Mac (Riders of Apollo #8)

Chapter Fourteen: Mackenzie Grant

I watch Eva leave, feeling completely devastated that I can't help her. I felt everything she felt as she watched Riley interact with a woman that was never there for her. I feel her anger now as Riley brushes off the odd encounter and carries on talking to her mother like she hung the moon and stars, when really that was Evangeline. 

Saviour grabs my arm and yanks me out of the room, probably for both of our sakes. I know she saw the interaction with different eyes than Riley and she can likely tell how pissed off I am. "What's going on?" Is all she asks, the second my office door closes behind us. "Why was she speaking to Evangeline like that?" I take a deep breath and lean my head back against the wall as she starts to pace. "Mac, Eva looked devastated. Sonya spoke to her so horribly behind that stupid smile and you know why." 

"Lot's of reasons, most likely. Sonya doesn't like that Eva did everything for Riley, everything." Is all I can really say. I'm not going to divulge things that Eva told me in confidence even if she didn't ask me to keep it to myself. I saw how upset she is with everything and I don't think it's my place to tell Saviour all of that.

"I have a feeling I'm not going to like Sonya, am I?" 

"No, you're not." After the both of us take a few minutes to calm down with the help of some vintage scotch, we head back out to the lounge where Lexie is ironing out the details for the wedding. It's happening in our garden, just like Hunter's wedding, as it's large enough and private enough for all of us. 

People are less likely to launch an attack on a very well protected club compared to a church out in the open. Besides neither Riley or Boulder are religious, after Boulder's upbringing I'm not surprised at all. Harrison is in my seat with Sonya in his lap and I want to punch something. It's my chair, I've been here for over three fucking decades and that chair has always been mine. 

I look at Bear who just gives me an awkward shrug as Harrison asks question after question. Bear gives him vague answers considering the idiot is law enforcement and we can't risk him running his mouth to the Feds, Bear doesn't care about his relationship to Riley so he will remain wary of him for every second he's here. 

"Hey Mac, do you know when Eva's coming back?" I can see Saviour tense in my peripherals as Riley asks me the question, Sonya's eyes coming to land on me too as she dares me to say something she doesn't want to hear. 

"I'm not sure." I'm not lying, I don't keep constant tabs on her and neither does she. Even if I did, I wouldn't say anything. Riley immediately looks at Romeo, who rolls his eyes. He pulls up security footage of her getting into a town car with one of the men from her dinner party the other day. 

"Looks like a business meeting, Riley. Just like she said." Saviour's tone is casual but I can feel the intent behind it. Both of them love Eva a lot and Saviour feels Eva's betrayal, aiming it at Riley. I know Riley picks up on it, her brow furrowing slightly before she brushes that off too. 

I understand Eva's anger now, though it can't just be directed at Sonya because Riley also excuses her behaviour at every opportunity. I feel the need to leave the room as well, my chest tightening and Saviour feels the same. "Wanna go somewhere, Mac?" Saviour looks over Reign's shoulder at me and I nod tersely. 

We both walk out the front and she debates on whether to drive or ride on the back of my bike. In the end, she climbs on the back of my bike and we head to Lucia's mansion because Saviour wants to see her and I wouldn't mind eating a four course meal cooked by five star chefs. "I am so pissed, Lucia!" Saviour shouts the minute we cross the threshold, the guards checking us for weapons and bombs like they usually do.

"What has happened?" Matias walks in just behind a concerned Lucia and comes to shake my hand. 

"Riley's mother is in town." Matias flinches at that, causing both women to look at him for an explanation. He's not held to the same promises as I am so he leads the three of us to the drawing room and I settle into the armchair, grateful for the seat now that mine has been taken. 

He explains everything I know, about how much Eva has done for Riley at her own personal cost. Both Saviour and Lucia are on the verge of tears by the end of the story, just like I felt the first time. "I don't understand, why doesn't she just tell Riley? I would rather know that my mother is a bitch who abused and neglected me for years than think she's God's Gift." Saviour growls out, probably thinking about her own experience with her parents.

While she has reconciled with the both of them, we were attacked by her father a long time ago but because no one on our side died, Saviour found the strength to forgive him and so did Marie. "Would you still love the person that told you? The person that completely obliterated the relationship with your final parent that you're convinced is the best person on the planet?" Matias tries to convince Saviour of Eva's reasoning for another ten minutes before she concedes.

"Maybe that is why Riley's siblings left. They loved their father and they were close with Riley but maybe she would not listen to what they said about their mother. It is not like she was good with them either, except maybe the eldest." Lucia lays out, rubbing Saviour's shoulder as they comfort each other.

I'm grateful that I never had to go through this with Reign. He was in desperate need of a father figure and I needed a child after mine was taken away from me brutally. He and I have never had to worry about his parents because they've been gone for so long and he's always known everything I've done for him and he's always appreciated it all. I love that boy and I couldn't imagine holding information that could potentially destroy our relationship.

He's my son, my boy, and I wouldn't give him up for anything. So, I understand where Eva is coming from, I always have, it just hurts me to see her in so much pain without being able to fix it. 

I just wish I could help her more, give her more and make her feel alive again rather than just survive her life. But there's nothing I can do but be here whenever she needs me, however she needs me.