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LILY
The only party I’d attended in my life was Winnie and Kane’s wedding but I was having just as much fun tonight as I’d had then. All of our friends and Grayson’s family had dropped their plans and were here tonight to celebrate with us.
We’d scrapped our original dinner plans and ordered a bunch of pizzas, which Daisy, of course, had no problem with. Jo and Winnie handled appetizers and every available surface in the loft was covered in food and drinks. Mr. James was arguing with Mrs. James about how to connect his phone to the television so that he could start a slideshow of pictures from their trip. It seemed incredibly normal and happy tears had been in my eyes all night.
Daisy hadn’t stopped telling me stories and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I’d missed her so much while she was gone and I loved having her home again. Home. I looked around the living room that had become so familiar, this really was my home now. Daisy was over the moon when Grayson told her I’d be living with them and any concerns I had about how she would handle the change were gone.
“Hey, Lily, where are the cookies?” Benji shouted from the kitchen. I walked over to find him opening every cabinet without closing one door before moving on to the next. This was a pretty common occurrence. Benji was a great baker and my very best friend but he was definitely on the messier side while I preferred my spaces neat and orderly.
“I thought you brought them?” I started to close the cabinet doors and silverware drawer. Why would the cookies be in the silverware drawer? The cake that I’d made for Daisy was long gone and hadn’t been all that big to begin with considering it was originally for three people. Cookies were the only baked item we’d had on hand at the bakery and before we’d locked up, Benji and I had discussed bringing them to the party.
“Oops,” Benji’s sideways smile was adorable but he knew it got him out of trouble every single time and the mischievous glint in his eyes said so.
“I’ll go get them.” I snagged the keys for the bakery off the counter before I looked around for Grayson to let him know where I was going. He was still on high alert when it came to my safety and I didn’t want to worry him. But Grayson wasn’t in the room, actually no one that worked for Falls Security was in the room.
I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought about going to find him. More than likely they were all in his office, discussing a case. It happened pretty often considering half of them lived one floor away. Grayson’s home office was more like a central command center, with top-of-the-line equipment and access to all of the security cameras in the building. I didn’t want to disturb him for a quick trip downstairs, besides the bakery was just as secure as the rest of the spaces. Grayson had made sure of that.
“I’ll go with you,” Benji volunteered and I smiled gratefully, messiness aside, he always had my back. We stopped to tell Winnie where we were going just in case Grayson asked even though we’d probably be back in a few minutes.
“Wait for me!” Daisy skidded to a stop next to the door and slipped on her pink cowboy boots. I caught Winnie’s eye again and pointed down at Daisy and then the door to let her know we were taking her. Winnie gave me a thumbs up and we set off downstairs.
“I can’t believe you live with us now. We can have sleepovers in my room and stay up late watching movies. I’m so excited!” Daisy ran ahead of us to the stairs that led to the back of the building.
“I think Daddy’s going to be the one having all the sleepovers,” Benji said under his breath. I elbowed him in the ribs and coughed to cover my laugh. Daisy’s excitement was contagious. I was looking forward to all of the adventures she was planning for us just as much as the Grayson sleepovers.
We reached the exit door for the parking lot and Benji held it open for us, always the gentleman. It was a beautiful Texas night. The humidity was surprisingly low and a cool breeze lifted my hair off my neck as we walked to the rear entrance for the bakery.
“We still have those cupcakes that you massacred. We can grab those, too. They may look awful but they taste delicious, I ate three of them at lunch. Do you think Grayson would let me start using their gym? I feel like I’m getting fat and the best workout motivation will be seeing five beautiful people getting sweaty in the same room as me. Do they wear shirts when they work out? Please tell me none of them wear shirts.”
“I don’t know how I feel about you ogling my man. I’d hate to have to take you out, seeing as you’re my best friend and all. But yes, shirtless workouts are a common occurrence in the Falls Security Gym.” We devolved into giggles as he put in the code for the door and stepped inside to turn off the alarm.
Our alarm would stay silent for the first ten seconds before it let off the most obnoxious siren. We’d learned quickly not to drag our feet when we came in. I’d taken the door from him to hold it open for Daisy and that’s when I heard my name being called. The wrong name, the one I’d left behind four years ago.
“Ms. Barrett?” I turned without thinking and saw the same man who’d visited our trailer years ago, the man in the security footage Grayson had shared with me. He was older, graying a little at the temples and lines starting to form on his face but there was no denying it was him. He was wearing a dark suit and shirt, his black loafers shiny and expensive looking. His nonchalant look slowly transformed with dark triumph when I realized my error.
Stupid, Lily. You’ve been so careful all this time.
His right hand lifted and began to reach inside his jacket and my entire body began to tremble. In the next moment he’d produce a weapon and I’d either be dead or kidnapped.
“Lily?” Daisy, my amazing, sweet Daisy whispered, sounding so scared as she tugged on my hand. She was smart and Grayson had taught her well. She knew that something wasn’t right, that thismanwasn’t right. But I wouldn’t let him hurt her. She was just as much mine to protect as Grayson’s. In that moment I knew with every cell in my body that I’d die before I allowed him to get to her.
Acting quickly, I shoved her into the open door of the bakery and into Benji’s arms. Then I slammed the door on Benji’s devasted face, locking them both safe inside. He’d never be able to get to them without the code and there was no way in hell I’d give it to him. With any luck, Benji didn’t have time to turn off the alarm and the police and Grayson would know something was wrong.
“Now, why’d you go and do that?” He’d moved closer while I’d been focused on Daisy and I was momentarily frozen in place by both his nearness and his words. “I was supposed to take you both, he won’t like that I don’t have the girl, too, but I can’t waste this perfect opportunity you’ve given me.”
He reached out lightning fast and grabbed my ponytail in an unyielding grip, my head yanked back forcefully enough that I could feel the strands ripping from my scalp. Why did these assholes always go for the hair? Rage flooded my body and I kicked, bit, scratched—anywhere I could reach on him, I attacked. I refused to make this easy, each second I fought could bring help closer.
A sharp pain erupted in my leg and I looked down to see a needle protruding from my thigh. My legs collapsed beneath me and my hair was released as I fell to the ground with a heavy thud. My brain was screaming at me to run, save Daisy, get to Grayson, but my body was useless. He knelt next to me, smiling in the most terrifying way as my eyes drifted shut.
* * *
GRAY
We filed out of my office, each of us just as solemn as the next. This new information should make me feel better, we finally had a name for Lily’s stalker, but I felt restless instead. Agent Greggs had been surprisingly helpful, I got the distinct feeling that I’d misjudged him and the guilt I felt added to my restlessness.
He’d assured me that he knew a judge, someone who’d be safe to share this with, that would hopefully get us a warrant for Ashwood. I wouldn’t be able to relax until Ashwood and his sidekick were locked up and no longer a threat to my family.
For now, though, I wanted my girls, I wanted them in my arms and to reassure myself that they were all right. My eyes scoured the den, looking for Lily’s reassuring smile and Daisy’s bright enthusiasm. Searching, two, three more times was no use. They weren’t amongst the small group of people that were present.
