Page 10 of Lilly

"But you're an hour away."

"That's nothing. It's an easy drive. Maybe I'll bring Shelby along. Is Rachel coming with you?"

"Yes, and I know she'd love to see Shelby."

"Very well. Then I'll bring her along. I'll inform the Clinic that I'll be arriving soon to take over William's care."

"Thank you, Logan."

"You're welcome. Have a safe trip. We'll see you soon."

I put my phone away and talk to Grace. "Logan will be taking over William's care. He's headed there now."

"Dr. Cunningman?"

"Yes. So rest assured, William will be receiving the utmost care."

She shivers, even though it's very warm out today. "Pearce, I'm so worried."

I wrap my arms around her. "Everything will be fine. I'm sure this is all because William's been working too hard. He has too many responsibilities."

"About that." She pulls away and looks at me. "When you see William, I want you to have a talk with him. I want him to stop working for them. It's too much. Between the company and his responsibilities at the organization, he's working himself to the bone. This can't continue. It's not good for him. William won't listen to me when it comes to this. He won't even listen to Meredith. He'll only listen to you."

"Grace, you know I don't have that kind of power. Even if he wanted out, they wouldn't let him."

"I'm not suggesting he no longer be a member. I just want him to no longer be at the senior level."

I don't respond because I can't agree to what she's asking me to do. William and I worked very hard to get him to that level. It was risky and dangerous, but we did it because we needed someone good at the top. Those high-level positions tend to attract the members who are hungry for power and control. Men who think only of themselves and care nothing about their fellow members. When I was an active member, I tried to strip those people of their power, and in many cases I succeeded and I don't want to give that power back to them.

"We need to get going," I say, not addressing Grace's request. We walk back in the house and say goodbye to Garret and Lilly and the children, then they head home while the rest of us go to the private airport where my plane is waiting.

After several hours in the air, we arrive at the small town where the Clinic is located. It's one of many but not our best. The one in Connecticut, near my old house, is far more advanced in terms of treatments available. But I suppose this one will do until the doctors are able to diagnose what's wrong with him.

William's wife, Meredith, greets us at the front desk. She looks tired, her face pale, her eyes red. She's always been a very thin woman but she looks even thinner now.

"Meredith, honey." Grace gives her a hug. "We came as soon as we could."

"Thank you for being here." She glances at the rest of us. "It was so nice of you all to come." She opens her arms to Jade. "Jade, it's been too long. William and I have missed you."

"We've missed you too." She hugs her. "Garret had to stay home with the kids."

"How are they?"

"They're good. Abi and Hannah keep asking when you're going to swim with them again."

"Tell them maybe later this summer. William and I were hoping to make a trip out there, but now...I don't know if he'll be able to." Her voice trails off, her eyes gazing down at the floor.

I go up to Meredith and put my arm around her shoulder. "William is going to be fine."

She nods. "It's good to see you again, Pearce. Thank you for making the trip." She glances at Rachel and smiles. "Rachel, we need to have a girls' weekend again."

"We definitely do." Rachel steps up to her and hugs her. "I'm sorry, Meredith. I know it's hard when they're not giving you answers."

Meredith and Rachel became good friends after Rachel and I got married the second time. Rachel used to see Meredith at parties when we were first married, and sometimes they'd talk, but they didn't really know each other. After our second wedding, William and Meredith came out and stayed with us for a weekend and Rachel and Meredith became friends. Since then, they've had several girls' weekends, meeting at places all over the country.

"Pearce." I hear his voice and look over and see Logan walking toward me.

"Logan." I shake his hand. "Any news on William?"

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