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"I live next door. Is there something I can help you with?" Marshall questioned.

"Nope, I'm having a conversation with my ex-girlfriend. You can mind your own business."

Marshall looked at me, waiting for me to let him know what I wanted him to do. I shook my head, begging him with my eyes not to leave. Marshall looked from me to Brett.

"Well, Brett. I think I heard her tell you to get off her porch, which means your conversation must be over. I suggest you listen to her."

"Or what?"

Marshall didn't answer him. He stood there, at the bottom of the steps with his hands at his sides and shoulders relaxed, staring at him. I watched Brett standing there, probably wondering if pushing Marshall further and creating a confrontation was worth his time. Marshall didn't back down, and it surprised me when Brett dropped the flowers onto the porch and walked down the stairs, stopping to look at me.

"Guess you'll figure it out, Lillah."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I questioned.

"That when it doesn't work out with the rookie, you know where to find me."

He took off past Marshall, coming close enough to brush up against him so their shoulders touched, and he headed across the driveway to his rental car. He'd flown all the way here to give me a speech about how he was the better man for me. The effort and planning of that sent nausea rolling through me.

He started the engine and put the car into reverse leaving my driveway. Soon the sound of his engine was gone, and the only thing I could hear was the birds chirping. I stood there, shaken, adrenaline coursing through me. I gripped the doorframe and took a deep breath, waiting for it to pass.

Marshall came up the steps slowly and stood in front of me. His eyes searched mine, trying to figure out what I might need from him. He waited to see if I needed to be held or wanted space, the way I'd asked him to.

"Are you okay?" he asked, quietly, still not touching me.

I nodded, but it wasn't true.

"Do you want me to…"

I shook my head, "No." I answered.

He didn't need to ask because I already knew what he wanted to know. I didn't want him to call the police, and I didn't want him to go after him. That would cost him everything and was too high a price to pay for someone as horrible as Brett. "No, he is gone."

Marshall clenched his jaw.

"Come over to my place tonight. We can order pizza. We don't need to talk about it. I don't want you to be alone. Bring Cooper and a bag."

I nodded. I wasn't sure I could talk to him yet without breaking down. He reached out slowly, giving me time to pull away, but the moment his hand found mine, I felt more at ease.

"Want me to come in for a while?" Marshall questioned. "Maybe make you some lunch?"

"No, it's okay. I know you got home, and I have a call I need to be on shortly."

"Okay, see you soon. I'm gonna go shower." He said, leaning in to kiss me before turning and heading down the stairs.

I watched as he jogged back over to his place and then I bent down and picked up the roses from the porch, heading inside and dumping the flowers right into the trash without thinking twice.

I moved over to the couch where Cooper lay and rested my head against him. The warmth of his body comforted me as I snuggled into him. Then I buried my face into his fur and cried until I felt his wet nose against my arm.

I'd left Brett once, in the middle of the night. I had rebuilt my life, and I'd found a man who made me feel things I'd been afraid to feel. Brett could show up at my door with all the flowers he wanted, every single day, for the rest of his life. That wouldn't change anything. I was done being afraid, and I was done with him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MARSHALL

I'd been furious most of the afternoon. The anger started low in my gut and burned through me, but I knew I had to let it go. Instead, I'd kept watch on her place all afternoon after Brett had left, making sure he didn't return. I'd wanted to follow him, find whatever hotel he was staying in, knock on the door and teach him a lesson. I wanted to tell him that if he ever came within a hundred yards of Lillah again, he'd have me to answer to. But I'd promised her, and I'd promised myself.

Lillah arrived a little before seven. I'd pulled out the lavender candle my mom had given me and lit it. I wanted to make sure she felt warm and safe, but when I let her in, she was quieter than I'd ever seen her, which worried me. She stood in the living room in leggings and one of my Enforcers sweatshirts that I'd left at her place, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Cooper stood beside her, on his leash, wagging his tail. She looked exhausted.