Page 111 of Watercolor Skulls

I pull the gun from my pants, pointing it at him. He stops dead in his tracks, his eyes wide. “Lily?”

“Don’t make me shoot you, Rudy. Please don’t do that. I can’t go with you and I think you know why. This,” I nod to the box under my arm. “this, is my freedom.”

“But, he says you need treatment,” Rudy says in hushed tones. His eyes bounce from me to the house.

“Rudy, I’m not going to lie to you. I’m far from being fine but I’m seeing a therapist. I will get better, but I can’t do that under my father’s thumb and like I said I think you know why. Everyone in this fucking house knows why.”

He drops his head shamefully, letting go of Jesse. “Go. Go now before I change my mind.”

Jesse and I waste no time getting the hell out of there.

Dan catches the box when I toss it over the fence then he grabs my hips as I slide myself over. He hugs me tight before we climb in the truck and drive away. Dirk calls JD, “They’re out.”

Everyone heads back to the hotel. I’m quiet as I run my hands over the simple wooden box. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

“You should have seen your woman, Dan. She pulled your gun,” Jesse says excitedly beside me.

Dan swivels in his seat and Dirk glares at me in the mirror.

“It was nothing.”

“A security guy had me in a headlock.”

Dirk steps on the breaks right in the middle of the road. “What?” His head swivels to her.

“Fuck,” she whispers under her breath.

His eyes slide to me. “Thank you,” he chokes, before turning back to the wheel.

Jesse leans over to me. “I’m going to pay for this tonight,” she whispers in my ear.

I mouth an,I’m sorry.

She shrugs, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

My laugh comes out in a snort and both guys give us a warning glare. Neither finding this near as funny as we are.

I’m not sure why Rudy let us go. I’m equally not sure if I would have shot him if he hadn’t. I’m glad I didn’t have to find out.

Back at the hotel we all gather in Travis’s room. He has a computer set up ready to check the files. Everyone nervously waits as he slips the flip drive in. I can’t do this. Anxiety is tingling across my chest, making it feel tight. Raffe isn’t here. He’s in Vegas at Jenny’s parents’ house. Shit.

“Dan.”

He crouches down in front of me.

“I…I can’t be here.”

Nodding, he pulls me to my feet. “I’m taking Lily back to our room.”

“I’ll take her,” JD chimes in. “If that’s okay with Lily.”

I nod, smiling. “Actually, that might be best. One of us should see what we’re dealing with.”

“Okay.” He kisses my head, looking me in the eye one more time to make sure I’m okay.

JD and I leave the room. We chat about the dresser I’m restoring. I found these old window cranks of all different designs and I’m using them as drawer knobs. It’s going to be cool when I’m finished.

I don’t know how much time passes. JD is good at keeping me company. He’s easy to talk to. Before I know it Dan steps through the door.

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