Free Weston by Debra Kayn

sight, and stepped through the archway.
    Her mom stood between Tony and Lance. Mom’s perfectly arched brows creased and worry lines shadowed her eyes. Rocki sucked in a sob and hurried across the room, falling into her mother’s arms.
    “Oh God, I’m glad you’re okay,” Rocki whispered, hugging her mom tight to her chest.
    Tony pried the knife from her grasp, a grin on his face as he handed the weapon to Lance, who shared a smile with him. They could make fun of her all they wanted for being paranoid, because they’d brought her mom to her.
    Everyone was safe…for now.

Chapter Seven
    T he minute Rocki saw for herself that her mom was all right, she felt more in control. She opened the chamber on the revolver Tony handed her and breathed in a sigh of relief at once again having protection.
    Tony not only brought her security knowing her mom had another set of eyes on her, he’d proven rock steady in trusting her decisions.
    Rocki’s mom’s smile faded along with the red lipstick she always wore on her lips. At five feet, two inches, her mother appeared frail, but her inner strength shined through by the stubborn tilt of her chin and the short, chic hair she kept stark black with a bottle of dye every six weeks. Rocki nodded, trying to give her mom the strength to hang on and trust her.
    She’d protected them both for years, and realized she probably did more harm than good in this situation. The more aware her mom was, the better on guard she’d be…maybe.
    Confident in protecting herself, Rocki became vulnerable when the most important person in her life was also in danger. She had to think, and do it quickly.
    “You’ll be able to handle the size?” Tony asked.
    “Yeah.” She slipped the nine-millimeter into the waistband of her jeans. “Thanks.”
    “No problem.” Tony handed a cup of coffee to Mary. “There’s cream and sugar in the kitchen.”
    “Black’s perfect.” Her mother took the mug and patted Tony’s hand. “Thank you for helping Rocki. I’ve been worried sick the last few months, thinking of my baby out there without anyone to help her.”
    Rocki stilled. “Mom…”
    “What? I’m your mother. I worry.” She looked over the rim of the cup. “But you have a nice, strong, good-looking man taking care of you now. Everything is going to be fine.”
    She glanced at Tony, saw amusement on his face, and sat down on the couch. The situation was not all right. Darrell would use anyone to get to her and keep her from turning in all the evidence she’d uncovered. “Listen, we’re not here because everything went okay with—”
    “She’s right.” Tony hooked his hand around Rocki’s arm and hauled her off the couch. “You’re safe here, Mary, and we’ll let you relax.”
    “What are you doing?” Rocki asked, trying to pull away from him.
    “I’m sure your mom doesn’t want to be bored talking business. You’re together again, and that’s all that matters at the moment.” Tony smiled at her mom. “If you’ll excuse us, I’m going to debrief your daughter.”
    She scoffed. “Debrief?”
    “Go ahead, Rocki. You two go about your civic duty. I’m going to unwind and drink my coffee.” Her mother batted her eyes—yes, batted her eyes—at Tony. “Take your time.”
    Tony gazed at Rocki, full smile, loving the attention from her mom. She rolled her eyes, which only amused him more because he stepped so close their thighs brushed.
    “Come on, sweetheart.” He slipped his fingers into her hand.
    Rocki allowed Tony to drag her down the hallway, only because she couldn’t take the way he flirted with her mom to get her on his good side. At the bedroom door, she muttered, “Kill me. It’d be a lot faster.”
    Tony escorted her into the room, chuckling, and shut the door. She planted her fists on her hips. He obviously had no idea who he was working with, because no man, no private investigator, was going to take her case away from her, even if she needed his help.