Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
“I didn’t.”
“You sent me a text and I thought it was a lie, but now that you’re back…”
“A text? I didn’t send you a text, Lily.” Fucking dicks were well prepared to make it look like I fled.
“I told James and the cops you wouldn’t have done that to me.” My eyes slam shut. I’m going to have to explain that my own cousin betrayed me—her cousin, too.
“I was kidnapped, but I got away.”
“Kidnapped,” she gasps, and a loud thud could be heard in the background.
“Lillian? Lily!”
“Sorry, I dropped my phone on the floor. I can’t believe that happened and we still had the wedding. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to anyone else. Where are you? I have to see you’re okay.”
“Tomorrow. I need rest.”
“Okay. Please meet me for breakfast, girl. Anywhere you feel safe.” Her voice is shaking with tears.
“Please don’t cry, Lily. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she says. I end the call and cling to Dylan.
“She’ll be fine. She has her husband by her side.”
“And I have you.”
“That’s right, and you’ll have me forever, Harley.” He kisses me until we fall onto the mattress and lose ourselves in passion, letting the night slip away.
****
Dylan didn’t want to meet them at Lillian’s house because he didn’t trust my safety just yet, so he scheduled a meeting with them in a secure and neutral location. I rolled my eyes because I knew Lily wouldn’t do that to me. She isn’t deceitful and never has been. If there is anyone who has a good soul, it is her.
We meet in a local café for breakfast. We’re early, and I fuss over my dress as if I’m meeting a complete stranger that determines my future instead of my favorite family member.
“Stop, sweetheart. You look perfect.”
“Hardly. I’ve got bruises and rope burns,” I say, pointing out my reddened and scabbed wrists. They’re not as bad as they were, but there’s no mistaking the injuries.
He slides his arm around my waist, pulling me to face him. “Yes, but it’s expected for someone who was kidnapped, remember. Your cousin knows that, so relax, my beautiful love.” I press my head on his chest. He smooths his lips on the crown of my head, kissing it.
I look out the café window and spot them walking to the door. “They’re coming.”
“I’m by your side. Always.” I love this man so much it’s insane. My heart races, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s my rock or because I’m nervous to see my best friend. Lily’s eyes widen and her mouth falls open when she sees me, and then her eyes dart over to Dylan’s and she looks almost equally as shocked. Still, she rushes up to me. Dylan tenses, and his men inch closer from their hidden perches around the café.
“Relax. I’d never hurt her,” she says, rolling her eyes at Dylan.
“He just worries about me.”
“As he should.”
“I’ve missed you,” I say, throwing my arms around my cousin. “Lily, it’s so good to see you.”
“I’m so glad you’re safe.” She leans back with her hands on my biceps and tears in her eyes. “God, look at you,” she says, caressing my cheek, brushing my hair from my face. “I hope you got those bastards.” She stares right at Dylan.
“What makes you think he got to them?”
“Come on. He’s your former boss. I remember you telling me he’s wealthy, and he’s obviously obsessed with your safety.”
“Everything has been taken care of,” Dylan answers. I don’t react to it because I don’t want to know details as long as I’m safe. It’s not like I’m unaware that stuff went down when he came back to Dallas. He told Boss it was handled.
“Good. Let’s sit down. I could really use some food, and you can tell me how you’re doing. I need to know how you’re feeling and where you’ve been. It must have been awful.”
“I don’t really want to talk about the details.”
“How was your wedding?”
“I wish I hadn’t gone through with it.” Her husband gasps like he’s been slapped. “Oh, love. You know I don’t mean that. It’s just that I knew she was truly missing and didn’t leave of her own free will.” He hugs her tightly and kisses her temple.
They were perfect together, and I’m happy she didn’t miss her special day because she had gone through all that trouble to plan it. “Oh, Lillian, don’t think that. You did the right thing. I’m glad that you had your beautiful wedding.”
“Thank you, but I wish you were there. I want to rub it in Sandy’s face that I was right to worry.” Dylan’s face shifts.
“Um…ladies, let’s order. I’m getting hungry, and you need to eat, sweetheart. I let his reaction go because I know she was involved in my kidnapping, and he’s probably unsure if we should tell her about it. Perhaps we should have spoken about it beforehand.