Page 91 of Dirty Legacy

“There were threats. He came up with an alternative solution.” She gestures at the edibles. “Not ideal but I understand we’re guests in this house and I will do my best to behave.”

“Huh.” I watch her, stunned. I’ve never seen my mother give up her smokes before, not once in my entire life. She’d usually rather cut off her own fingers than let someone like Connor win.

But he went to war with her, stood up, and he won.

All for me and the baby.

My heart flutters. He didn’t even say anything about it either.

Connor saw a problem and he fixed it.

No discussion, no worries. Only action.

I like that.

I continue straightening until the place looks decent. It’s obvious why Mom gave in to Connor’s demands once I start thinking about it. This house is pure luxury: all her needs are met at all hours of the day. No fuss, no stress, no reason to get off her ass at all. It’s my mother’s ideal state.

That should bother me more than it does.

After all this time, I can’t get mad about it anymore. Dawn is who she is and she’s never going to change. Yes, she gave up smoking for the baby—but mostly for her own comfort, and mostly because Connor forced her to.

It’s strange having someone looking out for me, when I’ve always been the one putting myself after others.

As I place some dirty laundry in Mom’s basket, there’s a loud pop outside, like an explosion. I check the window and wander back into the living room. “Did you hear that?”

Mom doesn’t look over. “Hear what?”

Another blast. And another, and another. Louder this time. “What is that?”

“Fireworks. Didn’t that girl set some off the other night?”

“True, but⁠—“

This time, the house shakes. It feels like the floorboards tremble. I grab onto the back of the couch and even Mom perks up in surprise.

“I’ve been saying since we came here, this family is no good.” Mom takes a gummy, pops it in her mouth, considers, grabs another, and swallows both.

“Do you really need to get higher right now?” The cracks are sharp and quick and there seem to be noises in return. My brain keeps telling me it’s fireworks, only fireworks, nothing to be worried about, but another part of me isn’t sure at all.

That sounds like gunfire.

“Nothing a good buzz can’t cure.” She flops back down. “Go check it out if you’re worried.”

I drift to the door, thinking that’s exactly what I’ll do. Connor left fifteen minutes ago for another meeting and he won’t be back for a few hours he said. But Deck’s here overseeing the guards and he’s got at least two dozen men or more watching the grounds.

No way someone could get through.

I make it to the hall when Rowan comes sprinting toward me in a panic. “Angie! Holy shit, Angie!”

“Hey, did you hear those fireworks? What’s going on down there? Did you⁠—“

Rowan grabs my arm. Her face is pale and her eyes are wild with fear. “Those aren’t fireworks.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dad’s trying to get us into the safe room but I wouldn’t leave you here. Angie, please, we have to run.”

I try to shake her loose but she holds on tight, her fingers digging into my arm. An attack? Right now? That makes no sense. There’s Deck… the soldiers…