CHAPTER 12
Lily walked out of the hospital gates,
her nurse's uniform crisp and white,
but her shoulders felt heavy from a long shift.
She loved her work,
helping people gave her a sense of purpose,
a way to heal from the trauma of her childhood.
As she walked toward the bus stop,
she noticed a dark SUV parked across the street,
its windows tinted black,
engine idling quietly.
She quickened her pace,
a sudden feeling of unease settling deep in her stomach,
urging her to move faster.
The car doors opened,
and two men in dark suits stepped out,
their eyes locked onto her.
"Miss Walker,"
one of them called out,
his voice polite but carrying an underlying threat,
"we need you to come with us."
Lily backed away,
her heart hammering against her ribs,
looking around for anyone who could help.
The street was empty,
the evening shadows lengthening,
leaving her isolated and vulnerable.
"I don't know you,"
she shouted,
reaching into her bag for her phone,
ready to call for help.
Before she could dial,
a loud screech of tires echoed through the street,
as another car flew around the corner.
It was Jack's battered old sedan,
roaring to a halt right between Lily and the strangers.
"Get in!"
Jack yelled,
throwing the passenger door open,
his eyes wide with terror and determination.
Lily didn't hesitate,
diving into the front seat,
slamming the door behind her just as the men lunged forward.
Jack hit the gas,
the tires smoking as the car launched ahead,
leaving the pursuers behind in a cloud of dust.
"Dad!"
Lily gasped,
using the name for the first time,
her voice trembling with adrenaline.
"Who were they?"
"Bad people,
Lily,"
Jack said,
his hands gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white,
"people from my past."
"I am so sorry I brought this to your doorstep,"
he choked out,
tears streaming down his face.
"But I promise you,
I will protect you,
no matter what it takes."
He drove erratically through the city,
checking his rearview mirror constantly,
making sure they weren't being followed.
He knew they couldn't go back to his apartment,
or hers,
as those places were no longer safe.
There was only one place left to go,
the lake cabin,
where Megan was likely already heading.
The three of them were being forced together again,
May you like
not by love,
but by the dangerous secrets of the past.
