Page 34 of Jack

“Okay.” I look over her head to Maci. “Get her home. I’ll handle this.”

Coty has already locked the other side of the gate. I’ll have to go around to the side entrance and walk through the Den to get to the backyard. It’ll be worth it. Someone’s, a lot of someone’s, are going to regret this.

“No, Uncle Jack,” Everly cries and pulls on my arm. “Please don’t. I just wanna go home. Please.”

Once again, her pleas stop me. Her big puppy dog tears slice through my soul. I cup her little face in my hands for a moment before wrapping her in my arms again.

“Okay, sweetie. We’ll get you home.” This little girl has me wrapped around her finger. She may be about to turn seventeen, but she’ll always be my baby.

“Do you wanna come to the guest house with us? Uncle Jack can go find Grandpa. They’ll make sure Aunt Harley is okay and take her home.” Maci gently rubs Everly’s back.

“No. I really just wanna go home. Please,” Everly pleads again.

I glance past Maci to Lily. I didn’t forget she was there. I’ve felt her presence the entire time. That’s never happened with a woman before. One look at her causes my hands to shake. My niece is a nervous and emotional wreck. My older sister and some jerk were rude to her.

On top of that, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met has a black eye and bruised cheek. I knew she did. Seeing it changes things.

“Okay, sweetie. Aunt Maci will take you home and stay with you until Nanny gets there.” I walk Everly into my sister’s waiting arms.

“Jack?” Maci’s eyes dart to Lily and back to me.

Yeah, I know. We can’t leave an angel alone. The counselors have told us how bad it could be. Past experience with the abusers has proven just how bad things can get. Maci has nothing to worry about.

“I’ll stay with Lily until one of you can get to the guest house.” My sister wants to argue. I don’t let her. “The main thing is that Everly’s taken care of and Lily’s safe. Neither of us can do both right now.”

“You’re right.” Maci sighs and turns to Lily. “Are you okay with this?”

“Yeah.” Lily presses her lips together and nods.

Maci hesitates and looks toward the clubhouse. She wants to go get Mom. Maci’s the youngest, but she has a better head on her shoulders than our older sister does.

“Look. Let Mom help Nana with the party. You and I can handle things for a few hours. If Lily becomes uncomfortable with my presence at any point, I’ll step out on the porch and call one of the ole’ ladies.” I offer the only solution I can think of right now.

“Okay,” Maci agrees.

The four of us walk together through the trees. When the guest house comes into view, Maci and Everly take the path to the right. It leads to the main house where my parents and grandparents live. The path to the left goes to my house, and beyond that is Jay’s house. His mom lives with him. Their house in town was sold years ago.

Lily and I walk side by side up to the house. As badly as I want to, I don’t reach for her hand this time. Lily walks ahead of me up the stairs and to the door. I reach into the pocket of my jeans for my keys just as she turns the handle and pushes the door open.

“Wait,” I call out.

Lily jumps back and shrinks against the outside wall by the door. I mentally beat myself up. I didn’t mean to scare her.

I hold up both hands. The keys dangle from one of my fingers. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to shout.”

“What’s wrong?” Her voice shakes.

“Probably nothing.” I motion toward the door with the hand holding the key. “Maci didn’t lock the door.”

Lily glances at the open door and shakes her head. “I guess not. We were in a hurry to get to Everly.”

“Thank you for that. Everly gets very emotional when she’s upset. It usually takes Mom to calm her down. If it’s not too bad, Maci can handle it.”

“She’s a sweet girl.” Lily drops her head.

“She’s the best. Why don’t you sit on the swing while I make sure the house is clear?”

Her head snaps toward the open door as she walks backward toward the steps. “You don’t think? He couldn’t.”

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