CHAPTER 38
ASHER
Leaving was never an option. If Lily thinks she can push me out, then she’s going to get a surprise when she finds me still in her house.
I’m not dumb enough to be findable for when she returns though, so as Barrett storms from room to room, searching under every bed and in each wardrobe, I stay hidden in the roof cavity upstairs.
When I came back here after Lily told me she wanted me gone, I packed all my things, which fit into a single fucking backpack, and deliberately left some of my drawings for Lily to find. I raided the fridge and pantry for supplies, grabbed a bucket to use as a toilet, and then moved into the roof space on the second level.
I hear them talking for a while before Barrett leaves, and once he’s gone, I wait patiently for a couple of hours to make sure Lily is alone.
Then, I quietly lower myself down from the ceiling hatch, my feet landing quietly on the soft carpet outside the upstairs bathroom, and I remain in place for a few moments, listening.
The TV is on downstairs, the faint murmurs of a movie floating up the stairwell. Everything else is silent and still, almost like no one is home. But I know Lily is. I can sense her, feel her presence nearby. So with painfully slow steps so I don’t make a sound, I creep my way downstairs.
When I reach the bottom, that’s when I hear Lily. Her faint sobbing seeks me out like an invisible tether, sending a bolt of pain to the centre of my chest.
She’s hurting.
I don’t bother keeping quiet then. My mind controlled by my heart as my feet take me to where she’s slumped on the floor at the foot of the couch, one arm in a sling, my sketches scattered around her on the rug, and a framed picture of the twins on the floor next to her.
“Lily,” I rasp, her head immediately snapping up in my direction as I approach, the blues of her eyes barely visible past the tears streaming from them.
“W-what are you doing here?” She quickly scrambles up off the floor, and I notice the knife in her free hand.
“As if I would leave you.” I shake my head. “I fucking love you, Lily. If you want me gone, you’ll have to kill me.” My eyes dart back down to the blade she’s holding. “Why do you have a knife?”
“Why do you think?” she snaps, her tears no longer flowing, but her cheeks still damp.
“Were you planning on hurting yourself?” I ask, frowning in disbelief, which has Lily’s brows shooting up.
“What? No!” She curls her lip and takes a step towards me. “I have this with me in case I get any unwanted visitors.”
That’s my girl.
I hold back my grin, loving this fiery side of her. I love her alter ego that seeks to kill predators. I’ve never seen anything more stunning than when she kills.
“A gun would be a better option.” I step closer. “It allows you to keep distance between you and your attacker.” I take another step, and she raises the knife higher, showing me that she still thinks I’m the enemy.
“I told you to leave,” she snaps, her cheeks flaring in anger.
“I decided to stay.” I shrug.
“You need to leave,” she hisses, and fuck, she’s still the most beautiful creature to ever grace this Earth, even with her red, puffy eyes and blotchy cheeks.
“Or what? You gonna sick your big bad mafia cousin on me?”I tease, and she flinches. “Or maybe one of your brothers. Devon or Warrick? Or maybe your sisters? Jenaveve or Elise?”
Lily freezes, her eyes going wide.
“How do you know their names?” she whispers, shocked, and I smirk.
“The internet is an amazing thing for gathering information on people.” I shrug before continuing. “Or maybe you’ll send your parents after me. From what I read, Leon and Trinity Marx are ruthless.”
“Get out,” she hisses through gritted teeth, but I shake my head.
“Nope. I’m not leaving, Lily. I’mnotyour enemy.”
“It sure feels like it right now,” she snarls, but I shrug again.
