Page 33 of Sheltering Lily

I expected that Lily and I would be further interviewed about Stout and his associates. “Jesus, what a mess. But at least they can’t hurt anyone else now.”

“No chance of that. From the sound of things, they’ll all be going away for a long time,” Zach said as the doctor entered the room to stitch the wound closed.

It was late by the time Zach drove me home and picked up Carolyn and Austin. The boy was sound asleep as Zach put him in the car seat before waving goodbye. I closed and locked my front door once they pulled out of my driveway. Out of habit, I began checking windows to ensure they were locked.

“I already did that,” Lily said softly from behind me. “Twice. You should sit.” She’d disappeared into the kitchen when I’d arrived home, and I hadn’t heard her return.

“I’m fine,” I said. My bandaged arm looked worse than it felt, with the thick layer of gauze stretched around the sterile pad.

“Just relax on the couch, and I’ll get you something to drink. Are you hungry? You probably didn’t get any dinner. I could…” She was nervous around me, making me regret what had happened between us.

“Lily, I meant it when I said I was fine. Trust me, I’ve walked miles with far worse injuries.”

“Please sit down,” she said, exhaustion showing on her face.

“Only if you join me.” I gave in to her request, but I wanted to make sure she was all right before we parted for the night.

“If you like,” she agreed, walking ahead of me to the couch and taking the cushion on the opposite end. I sat in the middle, unwilling to have a gap between us. I didn’t know where our conversation would go, but I wanted to be near her while I could.

“Are you okay?” I asked after she’d fussed by putting a throw pillow under my injured arm.

“I’m fine. I wasn’t the one who got hurt,” she said, giving me a small smile.

“Not physically.” But there were many kinds of hurt.

“When I first heard Stout enter the basement, I thought it was you, but then I heard him talking and it sounded like he was tearing the place apart. I needed a weapon, but everything I could think of to use was in the other room.” Lily wrapped her arms around her torso, and her eyes had a faraway look. “I admit, I was shaking with fear when Stout entered my bedroom. I was afraid of being trapped in there with him.” She shuddered, making me want to hold her and soothe away the bad memory.

“You found a good use for your art,” I said, hoping my comment would draw her interest. The heavy sculpture of a human form had made a good club.

“When I made that piece,” she said, “I didn’t realize it would double as a weapon. Ironically, it’s the best artwork I’ve produced. And it didn’t even get damaged.”

“It’s definitely the most practical,” I said, and her eyes dimmed slightly. Damn, I hadn’t meant to insult her art. “And beautiful,” I added.

“Thanks.” Her voice was low as she turned her face away from me.

I had to tamp down on my desire to take her in my arms. Would she come to me? Would she let me hold her as I had earlier in the day? What would happen if I told her how much I loved her? If she had that knowledge, would it change her plans, whatever those were?

But trapping her there wasn’t fair to her, so I steeled my heart and forced myself to speak of other things. “I suppose I should fill you in on the situation,” I said.

“Is John Stout in jail?” she asked.

“Locked up,” I confirmed. “You don’t need to worry about him for a while—or the other guy either.” I explained about their smuggling ring and all the charges that they were now facing.

She sighed. “That’s good news, at least.”

She swung her head so our eyes met. I could never excuse the way Stout had harassed and stalked Lily, but I understood how a man could be attracted to her, attracted enough to make some questionable choices. God knows I had. I’d gone into a relationship with her knowing it had no future, knowing it was counter to my own goals in life, unable to stop myself. Those thoughts roared through my head, but I didn’t say them. I was recounting the facts for her to reassure her that this was all over.

“I should have done more to make sure you were safe here. If I’d been more careful, I could have ended this mess sooner.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Lily declared, leaning closer to me. “Not at all. You saved me today. I may have clubbed Stout over the head, but I couldn’t have escaped both of those men.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate yourself,” I said, but I was damn glad I’d been there anyway. I didn’t want to think about what might have happened to her if Stout had gotten to her. And since he’d been planning to go on the run, there’s no telling whether I ever would have been able to find her. I might still be losing her to the internship in New York, but at least I’d know that she was safe and happy. That was what really mattered. “I guess that’s it.” I didn’t want to go to bed, not without her, but that phase of our relationship was over. Before I could rise, though, she caught my arm, preventing me.

“I have something to say,” she said. “This might not be the best time, but I don’t want to wait any longer.”

I steeled myself, waiting for the inevitable and wondering why it had to be tonight. I knew what was coming. She was officially giving me her notice that she was leaving. And I was going to have to let her go, even wish her well. Christ, that was going to be hard. “Okay.”

“I’ve been struggling with the decision about the internship. A few months ago, I would have dropped everything to go,” she admitted. “But now…” She focused on her hands, clasped in her lap, while she spoke. “Now, everything has changed.”

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