Köhler Lies and Deception Book 11 of The Köhler Series

Why Are You Back

"Ma, can we talk?" Melody asked as she walked up behind her mother. Adele gave her a heavy sigh but nodded and turned to her with a small smile. It made her hate what she had done to her family, but it felt damn good to be back home. "About?"

"Whatever you want to know." Again, Adele sighed, walking off for her to follow. Melody didn't know what she would ask her, but she was willing to talk. Her parents needed to know she loved them, and she didn't do this to hurt any of them. Melody was in a bad place, feeling bad because she felt that she betrayed her family, and she wanted something different. A life without the mafia, but that was proven to be difficult.

"I want the truth of why you made us believe you were dead. For four years, we grieved over you. Only to find out you pulled one of your Opa's moves. Who were you running from, don't give me any bullshit ass story about you wanting a life without the mafia because I know that's not true. You know, if you wanted to, all you had to do was ask for some time away."

"Ma—"

"No, you said you would talk about anything I wanted. I want to know what made you fake your death. I'm your mother, and I know when you're not being truthful. You can tell yourself it was because you slept with Ying Lee, and you wanted a life without the fear of looking over your shoulders, but I know it's all bullshit." Melody sighed as she sat back in her seat. She knew what she had told her mother, but she didn't know what to tell her now.

"I was ashamed that I cheated, but Ying Lee promised me things. Things I believed like a silly little girl. For months, he made me feel special, and then I found out he was married, and later on, the attacks on our family started. I didn't want to believe it was him—"

"Melody, sweetie, I really don't care about you sleeping with Ying Lee. That was years ago, and the bastard is dead. All I want to know is why you left the way you did." It was good to know her mom wasn't mad about the affair, but Melody was trying to find a way around the topic. It was easier for her to talk about other things besides that.

"King— You know what? I can't talk about this right now."

"Oh no, you can't speak my grandson's name and don't fucking talk. If there's something you need to tell me about him, do it now. We can't be hit blindly by something after what happened to your Father." She was right, but Melody didn't want to think about it. She left... she left to get away from the life. She had betrayed her family twice. Now, she was back, and her family wanted answers.

"I left for a normal life... I'm sorry. King's grandfather gave me a choice: walk away from everything I love or watch my son die the way his did. I... I couldn't bring danger to him, Ma. I didn't want to leave, but I knew he would follow me wherever I went, so I faked my death. I learned the hard way you can't run away from the mafia. It always has a way of catching up with you. I didn't bring danger back. I promise, I just missed my family, and the bastard is dead now."

"So, you put us through heart ache because of a weak ass gangbanger. Your Father or one of your brothers could've handled that for you. If this is true, why run when you know what our family is capable of? Girl, I swear it's nothing but lies spilling from your mouth." Melody glared at her mother. What more did she want her to say? Everything she told her was true... most of it. She did leave to protect her family, but it wasn't because of King's grandfather. Ying was a part of the problem, but she didn't want to talk about the other part.

"That's the truth—"

"Then you must think I'm dumb. After being in a mafia for over forty years, you learn to seek out the lies. Honey, I don't know what happened, but know you can talk to me anytime when you are ready to tell me the truth. I'll be here but be honest. Are you in trouble?" Melody shook her head while her mom gave her a small smile. She knew Adele didn't believe a word she was saying, and she knew why because she was lying, but she had a good reason.