Where is my mother?” I yelled into the phone, my voice cracking, my fingers trembling as I clutched the device. My heart pounded so violently in my chest that it was all I could hear. I needed to know she was okay. I needed something—anything—to hold onto. I gulped down my breath to stay quiet.
“She’s holding up… for now,” Mateo said with a mocking calmness, like this was a game to him. “But don’t you want to know who the other special guest is?” What does he mean by another special guest.
I froze, my stomach fluttering.
“What do you mean—what other guest?” My voice was tight, my breath caught in my throat.
Mateo chuckled darkly, the sound crawling under my skin. “Let’s just say… I hit two birds with one stone.”
My mouth ran dry, my palms suddenly moist.
My phone buzzed with a notifi
