“I’ll reach out to him and try to get him to the safe house. In the meantime, you stay there. I’ll make some arrangements to get you out of the country?—”
“What? No.” I sit taller on the floor, swiping at my wet cheeks. “I can’t leave the country. I can’t leave the boys, or…”
“Asher,” he finishes for me. “Look, hopefully it’s just temporary.”
“No, Barrett. I’m not leaving the twins,” I say firmly, and he sighs.
“Fine. We’ll figure something out. I’ve gotta go. I’m approaching the campus now.”
We say our goodbyes, and I’m left feeling so alone, much like I did all those years ago when I realised I couldn’t return to Australia.
My lip wobbles with more threatening tears, and I bite it to hold them back, not wanting to lose control right now.
I need to be on my game in case I need to run again.
Opening Asher’s message from before, I reply.
LILY: I’m okay. I’m sorry.
After I hit send, I wait for him to respond, but after a few minutes, I figure he might be busy trying to get away from the police since I stole his bike. Shaking my head at myself, I stand from the shitty carpet and toss my phone on the bed before dropping my arse to the end and staring at the TV.
Shit… I guess today’s a good news day.
A few more messages come through on my phone. One from Bonnie laughing at how the house on the news looks like mine. One from Alexander saying I’ve ruined his life. And then, one pops up from AJ.
AJ: You wanna know who ratted you out to the pigs?
My spine stiffens as I sit taller on the end of the bed and reply.
LILY: Was it you?
AJ: Nope. That would ruin my plans.
I roll my eyes. Of course it would.
I never actually thought it was AJ though. I didn’t think he knew Lily and the Crimson Angel were one and the same, but I guess now he does.
LILY: Who was it then?
AJ: This is better discussed in person. Where are you?
LILY: How dumb do you think I am? I’m not giving up my location.
AJ: So untrustworthy! Fine. I’ll find you.
I stare at my screen.
He’ll find me, will he?
Shit. He probably will. He found me when even my brothers couldn’t. And yes, Barrett helped run interference with that but still.
Tossing my phone aside, I scoot back on the bed until I reach the headboard and continue to stare at the media frenzy on the TV, right outside my house, as I wait to hear from Barrett that the twins are alright.
My thoughts return to Asher and his declarations.
He loves me. If he were any other twenty-year-old, I’d question if he even knows what love is, but this is Asher. Anyone who has been through so much shit would recognise love… right?
Shit, I don’t even know.
