Is she leaving? Running away? Does she know something about Eli that I don’t?
I grab my phone and am about to call Mia when another notification pops up. A car pulling into Lila’s driveway. Not Eli’s red BMW, but a black sedan I don’t recognize. The driver’s door opens, and Eli steps out.
Fuck. He’s back early.
I watch, helpless, as Eli enters the house. Lila doesn’t hear him over the sound of drawers opening and closing. He stands in the doorway of the bedroom, watching her pack, his face eerily calm. When he finally speaks, I can’t hear what he says, the cameras aren't picking up audio. But I see Lila freeze, her whole body going rigid before she turns to face him.
I’m already moving, grabbing my keys and helmet, rushing down to the garage where my bike waits. But I know, even as I fire up the engine and tear out onto the street, that I’m too far away. It’ll take me at least fifteen minutes to get to her house, even pushing the bike to its limits.
Fifteen minutes is a long time when you’re alone with a man who might have made a woman disappear.
As I weave through traffic, ignoring speed limits and the angry honks of other drivers, my mind races with possibilities, none of them good. I try to call Lila’s phone, but it goes straight to voicemail. Same with Mia and Valerie. I call Dillian next.
“I need a patrol car at Lila’s address, now,” I say as soon as he picks up. “Eli’s back, and she was packing a suitcase when he walked in. Something’s wrong.”
“Shit. I’ll make it happen. But Tony, stay away. If you show up there masked or unmasked, it’s only going to make things worse.”
“I can’t just do nothing!”
“You can and you will,” Dillian snaps. “Let us handle this. I’ll call in a domestic disturbance check. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes or less.”
I want to argue, but he’s right. Showing up now would only escalate the situation, possibly putting Lila in more danger. “Fine. But I’m staying close. If those officers don’t show up—”
“They will. I promise. Now hang up and let me make the call.”
I pull over to the side of the road, a couple of miles from Lila’s house. Close enough to get there quickly if needed, but far enough away that Eli won’t spot me. I pull up the security app again, watching as Lila and Eli face each other in the bedroom. He’s gesturing at the suitcase, his movements sharp and angry. She’s backed against the wall, her posture defensive. But she’s not cowering. There’s a defiance in the way she holds herself that makes pride swell in my chest even as fear claws at my throat.
The minutes crawl by like hours. Where are those fucking cops? I check the time, only five minutes since I called Dillian, but it feels like an eternity. On the screen, Eli takes a step toward Lila. She says something that makes him stop short. His hand twitches at his side, and I tense, ready to gun the engine and race to her regardless of the consequences.
24
Lila
Isit at Mia’skitchen table, cradling a mug of coffee between my palms. The warmth seeps into my skin, a stark contrast to the cold determination settling in my chest. Valerie paces behind me, her footsteps marking time like a metronome while Mia scribbles furiously on a notepad, making lists of what we need to do. The morning light streams through the blinds, painting stripes across the table.
“I should go home today,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can second-guess myself. “It’s Sunday, Eli left Friday morning, he shouldn’t be he back until Monday or Tuesday. I could pack a suitcase now, be done with it.”
Valerie stops pacing, her body going rigid. “Absolutely not.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Mia agrees without looking up from her list. “We planned for Monday for a reason. We’re going to chill today and make a plan. File for a restraining order and have an escort tomorrow.”
I trace the rim of my mug with my finger, gathering my thoughts. “I know, but think about it. Eli never comes home early from his trips. Never. And this way, I can take my time, really think about what I need.”
“And what if he decides to surprise you?” Valerie challenges, dropping into the chair across from me. “What then?”
“He won’t,” I insist. “He’s probably too busy with his prostitutes.”
The bitterness in my voice surprises even me. It’s not jealousy. God, no. More like resentment for all the times he made me feel worthless and forced himself on me all while he was paying other women for what he claimed I couldn’t give him.
Mia sets down her pen, finally looking up. “Lila, it’s not worth the risk. We can all go together on Monday, like we planned.”
“I need to do this,” I say, meeting her eyes. “I need to walk into that house knowing I’m walking back out for good. I can’t explain it, but it feels important.”
Valerie and Mia exchange a look I’ve seen too many times, concern mixed with resignation. They know once I’ve made up my mind, there’s little point in arguing.
“Fine,” Valerie sighs. “But you’re not going alone. We’ll drop you off and wait outside.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I appreciate it, I do. But I need to do this part myself.”
