My shoulders slump in defeat. I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have compared. That was a low blow.
Barrett’s jaw ticks, and he looks like he has so much to say about my dig, but it never comes.
“Look, I can see you obviously care about him,” Barrett sighs,pinching the bridge of his nose. “Is it new, or something that was happening before he went to prison?”
“It’s new.Sonew,” I admit, my eyes falling to the floor between us.
“Well, you gotta figure shit out before telling the twins.” He sighs. “If it’s only a fling, then maybe they never need to know.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. Even though I’m embarrassed that he found out, especially thewayhe found out, I’m also relieved thatsomeoneknows.
“In the meantime, we need to keep you alive. I don’t think there’s an immediate threat since no one knows you are Lily Marx…” He trails off, frowning, and I realise I just cringed. “No one knows you’re Lily Marx, right?”
“Well…”
“Well, fucking what?” Barrett snaps, and I throw my hands up in defeat.
“The text stalker knows. Remember?”
“The text stalker suspects. That’s a little different.”
“I’m pretty sure he or she knows.” I cringe, and Barrett’s glare turns so dark, I fear his pupils are about to blow.
“Lily, why are you sure? They just sent a few messages, didn’t they?”
“I, ahhh, may or may not have responded.”
Barrett’s glare drops. “You’re fucking with me?”
“I mean, I’d like to say I am given this turn of events, but…” I cringe again, and he holds his hand out.
“Give me your phone.”
“No.”
“Lily.”
“Barrett.”
“For fuck’s sake, this isn’t a fucking game. Someone wants you dead. “
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I snap. “Probably your dad.”
Barrett stills, his eyes narrowing. “You think my dad wants you dead?”
“He was the one who demanded I abort the pregnancy and return home. He was the one who turned my parents, and the whole fucking family, against me.”
“Not the whole family, and you’d be surprised, Lily.”
“About what?”
“Your siblings didn’t turn against you. They kept their distance to keep you safe.”
“Andyoursiblings?” I snap.
“The same thing, Lily.” Barrett steps forward, taking my hands in his. “If you want to come home, I fucking guarantee they’d all be thrilled.”
“What about Uncle Ewan?” I ask, and Barrett’s face falls. “That’s what I thought.”
