Chapter 57

“My name is Hunter. It’s no trouble, ma’am.”

He glanced her way. Despite the tension between them, Kata couldn’t help but smile. “You won’t win this argument, Mamá. Trust me.”

The three of them made their way to the front door. Kata fished out her key, knowing that Gordon would only be more annoyed with them—and take it out on her mother—if they made him get off the sofa to let them in. He was a selfish prick who’d do anything to assure his own comfort. Her mother was a convenience for him, like an electric razor or a cell phone. And he behaved this way because Mamá was too lost to stand up to him.

Kata wondered if, after months or years of Hunter’s intensity, she’d be like her mother, resigned to taking the path of least resistance.

She pushed the front door open. Hunter followed her inside, her mother tight against his broad chest. She looked slightly gray, and it scared the hell out of Kata to think of leaving her here. What if Mamá didn’t recover because she did