When I make it to the door, I pause for a moment and listen. It isn’t silent, but it isn’t as chaotic as I thought it would be either. I grab the knob, surprised when it turns with no resistance.
Bad move, Lily. I think to myself.
I look up the stairs then to the left as I step inside. No kids are running around, but I hear movement in the kitchen. Slowly, I stalk down the hall. When I make it to the end, I stop and watch her move around.
Her back is to me, and she has a small child positioned on her hip. When his head turns and spots me, I raise my hand and place a finger over my lips. Looking at him, I realize he’s probably too young to understand, but that isn’t the only thing I notice.
His eyes stay locked on me as she pulls a gallon of milk from the fridge then moves to the cabinet above the sink to retrieve a sippy cup. As she pours, I keep my focus on the kid. He’s almost an exact copy of the woman holding him. He has the same face structure with a slim nose and high cheekbones, and his eyes… so blue they would make the sky weep— just like Lily. The only difference is his hair. Her’s is thin and a pale blonde where his is thick and dark.
When she moves again, it shakes me out of the daze I was in. Grabbing the cup, she secures the lid then turns, finally noticing me. The sippy falls from her grasp and hits the floor, popping the lid and splashing milk all over the cheap linoleum.
She moves back, pressing herself into the counter, and clutches the kid in her arms as I step further into the kitchen. “She isn’t here.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?” Her chest heaves quickly, but her voice stays level.
“Because I told you I’d be back. You’re the only family Amy has, so she has to come back at some point. I’m making sure I’m here when she does.” I answer, telling the half-truth.
I am here for Amy. There is no doubt about that, but at the same time, I’m here for Lily too. She doesn’t know it, and I won’t admit it, but I want her in every way possible. And as of now, I’ll take what I can, which means coming to this fucking hell hole just to see her and watch her get flustered with anger and fear the moment she sees me.
I step even closer, then reach out and grab a lock of the child’s hair.
He smiles and grabs my hand. He isn’t more than three, so he doesn’t realize I’m a bad guy. “Pa—”
Lily clamps her hand over his mouth and jerks him from my grasp. “No, Maxwell.” She chastises the baby before looking back at me. “She isn’t here.” She repeats.
“As I said, I know. I just want to make sure you don’t forget I’m always around. When she shows up, I’ll be here too.” I take a few steps back then turn on my heel.
I wasn’t sure what I would do when I made it back here. Clyde probably expected me to kill her, but I won’t be doing that. It would be too much of a waste to end a life like hers. So, instead, I’ll keep intimidating her—making my presence known in every way I can so that I cross her mind every second of the day.
Soon, Clyde’s empire will be mine, and I’ll need people on my side in every corner. Whether they help me willingly or from fear is up to them, but I have a feeling sweet Lily will cave soon enough. I need to bide enough time for it to happen as I try and fix the fucked up predicament her sister put me in.
When I make it back to the front door, I turn and see Lily not far behind me, leaning against the wall and watching. “Lock your door, love. I would hate to see someone get in here who isn’t invited.” I give her a smile and wink as I part ways and head back across the street where Alfredo is waiting.
3
ERIC
“Has it been handled?” Clyde asks, not even giving me a moment to say hello when I answer the phone.
I roll my eyes and cross my ankle over my knee as I unbuckle my seatbelt. “I’m working on it.”
I can practically hear the shake of his head and picture the disappointment on his face as there is a brief pause. “Eric, I have you do these jobs because they always end in results— results in a timely manner. I was expecting this to be done by now.”
“I understand, but sometimes things take more time than you would think. You taught me that, remember?” I throw his words from years ago back in his face.
“Well, right now I don’t have time. Raymond is upset and I told him this would be handled, so handle it.” He hangs up before I can reply.
I shove the phone back in my suit jacket and settle further back in my seat. “We’re going to be here awhile, Alfredo. Might as well get comfortable.”
I never told Clyde how I came back here last night because I knew he would be pissy that I had no new answers to give him, but I have a plan now. Right now, Lily is scared of me, but I don’t feel her fear is enough. I need to make sure she sees just how far I’m willing to go to get answers on her sister’s whereabouts. So, tonight I’m going to show her.
“You know he’s looking for CJ, right?” Alfredo says, dragging me from my thoughts.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less. Kid was a coward and ran. Now Clyde will make an example of him.”
He shakes his head then twists his body, so he’s facing me. “Clyde won’t but you will.”
