King for a Day (The King Trilogy #2)(27)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

I couldn’t believe this was where it was all going to end. There had to be a way out. There had to be. But just in case, I had to see my parents one last time.

CHAPTER TEN

11:45 A.M.

When I walked into her hospital room, my mother was sitting up, reading in bed, her blonde hair in a short ponytail.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, trying my best to sound cheery.

“Mia!” Her smile lit up the room for a brief moment until she caught my obvious signs of distress—red eyes, frazzled appearance, and, no doubt, a look of defeat on my face.

“Baby, what’s the matter?” she asked. “And why are you still wearing the same clothes from yesterday?”

I looked down at my body. I guess I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. After I’d gone to see Miranda, I threw back on my jeans and red sweater. I really needed to go home—aka my parents’ house, where I was now staying—and have a long, hot shower and one last meal before 10 Club came for me tonight.

I feel like an inmate on death row. Lord, this is awful.

I sat next to her and tried to hold in the hysterical scream. “Yeah. I forgot to do laundry. Been really busy.”

She shook her head. “Don’t lie to me. What’s the matter?”

I sighed. “Nothing. I just…got some really bad news today. About a job I wanted, that’s all.” I straightened my spine. “But I’ll be okay.”

She patted my hand. “Not to worry; you’ll find something soon. You’re smart and talented.”

Apparently, not smart enough. My life was about to end.

“I’m sure something will come along.” I sighed. “So, how are you feeling?”

“Great!” she said in a sweet, peppy tone. “Ready to go home tonight. I can’t tell you how much I miss my bed. And my own cooking. And sleeping next to your snoring father.”

I chuckled. “That’s awesome news, Mom. I know I keep saying this every time I see you, but I’m so happy you’re okay.” I could only hope my disappearance wouldn’t undo the progress she’d made, but I had to maintain hope that she’d make it through what was to come. With Justin and my father by her side, she had a chance.

I looked at my watch. It was almost noon. “Where’s Dad?”

“He won’t be back until later when it’s time to release me. He had errands to run.” She leaned in and whispered, “I think he’s planning a little welcome home surprise for me.” She winked.

I smiled. He probably was. My dad was that kind of guy, always sweet and thoughtful, and he worshiped the ground my mother walked on.

“And Justin?” I asked.

My mother looked surprised. “Didn’t Justin tell you? I thought maybe that was what upset you.”

“Uh-uh.” I shook my head no.

My mother took a shallow breath. “Do you remember a few weeks ago, when Justin told us his team in Mexico vanished?”

Justin hadn’t said much to my parents about it, other than he hadn’t been onsite at the time and that the police didn’t know anything.

I nodded yes. “How could I forget?”

“They found them,” she said. “They’re dead. Someone buried those poor men right inside the dirt they’d been digging in.”

“Oh my God.” I didn’t have to fake being surprised because I was. I hadn’t expected anyone to find them for months. Who had tipped them off? King? Justin? Another person? I guess it didn’t really matter. “That’s awful. Do they know who did it?” Because I did. It was Vaughn.

My mother looked extremely shaken. I’m sure she was thinking how Justin could have easily ended up being one of the dead. “Justin said they think a local group of rebels are responsible, but I wonder if it has something to do with the work he’s been doing with the government.”

Oh Lord. More lies. I felt buried in them now. King had shown up at my parents’ house several weeks ago to stop me from telling them that Justin had gone missing. King said that there was no point in saying anything because they’d just worry and we didn’t know what had happened. Really, he’d been concerned about my attention going towards two worried parents versus locating the Artifact. In any case, King told them that Justin had been working with the U.S. government down in Mexico on some narco crap and would, therefore, be unreachable for some time. It was such a crock, but King used his charming voodoo crap on them or something, and they bought it.

“I just hope Justin isn’t mixed up in something too dangerous.” She threaded her fingers together as if she were praying. “I tried to stop him from going back, but he insisted on leaving this morning to help the families bring back the bodies.”

I hung my head. Although the pain would be horrific, at least for the families the torture of waiting would finally end.

My mom sighed. “Those poor, poor parents. But I know Justin will do everything possible to help them. He’s such a good boy.eHH”

Was he? Then why hadn’t Justin told me he was leaving? He knew I was in trouble. It just seemed so…so…unlike him to take off like that. I wonder where he really went?

Then a horrible thought sideswiped me. Oh no. God, no. I hope he didn’t go to see Vaughn to make a deal for me.

I felt a sour lump in my throat. “I—I—I’m sure Justin called to tell me all about it; I just haven’t listened to my messages.” I didn’t know what else to say. I was seriously worried. And confused. And I needed to say goodbye to my mother before I had a mental breakdown right in front of her. Because if Justin had gone against my wishes and landed himself in trouble again—Ugh!—I wouldn’t be there to help him.

I put on my game face and tried to remain calm. “Hey, Mom? Can you tell Dad…”

“Yes?”

I sighed. “That I love him, and I’ll call as soon as I can.”

My mother frowned. “Where are you going?”

“I have an interview in Paris,” I lied. At least this way, my mother could enjoy a few days at home before she began to worry.

“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful.”

I shrugged. “I’d been hoping to get something closer to home, especially now, but—”

My mother grabbed me and hugged me. “Is that why you were crying?”

I didn’t reply. Lying to her felt so wrong.

“Well, the one thing I’ve learned from all this, Mia, is that you have to live your life and enjoy every minute. So don’t ever let us hold you back. Got it? Your father and I want you to be happy.”