Page 18 of Lilly

"I know what I said, and I believe they'll be safe, but I'm not taking any chances. I still have plenty of enemies within the organization, and with William no longer protecting us, we have to do it ourselves."

"What about Jade? And the kids? They wouldn't come after them, would they? I mean, if they came after anyone, it'd be me, right? Or Mom?"

"Most likely, yes. But if someone wanted to coerce me into doing something, it's possible they could target any one of you, including Jade or the children. But I'll do everything in my power to prevent that from happening."

"No!" I bolt up to standing. "You're not doing this. I'm not letting you put our entire family at risk."

He stands up. "It's too late. This wasn't my decision. William is the one who decided to step down."

"Why would he do that, knowing it could harm us?"

"I don't think he had an option. I think his health is failing more than he's willing to admit. There's no other explanation. He'd only do this if he were desperate."

"You said his health was fine. You said they didn't find anything."

"He still has symptoms. No appetite. Severe headaches. Extreme exhaustion. He can't run his company in that condition."

"Then he can quit his job and just work for the organization."

"Garret, there's no use arguing about this. It is what it is and it's over. He already told them he's stepping down and it's been approved. Hopefully, it's just for a few months."

My mom comes out to the patio. "Pearce, do you want to stay for dinner? Jade was going to order something in."

"No. Let's go home. I'm tired from the trip."

"Okay." She looks at me. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I force out a smile. "I'm just tired. The kids wore me out."

She laughs. "Your dad was the same way when I'd leave you with him for the day. When you were a toddler, you'd wear him out after a couple hours."

"Very true," he says, hugging her into his side. "We should get going. Why don't you go say goodbye to the children? I'll be there in a minute."

We wait until she's in the house, then my dad steps closer to me, keeping his voice down. "Garret, I'm sorry about this. If I could do anything to avoid this, I would. But William and I worked too hard to get the organization to the place it's at now and if one of us isn't keeping an eye on it, things could be much worse in the future. It could go back to being how it used to be, and if that happens, then it's possible they'd try to get you back."

"Yeah. I understand."

I get why he has to do this. I just wish he didn't have to. I was hoping all of this was over, but I should've known it'd come back to us. The organization is part of our lives and always will be.

He gives me a hug. "I'll keep you out of it. I promise. I promised you that the day you were born and I will keep that promise until the day I die." He lets me go. "I love you, son."

"Love you too."

He goes back in the house but I stay outside to get myself together. After hearing that, I'm feeling anxious and tense and I don't want the kids sensing something's wrong.

A few minutes later, Hannah runs out to ask me what I want for dinner, and when we go back inside, my parents and Lilly have already left.

Later that night, when the kids are asleep and Jade and I are in bed, I tell her what's going on. She listens quietly, not saying a word until I'm done.

"I knew it," she says. "I knew something was wrong. When we were out there, William wouldn't look me in the eye. He always looks people in the eye, so when he didn't, I knew something was up."

"Are you mad at him?"

"No. I understand why he has to step down. He didn't look good. He was so thin and pale and weak. He looked better today but that's because he was finally getting some rest. I know this is what Grace and Meredith want, but I don't think they've thought it through. I think they're so used to your dad not being part of it that they didn't even consider he'd have to go back."

"I didn't think he would either until my dad explained it. I'd forgotten that people at William's level aren't allowed at the regular meetings. And since William doesn't trust anyone at his own level to tell him what's going on, my dad has no choice but to act as his spy."

"So once your dad does this, did he say what could happen? To you? Or us?"

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