Page 30 of Perfidious Passion

I stand, not caring that I'm being dismissed. Our line of conversation wouldn't have gotten us anywhere productive or professional. Truth is, I’m not interested in staying here anymore.

"And Aaron," he calls out roughly as I grab the door handle. "I truly am sorry."

I offer him a small nod and a glance over my shoulder but my focus isn't behind me, it's straight ahead on what matters most; Lilly, Caleb, and Dean.

Closing his office door behind me feels like ending a chapter in my life. In one week, one man's deception broke something in all of us.

Caleb

FEB. 18TH - TUESDAY

“Brett Andrews won't be seeing the outside of a cell for a very long time. The evidence keeps piling up, digging his grave deeper and deeper. Between Lilly's statement and the twelve women, just in the office building, Brett's done."

Who knows how many other women he's hurt?

"Aaron..." Mr. Norris sounds hesitant, but seems to brush his nerves aside. "I am devastated this has happened to your family and so many others. I'm taking steps to make sure this never happens again, and if that means me stepping down and retiring, then I'm going to do that."

Aaron nods absently. "You love your family, Mr. Norris. If being with them is what you want, then you should do that."

"And what doyouwant?" Norris doesn't skip a beat, getting to the root of this phone call.

Lilly's curled up in her corner cushion, biting her nails and working up a stress sweat. Her eyes haven't left Aaron's face, but she doesn't find much there. Aaron isn't letting any of his emotions out. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also freaking out about his lack of reaction.

We're all exhausted. Having gone through so many heightened emotions since Valentine's Day, I think it's safe to say we're struggling. For me and Lilly—yes, I'm admitting I might also have some anxiety—it's not helping our mental states.

Everything feels unpredictable, and I feel like I lack control over anything. Lilly let us ravage the fuck out of her again last night, evenbeggedfor our touch, but I'm terrified of triggering her.

Taking my cues from Dean is my only choice and right now, his plastic water bottle is missing its wrapper because he hasn't stopped picking at it since Mr. Norris called Aaron a few minutes ago.

"What do I want?" Aaron repeats, voice monotone and nerve-inducing.

Mr. Norris answers immediately. "Yes, Aaron. What do you want? You have your job still, but I completely understand if you don't feel comfortable under my leadership any longer. You will get outstanding references if you wish to part with Platinum Prose. I have a friend at Timeless Text Editions who would be very interested in your talents."

"I'll call you back."

I'm shocked when my husband ends the call without waiting for a response. I'mnotsurprised when he turns to Lilly and waits for her to say something.

She doesn't say anything, which I could have guessed would happen. Instead, my beautiful girl, with her red hair tied back in a messy bun and small strands framing her face, stares at her lap.Her poor nails...

"Lilly?" Aaron's tone is still cold.

Lil stiffens and sinks further into the couch. I want to slap him, and from the clenching of my brother's jaw on Lilly's other side, I would say he feels the same.

"Hey, Aaron..." I whisper, placing my hand on his rock-solid thigh.Fuck, he's tense."You're scaring her."

Fast as fuck, Aaron whips his head around to me with a shocked expression that might make me laugh in literally any other situation. Seeing the seriousness on my face, he scrambles over to our girl and tugs her hands to his chest.

"Shit, Lilly. I didn't mean to scare you, I just..." He sighs and drops his head. "I don't know what to do, how to help. And I shut down a little there because no punishment will ever be enough for that bastard. Please tell me what you want me to do. I'll leave my job, Lilly.Anything. Just please tell me how to make it better."

"I—" Lilly trembles slightly beneath Aaron's intensity, making Dean shift until his thigh is pressed against hers in support. Drawn to the power of this moment, I inch closer to Aaron. "I want you to be happy. Whatever you want, Aaron."

I. Fucking. Snap. "DAMN IT LILLY! Your happiness fucking matters! He asked you a question. What doyouwant? What would makeyoufeel better? This bullshit is what got you hurt in the first place. Put yourself first for one fucking second and tell Aaron what you want."

Lilly

FEB. 18TH - TUESDAY

Tears spring to my eyes and I can't help but lean away from the fury radiating off of Caleb.

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