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“That’s it, Lily. Now. Come all over me.”
Unable and unwilling to deny him, Lily let go, her world splintering apart for a second time, the insane pleasure stripping her of all cognizant thought except one word –more.
****
Lily’s antagonist stayedparked at the end of the street, seeing the newly planted garden and truck at the curb, fuming at the injustice.She has no right to happiness, not after robbing me of mine.Knowing what they were doing, Lily happy and sated instead of worried or scared ruined all the fun of tormenting her. Night cloaked the street in darkness except for the lone streetlight at the other end of the block. An hour passed then two, and the rage built until it became all-consuming, pushing the tormentor into taking action. With a tight grip on the knife, the enemy Lily didn’t know she had quietly got out of the car and snuck up the street, careful to keep out of sight of any windows with lights shining. The misdeed only took a few satisfying minutes, long enough to inflict major damage and throttle back hot fury.
Now to plan Lily’s demise.
Chapter Eleven
Reed awoke early, pickedup his jeans and shirt, and left Lily sleeping in her bedroom. After dressing, he started a pot of coffee then left a note on the kitchen counter, telling her he would be right back. One of the perks small towns offered were small businesses no longer found in bigger cities, like the bakery a few blocks away. Lily was partial to their muffins and bagels with coffee.
The sun had just chased away the gray of dawn when he stepped out onto the porch, his relaxed, mellow mood evaporating the moment he saw the destructive vandalism to Lily’s SUV. Shock yielded quickly to fury, every muscle tensing as he stormed toward the vehicle to check the extent of the damage.A reckless teenager did not do this.Squatting in front of a rear tire, he examined the deep slashes that only a sharp, good-sized blade could make. All four tires were ruined by gashes several inches long, the Mazda’s frame marred with deep scrapes running along both sides, the lights jimmied loose, and the wiring cut.
His rage morphed into a slow burn and put on simmer to contain his volatile emotions. Grabbing his phone, he texted Brett and Slade, giving them a brief description, needing their help. The urge to strike out at someone before Lily awoke toned down with their fast replies. He sent another text on his way back inside, asking them to stop at the bakery first. Lily would need all the comfort he could give her.
She was pouring coffee when he entered, her hair swinging as she turned her head and smiled. “There you are. Where’d you go?” Carrying two steaming cups, she met him halfway and handed him one.
“Thanks.” He sipped, bracing himself for her reaction before answering. “I planned to run to the bakery but got sidetracked and asked Brett and Slade to swing by on their way here.”
“Your brothers are coming? Why?” She looked down at her loose gym shorts and T-shirt. “I should change.”
Reed snatched her hand before she could head to the bedroom and tugged her over to the sofa. “Wait, Lily. Sit down, and I’ll tell you.”
She surprised him when she yanked her hand free, her face getting that rare stubborn look. “Quit babying me and tell me what’s happened.”
“Fine.” He’d tried it his way, to talk to her in a slow, calm manner. Since she insisted, he would give it to her with quick bluntness. “Your Mazda was vandalized last night, all four tires are ruined, and you’re looking at a hefty repair expense with the other damage.Nowdo you want to tell me... Lily, wait!” He swore as she dashed to the door, heedless of the hot coffee sloshing onto the floor.
Reed set his cup down and followed, her pale, stunned face imprinted in his mind. She was quiet, maybe too quiet, walking around the SUV, running her fingers over the damage, her eyes remaining downward at the tires. He halted where the walkway from the porch connected to the drive, giving her space and a few moments to digest the loss and deliberate sabotage. Her body was stiff, her gaze smoldering when she looked up.
“The kid down the street didn’t do this.”
“No, he didn’t.” Reed went to her, relieved she’d realized that right away. He detected the worry and hint of fear in her eyes when he stood before her, the same look he’d seen before. This time, though, he could almost feel her body vibrating with the effort to hold back the anger he’d first detected. “You need to tell me if anything else has happened.”
“It doesn’t make sense, Reed.” Lily looked at her coffee cup as if she forgot she still held it then took a drink.
