19. Lily

Chapter 19

Lily

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. For a moment, I forget about everything that's happened, but then reality comes crashing back. Emily. The enforcer. Sam's family. Jack sleeping next to me.

I turn my head to look at Jack, who's still fast asleep. His face is relaxed, peaceful, and I resist the urge to trace the lines of his face with my finger and instead slip out of bed quietly. It's still early, the sun just rising, but in the living room, Emily's already awake, sitting on the edge of the sofa bed with her backpack at her feet. She looks up when I enter, her eyes wide and nervous.

"Morning," I say softly. "You're up early."

She nods. "Went to sleep too early."

"Same," I giggle, and she returns it. "Tea?"

"Please," she says.

As I'm preparing the tea, Jack emerges from the bedroom, his hair mussed from sleep, dressed only in his jeans. "Morning," he mumbles, heading straight for the tea I'm making.

Emily's eyes widen at the sight of Jack shirtless and divine, standing in the kitchen oblivious to the stares in his direction.

Yeah, I'm staring, too. He's fucking delicious.

When the tea is ready, we disperse around the flat, sipping our drinks.

"So," I start, looking at Emily. "I've got some news for you."

Emily nods. "Good or bad?"

I smile reassuringly. "Good. Sam and George's family have agreed to take you in. You'll be staying with them for a while."

Emily tries not to smile, but I can see it. She is scared, but she is also fascinated by George, and the prospect of being closer to him gives her the courage she needs to make this move.

"Sam sorted it out last night," Jack explains. "They're expecting you today."

Emily looks between us, her expression full of relief as well as anxiety. "Okay. I suppose that's for the best."

I reach out and squeeze her hand. "I know it's sudden, but it's the safest option right now."

She nods slowly, processing the information. "George lives there?" she asks casually, looking anywhere but at me or Jack.

We share a smile at the slight blush that creeps across her cheeks. "Yes, he will be, and Jack and I will come with you to make sure you're settled in properly."

Some of the tension leaves Emily's shoulders at this. "Okay. Thank you."

"It's still crazy early, so we'll have breakfast and then watch some TV, maybe, to pass the time."

"Okay," she says again.

"Right," I say. "Jack, can you be on breakfast duty while I make up a bouquet for Sam and George's mum as a thank you?"

They both nod, and I head down to the shop in my pyjamas, Jack hot on my heels. "Not so fast," he chides. "Let me have a look around first."

Grinning, I watch him poking about, making sure the doors are still locked and then, with a firm nod, he heads back upstairs.

In my element, I select flowers for the bouquet, but my mind races. This is happening so fast, but I know it's for the best. Emily will be safe with Sam and George's family, and maybe she'll even find some happiness there.

I create a beautiful arrangement of chrysanthemums, roses and forget-me-nots, symbolising gratitude, love, and remembrance. It feels appropriate for the situation. I take a moment to admire the bouquet before heading back upstairs with it.

Jack has already whipped up a simple but delicious breakfast—scrambled eggs, toast, and beans. Emily's sitting at the table, her nerves evident in the way she taps her fingers against her mug.

"That looks lovely," Jack says, nodding toward the bouquet as I place it on the kitchen counter. He hands me a plate of food with a smile that makes my heart do a little flip.

"Thanks," I reply with a slow smile. "This looks good. Gardens and kitchens are your thing."

He grins, pleased with the compliment.

Emily takes a deep breath, her eyes flicking between us as if trying to gauge our mood. "You both are really kind," she says softly. "Thank you for doing this for me."

"It's no trouble," Jack says, sitting down and digging into his breakfast. "We want you to be safe and happy."

We eat in companionable silence, the tension from earlier easing a bit. After breakfast, we settle Emily in the living room to watch some mindless morning TV. It's a good distraction for her, helping to pass the time until Sam arrives. I shower first, and then Jack follows me.

Snickering at him when he walks into my room with a pink towel slung around his waist again, I shake my head. "You need to get some stuff here."

"No shit. I've used up the spare clothes I carry around in my car."

"You carry around spare clothes?" I ask, wrinkling my nose.

"In cases of dirt or water. Or both."

"Ah, okay. That makes sense." The air sparks with electricity, but I still don't ask about the future. I'm too fucking scared this will all come crashing down. But at some point, I'm going to have to take the plunge.

Before either of us can say another word, his phone buzzes with a text from Sam.

"Sam just finished his shift. He'll be here soon," he mutters.

"Okay. I'll tell Emily."

Leaving Jack behind in the bedroom, I sit next to Emily on the couch. "Are you ready? Sam will be here soon."

"Yeah, I don't have much." She indicates the backpack.

Fifteen minutes later, we hear a car pull up outside. Jack checks through the window. "It's Sam."

I take a deep breath and turn to Emily. "Ready?"

She nods, clutching her backpack straps tightly. "As I'll ever be."

Scooping up the flowers, we head downstairs, and I lock up the shop. Sam greets our little group as we pile into his car.

"Morning, all," he says, his eyes scanning our little group. "Everyone set?"

I hold up the bouquet. "All set. This is for your mum."

Sam's eyes soften as he looks at the flowers. "She'll love that, thanks, Lily."

As we drive through Keeley, I feel a mix of emotions. Relief that Emily will be safe, worry about what the future holds, and a strange sense of anticipation.

Emily's quiet next to me. Jack and Sam are in the front, and I catch Sam glancing at me in the rearview mirror more than once.

"So," Sam says, breaking the silence. "Mum's excited to meet you all. Especially you, Emily."

Emily manages a small smile but doesn't say anything. Her nerves are practically alive right now and doing a jig in the back seat.

The drive doesn't take long. Ten minutes later, we're pulling up to a large, sprawling farmhouse. It's surrounded by green fields and looks like something out of a postcard.

George is waiting by the gates with a cup of coffee in his hand. He opens up when he sees it's us and closes them as soon as we are through. The place is more of a compound than a house. It's enormous.

Emily takes a deep breath beside me, and I give her hand a quick squeeze. "You've got this," I whisper.

She gulps and nods. We all step out of the car, and George approaches with a welcoming smile.

"Glad you made it," he says, giving Sam a quick pat on the back. His eyes flick to Emily, softening with understanding. "Hey, Emily."

Emily blushes but manages a small smile. "Thank you for having me."

George chuckles. "Of course. Mum's already fussing about what to make for dinner tonight." He leads us inside, where we're greeted by the warmth of a well-lived-in home. The smell of baking bread wafts through the air, making my stomach rumble even though we've just had breakfast.

"Mum is in the kitchen," George says, pointing towards an open doorway where we can see a woman bustling about.

Sam leads us into the kitchen and grabs a coffee from the full pot near the door. "Hey, Mum."

We walk into the kitchen, the bouquet clutched tightly in my hands. Sam's mum turns around, her face breaking into a wide smile as she wipes her hands on her apron.

"Hello, dears!" she exclaims. "I'm Jane."

"Hi, Jane," I murmur. "I'm Lily, and this is Emily."

Jack gives Jane a big smile and steps forward to give her a quick hug. "Morning, Jane. How are you?"

Jane laughs warmly and pats his back. "Oh, Jack! Always the charmer. I'm doing well, thank you."

Jane beams at us all, her eyes twinkling with genuine affection. "It's lovely to meet you all. And Emily, don't you worry about a thing. You're family now."

Emily's shoulders relax slightly at Jane's welcoming words, and she manages a more confident smile.

"Oh, and these are for you," I say, stepping forward to hand Jane the bouquet.

Jane claps her hands together in delight. "Oh, these are just beautiful! Thank you so much, Lily." She sniffs the flowers. I can see her curious peek at me over the petals before she sets them on the counter.

"Right," George says. "Why don't I show Emily to her room?"

Emily nods and turns to me. She gives me a hug. "Thank you, Lily."

Trying not to let my sudden tears fall, I watch as she follows George out of the kitchen, her backpack bouncing slightly with each step.

Once Emily and George are out of sight, the atmosphere lightens a bit. Jane smiles softly. "You did a good thing, bringing her here."

"Thank you for taking her in. She needed somewhere safe."

"And she'll have it," Jane assures me.

I don't doubt her for a second, and knowing Emily will be all right here lifts the weight off my shoulders.