Page 30 of Liberating Lily

“I’m not sure you’re ready for that answer,” he told her. “Eat some more.”

“I don’t think I feel hungry anymore.” She was starting to feel frightened of him. Which was a normal reaction.

“You’re hungry, Lily. And you’re not scared of me.”

“I’m not? I don’t think you get to tell me how to feel.”

“I’m not telling you how to feel. I’m telling you that you aren’t scared because deep down you know I won’t hurt you. I wouldn’t harm anyone unless they deserved it.”

“Right, and what would they have to do to deserve it?”

“Harm you or my family.”

Was he serious? That was the line?

Could she even be upset about that? If someone harmed somebody she loved then she’d want to get rid of them too.

Of course the difference was that she wouldn’t actually do it.

“What about Rick? He isn’t going to be happy with you.”

“Eat.” He held up the next forkful of food and with a sigh, she took it.

“Well?” she asked after swallowing.

“I don’t give a shit what Rick thinks of me.”

“You don’t? I thought he was your friend?” she asked.

“No. I had my reasons for being close to him. Something I’ll explain later.”

“What if he tells someone that you took me? What if my mother does? Or James?”

“Well, they’ve all got their own issues right now, especially your mother and Rick. And considering that Rick is a selfish asshole, I doubt he’s going to ever say anything. He won’t want to look bad in front of anyone we know.”

Yeah, she guessed that was true.

“Your mother might make suggestions, might put up a fuss, but she’s definitely got her own shit going on as well. I doubt anyone is going to listen to her. Then there’s also the fact that you didn’t put up any protest when I picked you up. Anyone there can attest to that.”

“Did Clem look concerned?”

He stared at her for a long moment. “Yeah, she did actually, but I think she knows I’m the best person to take care of you right now. To get you healthy.”

“What if there’s no way of getting me healthy?” she said. “What if there’s no cure for what’s wrong with me?”

He leaned forward. “What is wrong with you? What did the doctors tell you that you needed those pills for?”

She shook her head. She didn’t want to tell him. “I just need them.”

He frowned and held up some more food for her. She took another bite, but she was starting to get full.

“I don’t like secrets between us, Lily. I’ll tell you that right now. And I’m very good at ferreting out answers, so you might want to think about giving them to me before I have to do that.”

“I just get upset. I can’t regulate myself and I hurt people.”

He shook his head. “I don’t believe that. You seem pretty regulated right now, and the only person you’ve been hurting is yourself.” He nodded down at her bandaged hands.

Wait. She’d done this to herself?