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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LILY
I'm barely keeping it together.
Everyone is working hard to find Blake, but this is all my fault. If he hadn't gotten mixed up with me, this wouldn't be happening. I didn't tell anyone, but I got a text from Ted telling me that he wants me to meet him, and he'll exchange Blake for me.
I look around the apartment. No one is paying attention to me. Noah has their security team and the cops trying to find Blake. They've been tracking the van that took him. So far, they've watched it leave the city, but it's slow going since there aren't many cameras further from the city.
My phone buzzes again. It's an address. Ted seriously thinks I'm going to meet him. It buzzes again, and this message really gets my attention. If you tell anyone, I'll kill him.
No, no, no! I scream in my head. I can't let that happen. I get up off the chair I've been sitting on and make my way to the elevator. I grab my purse and take the elevator down to the lobby without being seen. Everyone is focused on the computers.
I make it out of the building. Cops are all around, stopping people from coming in, but not going out. I walk down the street for a couple of blocks before I hail a cab. I slide in and give the cabbie the address. This is a bad idea, but I don't have a choice. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to Blake. I love him and will do anything to save him.
Maybe I'll be able to see Blake one more time before Ted takes me away. Whatever he has planned, I'll go along with it until Blake is safe, then I'll try to escape. I wish that Ted and my sister had just run away together, instead of him being so fixated on me.
The cabbie informs me we are nearing our destination.
"Could you let me off here?” I ask. “I'll walk the rest of the way."
The guy gives me a confused look but doesn't say anything. Takes my cash and drives off. Thankfully, it's the middle of the day, because this place would give me the creeps if it were dark.
I look down the street to check the house where I'm supposed to be meeting Ted. I don't see anybody. I walk slowly toward the house, keeping my eyes peeled for any movement. I thought Ted might be out front waiting for me.
I'm a house away when I hear cars moving fast. I turn to see police cruisers roaring down the street. There have to be at least six cars flying past me and screeching to a halt in front of the very house I was walking toward.
The cops pour out of their vehicles with their guns drawn and converge on the house. It's like watching a movie, how the cops are talking between themselves while they surround the house. Some of them disappear behind it.
I hear a banging, like someone is breaking something down, followed by screams. I stand there watching the cops bust down the front door. More screaming and then silence. Police come out of the house with two guys who I've never seen before. Their hands are cuffed behind their backs, being led to the cop cars. Finally, I see Ted. He's screaming at them to let him go. He's flipping out as they’re carrying him. I've never seen him like this. He's a stranger to me. He fooled me completely.
It's over. I take a deep breath. But now I have to find Blake. More cops are coming out of the house, but no Blake. I begin to cry. Maybe he isn't here. Where is he? If I don't see him soon, I might lose it. I'm ready to have a complete meltdown when I feel someone behind me.
I turn to see Blake. His brothers are near.
"Blake!" I scream while running toward him. I launch myself at him when I get close.
He catches me and holds me close while I cry. I'm so happy he's okay. I bury my face into his neck. I'm so relieved he's not hurt.
"Where have you been? Why weren't you in the house?" I pull back and look at him.
I don't understand where he came from.
He kisses me on the forehead.
"I got away and called the cops. While you, my bad girl, took off on your own."
I should have told someone about Ted's text, but I didn't want Blake to get hurt.
"I’m sorry," I tell him.
I look down at the ground. I can't look him in the eyes. I should have said something, but I didn't because I was trying to save him.
"Never do that again. Lucky for you, my brother noticed and had you tailed."
I look over his shoulder. His brothers are smiling at us.
"It's my fault this happened. If I’d never have met you, this—"
He doesn't let me finish my sentence. He kisses me instead.
"None of this is your fault. The blame belongs to Ted."
He pulls me back into his arms and holds me tight.
