Page 14 of Lilly

"Since when have you ever known them to be fair and just and follow through on their promises? They said they'd stop tracking him and yet I know for a fact they're still doing so."

"Yes, they check in on him now and then, but it's only because he knows about us. They just want to make sure he never tells anyone. But I've made it clear they are not to go near Garret or his family or approach him or threaten him or do anything that violates our agreement. And they haven't."

"That could change if you leave your position. Right now, you're the only one protecting him and his family. Knowing you're in charge is what allows me to sleep at night."

"Pearce, I honestly believe they'll leave Garret alone, even if I step down. They don't need him. Now that we're able to bring in people from the outside, there's less focus on retaining sons of members. And that's all thanks to you. You're the one who started the initiative to recruit from the outside. That was a bold move, Pearce, and people still remember it. That's why the members still see you as a leader."

"I'm not doing it, William. I'm not taking your place."

"Then would you at least consider going to some meetings? If I'm temporarily stepping down, I need someone to be my eyes and ears."

"Why? You'll still attend the meetings."

"I can't. Someone at my level can't associate with the other members. If I want to eventually return to my position, I can't attend the meetings with everyone else."

"Yes, I forgot about that," I mutter.

"I'm not saying you'd have to go to all of them. Just enough to let me know what's going on."

I sigh. "Let me think about it. In the meantime, you need to find out if a leave of absence is even possible."

"Yes, I'll call them later today."

"Pearce?" I look up and see Rachel walking in. "Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know that lunch is ready." She smiles at William. "And your wife and mother have instructed me to tell you to rest."

He chuckles. "I may not survive a week at home with those two. Tell them I was just about to take a nap."

"I will." She looks at me. "Pearce, are you coming?"

"Yes." I get up and follow her to the door.

I'm going to have to tell her I'll be attending meetings again. She's going to be furious. Doing this means going back to a time in our history we'd rather forget. Back to the people who tried to kill her. Tried to take our son.

We've spent the last seven years trying to stay away from them, and now I'm going back. William says things have changed, that they're different now, but it doesn't matter. I don't want any part of it. But I don't think I have a choice.

Chapter Four

Garret

"You guys up?" I knock on Lilly's door. She stays here so often she has her own room.

The door swings open and Hannah slams into my legs, hugging me, still wearing her pajamas. "Morning, Daddy!"

"Morning?" I pick her up. "It's almost afternoon." I kiss her cheek and smooth her hair which is sticking up every which way. "Did you guys just get up?"

"Yeah." Lilly appears at the door, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "What time is it?"

"Eleven. How late did you guys stay up?"

Abi sneaks around Lilly and over to me. "We had a princess movie marathon!"

"Remember when we did that?" Lilly asks. "You and Jade and me? It was the night of grandpa's memorial."

"Yeah. You were awake for like ten minutes and then you were out."

"So were Abi and Hannah. They were out by midnight. I stayed up until three."

"Watching princess movies?" I smile.

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