Page 56 of A Violet Obsession

I quickly fill them in on what happened with Voss, leaving out the part about the warrant because I don’t want them to have to lie, if asked, if they knew I was leaving the city. But there is no way to explain the man watching their house without explaining the threat from Voss.

“I don’t think security is necessary,” Dawn says. “We live in a gated community.”

“Please,” I implore her. “He won’t bother you. He’s there just in case.”

She covers the phone, and I hear her talking to Trevor. “Okay, but just for a few days. What about you? What are you going to do?”

“The less you know about that, the better. But I have someone who is helping me.”

“Lily,” Dawn’s voice is hesitant. “The police came here yesterday after I spoke with you.”

A chill runs over my skin.

She hesitates. “They were asking questions about you. About what… happened before.”

I don’t say anything even as my heart sinks.

Dawn clears her throat. “They said there’s video of you taking the Veridian Amethyst out of the cabinet.”

My ribs close on my lungs. “I didn’t take it.”

“I know. I’m just—” She stops, then starts again. “I’m just trying to understand how the video would show something that didn’t happen. Do you think maybe you heard the thieves? Maybe you were going to hide the necklace, and you don’t remember because the whole thing was so upsetting?” She sounds desperate for me to agree.

“I don’t remember everything that happened, but I wouldn’t have stolen it.” I put my head in my palm. “I’m so sorry, Dawn. I’ve messed everything up. Are you going to lose your job because you hired me and faked my resume?”

“Not that I’m aware of. The police cleared the crime scene yesterday and released everything to be shipped. Now, if our clients hadn’t gotten what they’d bought, I might be more worried. But as long as our clients are happy, the owner seems happy…” I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but it’s not working. “Okay,” she says finally. “Just—be safe, Lily.”

“I’ll call when I can.” I set the phone on the mattress, press my hands flat against my thighs, and stare at the wall.

“All done?” Finn asks, pushing off the wall when I come out of the bedroom with my duffel. “Where’s the demon?”

I don’t answer him. “Emma’s coming here before we leave, right?” Finn nods. “I need to tell her in person. She’s the last to know when she should have been the first.” I bite my lip hard to keep the tears at bay. “I just didn’t want her to see this side of me. To be disappointed, or ashamed of me.” My voice hiccups on a sob, and Finn closes the distance between us, gathering me in his arms.

“It’s not going to be easy for her to hear.” He rests his chin on the top of my head. “But Emma loves you. Our biggest problem is probably going to be keeping her from going after her own form of revenge. I have this feeling she’d make T-shirts with a picture of Hera in a tiara and cape and the words ‘Justice for Lily’ ringed around it.”

A giggle escapes through the tears, and I lean back, wiping my eyes. “I can absolutely see that.”

19

FINN

I double-check the duffels I’ve packed with equipment before slinging the bags over my shoulder and carrying them into the main room. Lily is talking to Sera, who is currently snuggling the giant cat. Lily’s eyes find mine and hold, and she gives me a small smile that makes me remember the feel of her mouth pressed to mine. Sera looks over her shoulder and smirks at me.

“Oh my God, Finn!” Emma’s voice announces her arrival before she explodes into the room, followed by a bemused looking Leo. The second she spots me, she points her finger. “First, I get a phone call from you in the middle of the night telling me that a stranger is going to show up to take me to a hotel—which, by the way, is a great set-up for a thriller. Then, this one…” She jabs a thumb over her shoulder at a grinning Leo. “Shows up an hour ago and tells me to pack a bag. No explanation. No details. Just ‘pack your bag.’” She throws her hands up. “Did it ever occur⁠—”

Emma's words cut off abruptly when she sees Lily.

The shift is instant, and devastation twists her face. She crosses the room in four strides and takes Lily’s face in both hands, tilting it gently to examine the bruises. Hera, sandwiched between them, chirps once and butts her head against Emma’s chin.

“Hey, Queen,” Emma murmurs to the cat without taking her eyes off Lily’s injuries. Then, in a fierce, quiet voice, “Who did this to you?” Quickly followed by, “What the actual fuck? Finn!”

I close my eyes, not ready to deal with my sister’s particular brand of drama.

“I’m okay, Emma, really.” Lily tries to soothe my sister, but I can see it’s a lost cause.

Emma’s eyes flash and her jaw juts forward. “Tell me who, and I’ll kick their ass.”

“You don’t need to. Hera already did.” She gives Emma a smile. “And your brother and his friends helped.”