game, sweetheart, but I still hold all the cards.” Her eyes move back to the woman who’d raised me. “You don’t have a choice other than to help me if you want Je