Always & Forever

by Chantel Rhondeau

  Chapter Fifteen

  Zach slammed the car into park and stormed up the walkway of his parents’ house. He took a deep breath to calm himself and walked into the front room. His mother sat on the couch, and he handed the grocery list to her.

  She accepted the list and narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong, Zach?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.” He bent down to kiss her cheek. “Lilly asked me to give this to you, so here I am. Have a good night.”

  Zach headed back to the door. Hurt mixed with anger at Lilly’s rejection. Hearing her story made it clear that it wasn’t love for the ghost of Charles that held her back, but Lilly kept pushing him away. He just wanted to be with her, even if that didn’t include sex, but her reactions were so hot and cold. She wouldn’t let herself trust him, and he never knew where he stood from one moment to the next.

  He thought at first it was the call that caused a problem, but she said she changed her mind. What did that mean? About the sex? About dating him? Or was this all related to Charles? She’d talked to the caller about him. Maybe that’s what made her send Zach away. Would she ever get over what that bastard did to her and actually trust another man?

  Zach was almost to the front door when his mother’s hand grabbed his shoulder and stopped his progress.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mother. I’m fine.” Zach tried to shrug off her hand.

  “You most certainly are not fine. What happened?”

  He shook his head. “I was mistaken about how Lilly felt. It’s not a big deal.”

  Patricia sighed and smoothed down Zach’s hair. “You really like her, don’t you?”

  “Of course not, Mother.” He grinned despite his mood. “I’m dating her to piss you off.”

  “Don’t talk to me like that,” she scolded. Her posture softened and she patted his cheek. “I really do want you to be happy, you know? You never found happiness with Victoria, did you?”

  Zach looked into his mother’s warm eyes. Never had she admitted Victoria might not have been the right woman for him. Patricia had wanted to be a grandmother so badly, she never questioned the mad dash to the alter Zach took with Victoria. After all, Victoria came from the right social set and the right family. After a few initial qualms, Patricia supported the match full heartedly. He’d never had the heart to tell her how awful things really were.

  “Of course you didn’t,” she said when he didn’t reply. “But you’re really starting to like Lilly?”

  “Yeah, I am. I know she’s not what you hoped for me but...”

  Her lip turned up at the corner and she crinkled her nose as though smelling something unpleasant, but she squeezed his shoulder. “Forget what I want. Chase your own happiness.” She sighed. “I’ll do my best to like her.”

  Zach raised his eyebrows. “That’s a shocker.”

  She caught him up in a hug. “I’m not the Wicked Witch of the West.”

  He hugged her back and flashed a grin. “Not always.”

  “You think you’re so funny,” Patricia said, then laughed.

  “I do appreciate the support,” Zach told her, turning serious again. “But I don’t think it matters. Lilly sent me away.”

  “What happened?” Concern shadowed her eyes.

  “She kicked me out.” He shrugged. “She got a phone call and asked me to leave. I begged her to talk to me about it, but she wouldn’t.”

  “It’s the phone call that upset her?”

  Zach tried to be objective instead of letting his hurt and anger rule his thoughts. “Yeah, I think so. It seemed that way at first, but then it was like she couldn’t wait to get rid of me.”

  “Women need reassurance every once in a while.” She shook her head. “It’s not easy. Sometimes, you have to push hard to get through someone’s defenses, but maybe she actually needs you right now.”

  “But this is the second time she’s stopped things when we—” Zach broke off. He prayed he wouldn’t blush. Sarah was one thing, but he couldn’t talk to his mother about that.

  Patricia tightened her mouth and widened her eyes. “Maybe that is rushing things a bit, especially after what happened with Victoria. That doesn’t mean Lilly doesn’t need you.”

  “So, I should go back to her?”

  Patricia walked him to the door. “Whatever you do with this information is your choice, son.” She kissed his cheek and shoved him gently out the door, closing it behind him.

  Zach climbed into his car and turned it toward Lilly’s house. Mother was right. It was the call that scared Lilly and made her stop things—not the thought of being intimate with him.

  He wished he’d thought about how frightened she was and insisted on staying. Instead, he dwelled on his own hurt feelings and sexual frustration. Zach tromped on the accelerator and ignored the speed limits. If Lilly needed him to hold her all night long, he would do that.

  He’d wait until she felt better before giving her the shocking news of Mother’s approval.

  ***

  Something was wrong. Darkness cloaked Lilly’s house without even the porch light shining through the gloom. Zach would have thought she left, but her car sat in the driveway. She didn’t answer the door when he knocked, and panic clutched his insides. What had happened to her?

  Zach pounded on the door once again, praying his imagination was getting the better of him. Finally, the sound of her cane thumped across the floor.

  “I’m calling the cops,” Lilly shrieked from the other side of the door. “You better leave.”

  “Lilly? It’s me, Zach. Let me in.”

  The thump of the cane quickened and the door jerked open. Lilly hurtled into Zach with such force they nearly tumbled off the porch. He held her against his chest.

  She tried to speak, but her sobs rendered the words incoherent.

  Zach rubbed her back. “Shh. It’s okay, baby. I’m here.”

  Lilly clutched at the fabric of his shirt, as her sobs quieted into soft hiccups.

  He picked her up and cradled her in his arms, walking back into the house. He kicked the door closed, which plunged them further into darkness.

  “Let me lock it,” she gasped.

  Zach turned and stumbled against the couch. “Where’s the damn light switch?”

  He placed Lilly on the floor, and she turned the light on before locking the door. She was in a sorry state. Her shirt was the same one he left her in, all the buttons hastily ripped off during their interlude in the hallway. Makeup ran down her face. Her terror-filled eyes met Zach’s before she threw herself against his body, burying her head into his shoulder. Even in the relative warmth of the house, she shivered.

  Zach dropped her cane over the back of the couch and scooped her back into his arms. She didn’t seem to notice or mind as she cried against his shirt. He carried her to the bathroom and placed her on the closed lid of the toilet before reaching to turn the water on in the tub. “Take a shower and calm down. I’m here. You’re safe.”

  He looked down at her to make sure she listened. She nodded once.

  “I’ll find you a nightgown.” Zach stepped into the hallway and pulled the door mostly closed behind him. He listened until he heard movement on the other side.

  What in the world happened to her? Sure, he had seen tears in her eyes a few times before, but Lilly was hysterical. The call had shaken her, but she calmly kicked him out, marching him to the door in full control of her emotions. Zach thought about her side of the conversation. Why would someone call Lilly about a dead man? Was that what had her so upset?

  A white cotton nightgown lay on the end of Lilly’s bed and he picked it up. He opened the top drawer of her dresser, feeling like a creep on a panty raid, and grabbed a pair of silky underwear.

  Zach knocked once on the bathroom door and opened it. He tried not to look at Lilly’s silhouetted body behind the shower curtain. Now was not the time to think about her naked form, separated from him by only a thin piece of vinyl
.

  “I’m putting your clothes on the towel rack.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice sounded less shaky. Hopefully the shower really would calm her.

  “Want me to make you some coffee or something?”

  “I could go for a glass of iced tea,” she said over the sound of the water. “Help yourself to whatever’s out there.”

  Zach walked to the kitchen and grabbed the tea from the refrigerator. He remembered where Lilly kept her glasses on the first try. He returned to Lilly’s room to wait for her, setting the tea on the night table.

  She limped into the room moments later, and Zach rushed to help her. Her hair hung in wet clumps around her shoulders, steadily dripping water onto the collar of her nightgown. She no longer cried, but her face had a vacant look to it Zach didn’t like.

  She carried a brush in her hand. Without a word, Zach took it from her. He guided her to the edge of the bed. After he slipped off his shoes, he crawled behind her and gently ran the brush through her hair.

  Lilly sipped her tea. “I’m turning into one of those whiny women I’ve always hated. I never let people see me cry.” She sighed. “Except you apparently. You see a lot of things I hide from the rest of the world.”

  Zach handed her the brush and massaged her scalp. She set the brush and tea back on the nightstand and leaned into his fingers.

  “You are not a whiny woman. You’re obviously a scared one.” Zach shifted to knead the knots in her tense shoulders. “What happened after I left? Did the person call back?”

  Lilly shook her head and turned to lie on the bed. Zach stretched his legs out and pulled her against him. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, but she didn’t protest. He hoped it comforted her. It sure made him feel a lot better. Lilly’s panicked state called forth a protective side to Zach he didn’t often feel. He wanted to find whoever scared her and beat him to a bloody pulp.

  Mostly, he was mad at himself. He’d failed her miserably by leaving. All he thought about was his own hurt when she told him to get out. If his mom hadn’t talked some sense into him, Zach would be in his own house right now, feeling sorry for himself. And Lilly would be here, alone and terrified.

  “What’s got you so upset?” he asked.

  “I think the person on the phone was the same man who attacked me in New York. He’s been outside, around back, trying to get into the house. I saw him by the sliding door, but I already locked the doors and windows before he tried to open it.”

  “What?” Zach’s calm façade crumbled. He sat halfway up and reached for the phone in his pocket. “We need to call the police.”

  She pushed him back down to the bed. “The police never believe a word I say. I won’t call them.”

  “Lilly, be rational. They can protect you.”

  Tears flowed once again from her eyes and she sniffed. “Please, Zach. Don’t make me talk to the police. You can keep me safe.”

  He couldn’t force her or he would lose the small amount of trust it seemed he’d gained. “What did the caller say to make you think it was your attacker?”

  Lilly shrugged. “He called me a whore. Said I didn’t even know what had happened to Charles and I was already doing stuff with you. It was like he watched us.”

  Zach closed his eyes. His body shook as he smoothed Lilly’s hair in an effort to calm himself. He had to check the outside of the house, but he didn’t want to panic Lilly. He needed to make sure she was okay before he left her alone, but if the bastard were still outside watching them, Zach would make him regret it.

  When he had himself under control enough to speak, his previous question popped into his head. “Why would he say you didn’t know what happened to Charles? I mean, the man’s dead, right?”

  “The police found some clothing and a lot of his blood down by the river.” Her hands wrung together. “There was also a...um...well...they found Charles’ finger. They never found the rest of his body. Said it probably got carried out into the harbor.”

  He gripped her shoulder. “And they’re sure it was Charles’ blood? His finger?”

  “They matched it with DNA from his hairbrush.”

  “I think we need to call that detective you worked with in New York, baby.” Her fear must be contagious because Zach felt pretty damn scared now.

  “Why?” She lifted her head, resting her arms across his chest, and a frown deepened around her mouth. “I don’t exactly think this kind of thing would convince him I’m innocent.”

  “You said Charles stole a lot of money before you were attacked, right?”

  “About five million dollars,” she agreed.

  “And the cops never looked at Charles as the culprit?”

  “We never said anything about the money. I told you, I had to avoid a scandal. My father would have been ruined.” She arched an eyebrow. “Besides, Charles couldn’t have done it. He’s the one who died.”

  Zach closed his eyes and forced himself to stay calm. “Think about it, baby. That’s a lot of money. What if Charles isn’t dead? Maybe that man was hired to kill you and help Charles fake his own death.”

  “But he is dead.” Her voice rose higher with each word she spoke. “The police are certain. His business accounts were never again touched. There were no signs that he escaped the attacker. The police said his body had been thrown into the harbor and long since became food for the marine life.”

  Zach pulled her down onto his chest and stroked her back. It would do no good to have her hysterical again. “Honey, please think about this. A lot of people would be willing to lose a few body parts for that much money. He could have chopped his finger off and set the stage to look like he died.”

  Lilly shivered. “But why would he be after me again? I don’t have any money.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t know that.” Also, Zach realized the person after Lilly now might be whoever Charles hired to help him fake his death. Assuming, of course, that was what happened. “Let’s call your detective in the morning and see if he can help us.”

  She snuggled closer into him. “Detective Spalding hates me, but I’ll do whatever you think is best.”

  At least they had a plan now. Hopefully that would calm her enough she could rest tonight. Exhaustion set in for Zach after the emotional turmoil of the past few hours; he could only imagine how Lilly must feel. She always tried to be strong, but everyone had limits.

  “You should sleep. It’s been a long night.” He attempted to slide from underneath her body.

  “You’re leaving?” Lilly grasped his arm. “I don’t need to sleep yet. Stay with me. Please!”

  He didn’t like the edge of panic in her voice. At least he wouldn’t have to convince her to let him stay. “I’m just going to check the house. I’ll be right back.”

  Her frightened eyes searched his face, as though judging whether he told the truth. “You’re not going home?”

  He tipped her head back and kissed her softly. “I promise I’m not leaving you.”

  She returned the kiss and held his arm a moment longer. A tear slipped down her cheek. “Hurry.”

  “Where are your house keys?”

  Lilly sat up in the bed. “Why?”

  “I told you, I’m going to check the house. I want to make sure that bastard isn’t lurking around out there.”

  “You’re going outside?” She scrambled across the bed and threw herself into him. She molded her body to his. “You can’t go out there. What if he’s waiting? What if he hurts you?”

  He brushed a light kiss across her mouth. “If you won’t let me call the cops, I’ve got to make sure you’re safe. I can’t sleep unless I know he’s gone.”

  She swallowed audibly. “I’ll come with you.”

  Zach pushed her gently away from him. “No, honey. You stay here.” He handed her his cell phone. “If I’m not back inside in five minutes, call the police. I need you to do that for me, okay?”

  Her eyes were wide and scared, but she clutched the phone and nodded. “Th
e keys are in my purse on the kitchen counter.”

  Zach rushed through the house and grabbed the keys. Maybe Lilly was borderline hysterical, but somebody frightened her tonight. He wouldn’t take a chance that person could get them while they slept. He still thought they should call the police, but if he went behind her back, Lilly would probably never speak to him again.

  He searched around for a weapon. Her cane might work, but he couldn’t see taking something so important to her without her permission. Perhaps he had something in his vehicle.

  Zach left through the front door, locked it behind him, and rushed to his car. He popped the trunk and grabbed the tire iron, hefting its weight experimentally. That’d work. He grabbed a large flashlight from his emergency kit and shut the trunk quietly.

  Zach crept into the back yard, hardly daring to breathe. There was no sign of anyone against the house. He turned on the flashlight, sweeping the beam across the area—no one. After checking each door and window, Zach rushed back to the front of the house, mindful of the five-minute timeframe he’d given Lilly, knowing even one minute must feel like an eternity to her.

  He fit the key into the lock. A rustling sound started behind him. Heart in his throat, Zach whirled around, gripping the tire iron at the ready. “Who’s out here?”

  The rustling continued, and Zach held the iron bar above his head, ready to swing at whoever might jump out. He swung his light in an arc across the yard as his heart pounded nearly out of his chest.

  Zach’s flashlight hit something in the yard, dark and small. The form jumped up, yowled at him, and bounded away. He collapsed against the doorframe. A damn cat.

  The pine trees across the street caught his eye. He shone the light deep into the boughs of pine, but saw no indication of movement. No one was out there. The caller must have left when Zach returned.

  He opened the door and stepped back into the house. “Everything’s fine,” he called. “Nobody’s out there.”

  Lilly stepped out of the hallway, tears streaming down her face. “I was so worried about you. I was about to call the police when I heard the key in the door.”