Page 95 of Watercolor Skulls

“He recorded it, Lily,” he says, cupping my tiny hands in his.

I blink quickly as images flip thought my mind like a rolodex. Yes. Yes. The morning after he always had one. Always.

Jumping from the bed, I spin to look at Dan. “It’s proof.”

He nods his head slowly. “It would be proof, baby.”

“But where would he keep them? He’s been accused before…law enforcement searched.”

“He’s either got a hell of a hiding space or he has someone high up in his pocket.”

“I’m going to find them.” I stand taller, determined.

“We, baby. We.” Dan stands, running his thumb over my bottom lip.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He smiles before leaning in close. “Bread crumbs, baby. This was all you.”

I let him kiss me slowly, our tongues agreeing that we make a surprisingly good team. When he pulls away we smile at each other. This man has my back and he’s going to have it while I tear my father’s world down around him.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Lily

???

I’m not sure why I agreed to this. My eyes dart to Raffe who is sitting on the couch beside me. The therapist’s eyes bounce over the two of us. “So, Raffe tells me that Jenny is a mutual friend of yours.”

“Yes.” Keep it short and sweet and this will all be over soon.

He smiles. He has kind eyes. But kind eyes aren’t always kind. Sometimes they’re tricky. He will try to trick me into saying something I shouldn’t. I glance at Raffe again. He is smiling too.

Maybe they are both going to trick me. I mean sure Raffe is here because I said I couldn’t, or maybe it was wouldn’t do this without him.

“It’s an amazing story,” the young therapist says.

I mean shouldn’t he be older? I was expecting someone older. Wiser.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I don’t say anything.

He chuckles. “Lily, I’m not here to trick you. Relax, please.”

Oh, he thinks he’s so good he can read minds. I cross my arms over my chest. Unsure why I’m being so bratty. Why am I being a brat?

The answer makes me drop my eyes in shame. I’m scared and I don’t know if I can trust him.

Again, the fucker reads my mind. Did I just think the word fucker? I don’t have time to contemplate my use of profanity at the moment.

“Lily, did you hear me? Whatever we talk about stays in this room. You have my word. And Raffe can stay as long as you like. If you decide you’re ready for him to leave that’s fine. Just ask him to leave.”

I rub my hands over the top of my jeans, my palms sweating. “I don’t really know why I’m here.”

He nods. “Well, Raffe is concerned about the attempt you made at taking your own life.”

Facts. No bullshit. Fuck. I don’t like the facts. They suck.

“I did but…” I pause. “I did.”

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