Page 57 of A Violet Obsession

Emma’s lip trembles, but she releases Lily’s face to scratch Hera’s ears. “Well, of course she did. We don’t wait for silly boys to save us.” She studies Lily a moment longer and grimaces, before her gaze swings to me. “Care to explain what’s going on, brother dear?” She asks in a much calmer voice.

Before I can answer, Lily says, “We need to talk, Emma.”

Emma’s brows bunch in concern.

“The kitchen is fairly private.” Sera nods toward the open door across the room.

I want to go with them, partially to check on my sister, but if I’m being honest, to make sure Emma doesn’t bulldoze Lily’s emotions like she’s bound to do. But before I can follow the two women, Vincent appears in the doorway that leads to the underground garage.

“SUV’s loaded. Basic provisions, nothing fancy, though I threw some wine and beer in. It should be enough to get you through the first several days. We’ll restock if you need it, but hopefully we can get this shit resolved quickly.” He pulls a set of keys from his pocket and tosses them to me. “Luke’s cabin—you know where you’re going?”

“Yeah, I pulled the satellite imagery when he gave me the directions. He’s done a pretty good job keeping it off the map. I’ve taken some trail cameras and extra ammo from the stockroom.” I tell him.

“Can she shoot?”

I think about the way Lily flinches every time she sees a gun and the bullet scar on her chest.

“I don’t think so.”

Vincent frowns. “Set a tight perimeter and stay on top of it. We’ll check in regularly and let you know how it’s going on this end.” His hand lands heavy on my shoulder. “Good luck.”

Glancing around, I see Leo leaning against a desk, his attention riveted on the kitchen. The door is partially open, and Emma is visible inside, sitting on the counter with Hera in her lap, talking to Lily.

No.

Leo sees me coming and straightens, but the grin doesn’t fully disappear, which tells me he’s braver or dumber than I thought.

“My parents are on a cruise,” I say, keeping my voice low. “You’re taking Emma to their house in Grangerton. She can’t post where she is on social media. No check-ins, no stories, no selfies with location tags. Keep her off the internet. Can you handle that?”

“Absolutely.”

“And Leo…” He meets my eyes. “If she flirts with you—and she will—you shut it down. My sister is impetuous, and I’m trusting you to be the grown-up in this situation.”

Leo’s expression attempts something serious but ends up closer to amused. “Completely professional. Scout’s honor.” He holds up three fingers.

“I mean it.” I glare at him. “I don’t get involved in my sister’s personal life. She’s a grown woman, but you and I have to work together, and drama and my sister go hand in hand.”

“You don’t get involved in your sister’s personal life… like running off to the mountains with her best friend who you clearly have a thing for?” The corner of his mouth twitches, and I seriously consider punching him repeatedly when he reaches forward and snaps the hairband still on my wrist.

From inside the kitchen, Emma’s voice rings out. “I guess it’s not all bad because at least the guys here are hot. Did you see the one going home with me?”

Rhodes, who had been standing within earshot, looks deeply uncomfortable and moves away. Leo looks delighted.

I give him a stare that promises retribution. He holds up both hands. “Shut it down. Got it.”

The two of them are going to be a disaster.

Not my problem, I tell myself as I head for the kitchen. I’m reaching for the door when I hear the conversation inside, and my hand drops.

Emma is crying, her voice thick and broken in a way that makes my chest tighten. “Why didn’t you ask us for help?” Emma’s voice hitches. “Mom called CPS. We knew something was wrong. I could tell by your voice on those calls and⁠—”

“There was nothing you could have done.” Lily’s voice is gentle but firm. “I didn’t want to bring you down with me. I wanted you to have the life we always talked about. Boys and cheerleading and parties and—I didn’t want you to be worrying about me all the time. Mostly I was okay, went to school, got good grades…” Lily’s voice breaks as her tears join my sister’s, and I take a step toward the door, my body responding to her distress before my brain can override it. But through the opening, I see Emma pull Lily into a hug, and Lily’s arms come up around her.

“Lily,” Emma pulls back, wiping her face with both hands. “I need to say something about Finn before you go play Bonnie and Clyde with him.”

I freeze.

“He’s my brother, and I love him, but he’s not…” She pauses like she’s struggling to find the right words. “He doesn’t know how to… I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Because I know how you’ve always felt about him, and he won’t mean to hurt you. He just doesn’t know how to do… emotions… the way other people do them. He never has.”