Page 5 of Lily's Shadow

“I’m cooking dinner, if I want her to play along I have to tell her everything.”

“Austin James, you said she is a friend but you are cooking for her.” I hear the question in her voice.

“Yes, and …” I can just picture the twinkle in my mom’s eye and hear the hope in her voice.

“Nothing at all baby, you come home and cook for your friend.” She says, excitedly.

“Mom, I love you. I’m on my way now.” I say quickly before hanging up.

It doesn’t take me long to get ready. With just me and Mom living here, we don’t make a mess. I time dinner so that it’s done just before I go pick up Lily. The table is set, plates in the oven to stay warm, I give the house one more look before I head for Poison Pen.

Getting there with a few minutes to spare. Fiona is cleaning her equipment. Arin is sweeping the floor and Lily is finishing up with a client. She looks up when I walk in. I can’t help but notice her smile.

“I’m almost done.” She calls out, so I take a seat and watch her. It’s like I’m looking at her for the first time. Her long hair is pulled back from her face in a braid that hangs over her shoulder. Her slim legs that could wrap around my body, I know those legs have enough strength to hold on tight.

I can just picture her above me riding my cock. Shit, I adjust myself hoping no one notices the boner I’m sporting. I’m lost in the fantasy when a smack to the back of my head gets my attention. Baratta is standing behind me.

“I hope that look wasn’t meant for my woman.” He grins.

“Nope, not at all.” I assure him

“Austin I like you, but if you hurt Lily...” is all he says before he walks over to Fiona.

Chapter 2

Lily

Austin is waiting for me. Oh my God! Good thing I’m finished with this tattoo, my internal freak out is making my hands tremble. I take my time printing Dane’s receipt to pull myself together. It doesn’t take long to clean up.

Since Fiona and Arin finished before me they pitch in to help. I’m grabbing my gym bag from the storage room when Fiona bumps my shoulder.

“Have fun.” She smirks with a wink at me before she follows us out the back door, locking up. The guys are waiting for us, Arin is already gone.

Poor girl works her ass off here, then has class in the morning. I know Baratta won’t go anywhere until I’m in my car so I ask Austin to follow me.

“I need to swing by my house to check on my dog, he hasn’t been out all day. You can follow me, then we can take your car from there. I mean if that works for you.”

He quickly agrees, but I don’t think he knows what he is getting into. I might have a huge crush on this man but if Loki doesn’t like him, I won’t be going anywhere. Loki has better sense of people than I do, he hated my old boss.

I’m waiting on the sidewalk in front of my house while he parks on the street. Austin looks around the neighborhood, taking it all in. There is a police car three houses down and two officers are pounding on the door. The occupants probably can’t hear them over the beat of the music coming through the cracks in the windows.

Across the street are two teenagers making out on a front porch swing, and from inside my house the barking of my dog who somehow knows his Mommy is home. It’s not the best part of town but for now it’s home.

I see Austin stiffen up when he realizes the deep barking is coming from the other side of my front door. “Is that a dog or a hellhound?”

I can’t help but laugh, people are always nervous when they first meet Loki. As soon as the door is open Loki starts to charge at me, but he skids to stop his feet slipping on the tile floor, when he notices I’m not alone. From his comment outside I expect Austin to be scared but he surprises me when steps around me and kneels down on the floor.

Loki looks up at me and turns his head sideways. I just know he’s asking me if this person is crazy. Austin holds his hand out for Loki to sniff, next thing I know both of them are rolling around on the floor. Loki is giving Austin a tongue bath while Austin is laughing and petting my dog.

I stumble over to a chair so I can sit down. I can’t believe what I am seeing. Loki accepts people in my life but never like this. If he likes someone he usually just licks their hands then wanders off. I’m lost in thought when a throat clearing gets my attention.

Austin is on his knees with his arm around Loki. “Sorry” he looks embarrassed, his cheeks turning red. “I ummm got a little carried away.” Then he quickly stands up, clearing his throat again. “You can bring him with us.” He sounds so hopeful that I can’t say no.

I must have dozed off in the car. I’m startled by the closing of the car door. Looking around I see the most amazing house. It’s a two story house on a large fenced in lot. There are flower beds under the windows and lining the walkway to the house. If I didn’t know better I would swear a woman lives here.

Austin leads the way with Loki nudging my hand, like he wants me to follow. I stop to sniff the peonies by the front door.

“Umm Lily, I have something to tell you before we go inside.”

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