Page 68 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

Lily pulled to a stop in the driveway, then parked. She reached for the door handle, but I stopped her with a hand on her arm. She threw a look at me over her shoulder, a myriad of emotions flashing across her face.

Confusion. Anger. Resentment.

I retracted my hand. It felt so natural to continue the silent communication that we’d adopted over the past week, but she deserved more. I cleared my throat. “I’m going to check the house. Stay here.”

Just as I had for the past few days, I canvassed the house, making sure that no one was waiting inside or hovering near the woods. Once I was sure it was safe, I returned to the driveway.

Lily stared straight ahead, hands wrapped around the wheel, seemingly lost in thought. She started a little when I rapped softly on the driver window. Her face turned to me, expression now blank. I couldn’t help but wonder exactly what she was thinking.

She moved slowly as she climbed from the car, then headed toward the front door. Inside the house, she set her things on the kitchen table and stood there, looking lost and helpless. It tore at my heart. I knew I had no choice but to tell her the truth, but we weren’t out of danger yet. Just because Araña’s men hadn’t shown up at her house yet didn’t mean they wouldn’t.

“Lily.” Her gaze jerked to mine, and she visibly jumped at the sound of her name. “If the man I followed today is one of the men who held me captive, there’s a good possibility he followed us back here.”

She stared at me uncomprehendingly, and I cleared my throat. “We can’t stay here.”

She paled, her eyes going wide as I continued, “I need to you to pack some things. We’re going to stay at the lodge tonight.”

Her mouth dropped open in indignation. “What the hell for? We’ve stayed here the past week and everything was fine.”

“That was before I saw him,” I replied patiently. “Now that I know they’re in town, I can’t take the risk.”

Her chin notched upward, her face set in a mulish expression. “You can’t force me out of my own home. I won’t let you.”

“You will do exactly as I say.” I advanced toward her. “Go pack your things, or I will do it for you. You’re leaving this house if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out. ”

Her eyes narrowed to slits, the irises practically shooting blue fire as she glared up at me. “Make me!”

I tipped my head as I studied her, one brow arched upward. “I strongly suggest you go pack. But if you would rather be naked, that’s fine too.”

Her eyes widened in shock, and her face twisted into a mask of disgust. “I despise you.”

The insult stung, but I pushed it down. All that mattered was keeping her safe. “You have five minutes, then we’re leaving.”

“You asshole.” She shoved at me, and I fell back a step.

“Better get moving. We’re running out of time.”

She pinned me with another glare, arms crossed over her chest. I regarded her calmly, but my heart raced in my chest. I shrugged. “You’ve seen me naked. It’s only fair that you return the favor.”

My cheek stung as her palm whipped out and connected with my flesh. “You’re disgusting.”

I didn’t look at her, but the rushing of blood in my ears mingled with the sound of her footsteps as she stomped out of the room. It was better this way. Let her hate me.

If we kept some distance between us, there was a chance we might both escape unscathed.

Fifteen

LILY

To say I was furious was an understatement.

I glared at Smith, who stood just off to my right as we waited for the line in front of us to dwindle. Part of me understood where he was coming from. If the men were truly after him, it would be safer for us to stay here at Briarleigh.

But I hated the thought of running away and abandoning my house to those psychopaths. I needed to reach out to Eric. The sheriff would know what to do.

As I stood there in line, it dawned on me that Smith didn’t have a dime to his name. I would have to shell out several hundred dollars for a room I didn’t even want.

I huffed out a mirthless laugh. Figured. He’d stormed into my life like a bull in a China shop, smashing my quiet existence to smithereens. He would wreak all kinds of havoc on my life and checkbook, then disappear when it suited him.

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