Catching Lily(68)

Lily rolled her eyes as Stephan came into view. He cocked a hip out, set his palm on it, and tapped one foot. Today he wore tight purple pants, a white dress shirt, and a yellow bow tie. Lily couldn't help but love him. His hair was cropped short on the sides but hung long on top, and he often flipped it off his forehead in a practiced move.

Ava giggled. "I should have known better. You're right."

"I'm fine. But thank you both for watching out for me."

Stephan leaned forward, kissed Lily on the cheek, and clapped his hands. "Okay. I'm going to go now. You've got this, Ava?"

Ava nodded.

"Call me if you have any problems." He lifted his brows and then sauntered toward the back room.

"How could I possibly have any problems?"

"Let's hope you don't, but that asshole is brazen, and I don't get the feeling he's done harassing you yet."

"I can't believe he would continue to bother me considering how many times the cops have talked to him." Lily was talking more to convince herself than Ava.

"Do you think he's got multiple personalities or something?" Ava asked.

"No. I think he's a dick." Lily hopped off her chair. Her phone buzzed on the counter and she grabbed it. Dominic was supposed to arrive any minute. She had tried to talk him out of coming when she'd left him yesterday, but he wouldn't listen.

Dominic: Checking in. Ava with you?

Lily smiled at the text and typed back.

Lily: Yes, Master. I'm fine. Ava's here. Stephan left.

Dominic: Are you sassing me?

Lily: Yes.

Dominic: Baby, you do not want to do that.

Lily: Mmm.

Dominic: I'll be there in ten. Don't move.

Ava sighed, jerking Lily's attention back to her sister. She set the phone down. "Sorry."

"You get all dreamy when he texts or calls. It's cute. But also kinda sickening." She smiled, though. "Is he on his way here?"

"Yep. And then you'll be off the hook. You didn't have to come tonight, you know." Lily headed for the front door and turned the deadbolt.

As she walked back toward the light panel to switch to the night mode, Stephan rushed back into the gallery. His face was white, and he cringed. "You aren't going to like this." He held up his phone.

Lily froze.

Ava grabbed her by the elbow and gasped. "That motherfucker."

Lily tried to catch her breath, but failed.

Stephan yanked the phone away from her and touched the screen several times. He put the phone to his ear. "Yes. Detective Wright? This is Stephan Moore, Lily's assistant. The asshole put the pictures on the web."

Lily couldn't get the image out of her mind. Her hands shook.

Ava helped her to the back room and lowered her to the couch. She pulled her phone out too.

Lily leaned forward, setting her forehead against her palms while she listened to Ava tell Dominic about the pictures. If she wasn't mistaken, Lily could hear Dominic through the phone. Not shocking. When Ava handed the phone to Lily, Lily shook her head.

She yanked herself into the present and bolted upright, her mind clearer than it had been in days.

She calmly stood, headed straight for her purse in a cabinet along the back wall, and walked right out the door. Ignoring the raised voices of her sister and assistant, she practically ran for her car. As soon as she jumped in and started the engine, she peeled out of the alley, leaving Ava and Stephan standing outside the back door.

She didn't care. All she cared about was putting an end to this insanity. If that fucker thought he was going to ruin her, he was sadly mistaken. She drove on autopilot. She'd been to his house many times in the last two years. She could easily get there without thinking.



       
         
       
        

When she arrived, she pulled into his driveway, turned off her car, and jumped out, leaving the door open. She stomped to his front door and banged on it so hard her fist hurt. She didn't stop banging until the door was wrenched open.

Luke looked genuinely shocked to see her. He glanced over his shoulder and then stepped outside, shutting the door behind him. "What the fuck are you doing here? Are you insane? You're the craziest bitch I've ever met in my life. Leave me the fuck alone and get off my property. You're the one with a restraining order. That includes you too." He pointed at the car. She found it curious that he kept his voice low. Was he worried about the neighbors? Because she sure as hell wasn't.

"Me?" she screamed. "What the fuck is the matter with you? Why the hell do you insist on harassing me? What the fuck for? We broke up. We're through. Done. Over." Her voice rose. She stood inches from him with her hands fisted at her sides. "Nothing you do is going to get me back. Ever." She was screaming now.