Page 1 of Lily's Shadow

Prologue

LilyAnna

It has been almost six months since I moved to White Summer. My best friend Fiona opened her tattoo shop in town and hired me as her office manager-artist. One of her requirements for me to work for her has been to attend self defense classes.

I was doing really well in my class in Seattle, even taking extra classes because I love it so much. Fiona has promised to teach me kickboxing; she is really good at it. Sometimes she even wins against her own trainer, Austin.

After Fiona’s boyfriend was kidnapped by a stalker recently, I asked her to increase my training. I even want to learn how to use a gun. It was my fault. I’m the one that left her keys on the counter.

No matter how many times she tells me it wasn’t. I can’t help but feel guilty about it. I don’t ever want to see one of my friend’s look so helpless again. Good thing Fiona is a kick ass bitch and took down the monster all on her own.

Fiona and Baratta are leaving for vacation to Italy after Miranda has her baby, so I need to up my game. I will be running the tattoo shop on my own for the first time. She’s depending on me to keep everything running smoothly while they are gone.

I have my first martial arts class with Austin today. I’m really excited about it but I’m nervous as hell too. Austin is an attractive man. Every time I look at him my heart starts racing. I doubt he even realizes I exist beyond being a client of Hay’s Den.

I’m about to grab my gym bag to head out of the door when Loki, my German shepherd starts to whine. Looking over at him, I see that he has his food bowl hanging from his mouth.

“I’m sorry, did I forget to fill it this morning?” I laugh as he hops around excitedly as I take the bowl from him.

Filling the bowl, I place it on the floor. He licks my face as I stroke his fur.

“My sweet boy.” I murmur into his head.

I got him several years ago from a trainer I met while at the inkers expo. He trained guard dogs for the elite and gave me a hell of a deal for him. He’s been my constant companion ever since. One thing is for sure, he’d eat someone’s face off if I told him to. That comes in handy for a single woman these days. Smiling at the thought, I pick up my gym bag and walk out the door.

Austin

Moving to White Summer a little over a year ago has been the best decision I have ever made. I am working at Hay’s den, my boss is my best friend and life is more laid back here. Something I’ve needed for quite some time.

I’m no longer fighting professionally although I miss it sometimes. The roar of the fans, the adrenaline rush of winning, the women throwing their bras and panties in the ring after a match.

I don’t miss the circus created by my ex wife though. I found out she was sleeping with one of my sponsors and kicked her out. In retaliation she accused me of domestic violence.

After that I hired a private investigator. I discovered more than I ever expected. For example the reason the paparazzi always seemed to know where we were is because she called them.

About 2 months after the separation, I found out she was pregnant too. When confronted she said the baby wasn’t mine. At that point I just wanted her out of my life so I didn’t fight anything she wanted in the divorce.

After that, it didn’t take Hayden long to convince me to move here with her. She was going through her own shit around that time as well. I probably would have killed her ex-husband if the police hadn’t found him first.

My ex has started up her shit again lately. I had messages on my phone from her again last night. I didn’t even bother checking them. Wish the bitch would get a fucking clue. I’m no longer interested.

I’m in the gym pounding the shit out of a bag when Lily comes in for her first advanced class with me. She has been in the beginner’s class with Hayden, but after some shit down at the tattoo parlor she works in she really kicked it up a notch and we feel she’s ready.

We just finished class, I tell her to head to the shower when a commotion breaks out at the front desk. I can hear Hayden yelling all the way back here so I know it’s not good.

Lily and I approach cautiously. We can see a crowd gathered behind the desk. Hayden is facing us, yelling at a woman that has her back to us. The woman seems familiar but I can’t see her face yet.

“Get out of my building!” Hayden yells.

“I am not leaving until I see him.” The woman yells back. I know that voice, it's one I never wanted to hear again.

“If you don’t leave on your own, I will have you escorted out!”

“Fine, you tell him if he ever wants to see his kid, I’m staying out at the Wolfsbane ridge cabins.”

“Not for long.” I hear one of the guys in the crowd murmur, just before she turns around and sees me.

“What do you want Erica?”

---