The Unholy Trinity III: The Final Battle

Chapter Six

            “Now, let me do all the talking,” Simeon advised. “I don’t want any of you doing any talking unless I say you can, no matter what you hear.”

            Their party stood on the threshold of Machiavelli’s. Even though it wasn’t quite six yet, the parking lot of the restaurant was filling up fast. Fallon didn’t see her mother’s car anywhere, but she didn’t know if that was because she hadn’t arrived yet or she was coming with Elliot Church. The thought of her mother going anywhere with Elliot Church brought a frown to her face.

            When they entered the restaurant, the hostess didn’t even let them get to her podium. She almost tripped over herself running out to greet Simeon. As they followed her to their table, several female heads turned to take in Simeon and the twins. It wasn’t the first time Fallon had seen this happen, but it still drove her nuts. Both boys grinned at her, but she didn’t return the gesture. Fallon let out a sigh of relief when it was a waiter who came to take their drink orders instead of another giggly waitress. The relief evaporated when she saw the way the waiter appraised Simeon. It was the same awed look he’d just gotten from every other woman in the restaurant.

            “Give me a break,” she muttered.

            Simeon winked at her before his face became serious. Even without turning around, Fallon knew her mother and Elliot were coming their way.

            “I was beginning to wonder if you weren’t going to show,” Simeon said and got to his feet. “Nice to see you again, Gwen.”

            Gwen grimaced. “I can’t say the same.”

            Simeon’s lips twitched. “Elliot, you’ll forgive me if I don’t shake your hand.”

            “Forgiveness comes with the job title,” Elliot said, and Fallon snorted.

            Her mom and Elliot took the seats opposite Fallon and the twins. Though she’d been to Elliot’s church once, she’d never met him. Instead, she sat in the audience and watched as he mesmerized hundreds of otherwise normal people with nothing more than his words. Elliot looked a lot like Christian with his blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. The realization made Fallon’s stomach turn.

Her mom didn’t smile at her, but there was a hint of relief in her eyes. Fallon wasn’t sure what to feel as she stared back at her. In fact, she didn’t know if she even felt anything at all. It wasn’t that she hated her mom. Fallon wasn’t the same person her mom gave birth to. That was the person who loved her mom unconditionally. The person she’d become thought of her more as a nuisance than a necessity.

            “Does everyone know what they’re having?” Simeon asked as he picked up his menu.

            “We didn’t come here to eat,” Gwen snapped.

            Simeon smiled. “Suit yourself, but I plan on ordering.”

            “Do we really have to go through the pretense of the friendly dinner?” Elliot asked.

            “You mean this isn’t a friendly dinner?” Simeon mocked, and Fallon and the boys cracked up.

            Gwen glared at her. “You think this is funny?” she demanded, but Fallon stayed silent. “What? You’re not talking to me now?”

            Fallon glanced over at Simeon.

            Gwen turned her narrow eyed gaze toward him. “What have you done to my daughter you bastard?”