Page 20 of Ours to Keep

She shakes her head, some of her anger dissipating. “I can’t believe I never realised he’d hurt her, manipulated her. I feel so guilty,” she chokes out.

My guilt marries hers, and before I can think better of it, I pull her into my chest, and she wraps her arms around my back.

“I know. We do, too,” I admit. I glance over her head to Tommy who is watching us with the same remorseful expression. “We’ll look after her, I promise,” I say, knowing the words sound hollow given the current situation.

She pulls back and sniffs, raising her chin. “You’d better, Jackson. Because if anything else happens to Lily—or Mia—I will castrate every one of you.”

I nod, not doubting her one little bit.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and sort my girl out some clothes and some toiletries. Is anyone at the house?”

Tommy steps forward. “I’m going back now, so I’ll let you in. I just want to go say bye to Lily.”

He steps around her and slips inside the room before Avery can respond.

“What’s going on with those two?” she asks me, her eyes on the door.

The question makes me uncomfortable, and I run my hand through my hair. “What do you mean?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

She turns back to face me. “Well, there’s obviously something going on. Come on, he’s hot, she’s hot…”

I grab the back of my neck.

“Wait, what am I missing?” She narrows her eyes at me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She scoffs. “Yes, you do. It’s fine. I’ll just ask Lily when I get back.”

“Yeah, you do that.”

“Oh, believe me, I will.”

Tommy pulls the door open, and I sigh in relief at his re-appearance.

“Remember what I said.” I give him a stern expression.

“Yes, Boss.”

“And message me when you get back to the house.”

He gives a mock salute as Avery looks between us suspiciously.

“After you,” he says to Avery, waving his hand before him.

Avery points at me. “Look after her, Jackson.” She straightens, her head held high, before turning on her heels to walk away.

I stare after her, the weight of my failures pressing down even harder.

Tommy squeezes my shoulder once, and then, without a word, he follows after her.

I take a deep breath and rap my knuckles on the door before entering.

Lily is lying in bed, propped up by pillows, eyes cast down, deep in thought.

“Duchess,” I say, but my voice is strained.

Her eyes dart to mine, her mouth opening and closing as I stand there for what feels like an eternity, frozen, unsure of myself.

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