15. Lily

CHAPTER 15

LILY

“Oh, Lily!” Hannah sing-songs. She walks into my room without knocking, a big bouquet of colorful flowers in her hand. “These belong to you.”

I look up from the video I’m watching about how to use the internet. Hannah loaned me her tablet and showed me how to look up instructional videos. So far, I’ve learned how to download apps on my phone, how to contour my face using my new makeup, and now, I’ve moved on to the World Wide Web.

When Drake dropped me off at home on Monday morning, he left me with strict instructions to rest, so that’s what I’ve been doing. He’s kept in touch through texts and random phone calls while he’s been working on a new project with Easton.

Sitting up on my bed, my mouth drops open. Pinks and blues and yellows are all arranged to make the most beautiful bouquet I’ve ever seen. It’s also the first one I’ve ever received. A small card is attached.

Hannah grins at me as I pluck the envelope and open it, my heart pounding.

Lily,

Thinking of you. I thought these were beautiful, though they’re no match to you. I’ll pick you up for work at six.

Drake

Tears fill my eyes. I read the note several times. It’s handwritten, and it smells like him. I hold it to my chest and look at my best friend.

“Is it possible to fall in love with someone so quickly?”

She sits next to me on the edge of the bed and wraps her arm around me. “Yes. I fell in love with Max the first time I met him. He saw I was struggling to read the train schedule, and he missed his own so he could help me figure out which one I was supposed to get on to get to college. His selflessness was shocking to me. No man had ever put me first. And still, to this day, Max puts me before anything else.”

Gosh, I love that she found such a good man. Someone who accepted her despite the past she came from. It can’t have been easy to date someone who came from a cult.

I sniffle and wipe my eyes. “It’s scary, Hannah. I barely know him.”

“Some people will be in your life for five minutes and have the best intentions for you, while others you’ve known your whole life only want to hurt you. I don’t think time determines how a person should feel. Not everyone is bad, Lily. We didn’t choose the lives we were born into, but most people in the world aren’t like the people in the cult. Drake sounds like a genuinely kind man. I should know; I’ve had my husband look into him.”

Turning my head, I gape at her. “You what ? You had Max stalk him?”

She shrugs and picks at an invisible piece of lint on her thigh. “Max could tell I was worried about you, so he did some research. Did you know Drake donated five million dollars last year to a foundation that helps survivors of human trafficking? He’s also built three apartment complexes in Seattle for low-income families.”

I had no idea. Drake isn’t the type to brag, though. Money has never meant anything to me because I’ve never had any, but I’m pretty sure he has a lot of it. The fact that he gives it away to help others makes me care for him more than I already do.

“Thank you for everything. I don’t know that I would have ever gotten away if it weren’t for you. And Max, too. He’s been kind enough to let me stay with you guys. For a man who had a regular upbringing, he’s been so understanding and patient with us.”

She gives me a squeeze and leans her head on my shoulder. “We’re the lucky ones. I hope one day the rest of the women will escape too.”

That’s been one of my biggest struggles since escaping the cult. Leaving behind the others who deserve to be free. I wasn’t allowed to be friends with other women there, but we were all in the community. I know there are some just like me who want to escape and live a normal life. It sometimes feels unfair that I’m doing that while they’re still there.

“I hope so, too.”

We sit in silence for several minutes, embracing each other. When my tears finally dry, I sit up and let out a deep breath. “I better get ready for work.”

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about my conversation with Hannah. Even as I serve drinks, my mind is elsewhere.

Was it selfish of me to leave the cult? I snuck out in the middle of the night without telling a soul because I didn’t know who I could trust. If my plans had gotten out, who knows what Jack would have done? It wasn’t uncommon for wives to be locked in the house all the time when they misbehaved. I couldn’t take that risk.

My joints are aching, too. I’ve tried to ignore it, but the pain has intensified throughout the evening. Drake checked on me earlier, but other than that, I haven’t seen him tonight. The club has been packed since we walked in, so he and Easton have been helping to monitor the second floor.

“It’s your break time, Lily.”

I glance back at Shelly behind the bar assisting the bartenders. “It’s so busy. I can wait a while until it slows down a bit.”

She arches an eyebrow and smirks. “Sorry, pumpkin. Strict orders from Drake are for you to take your breaks on time, and if not, I am to report back to him. Don’t think you want me to do that.”

Heat spreads through me all the way up to my cheeks. Shelly chuckles and winks at me. “He’s smitten, girl. I’ve never seen Drake like this.”

My tummy does several flips as I set my tray down and try not to smile. “I’m smitten, too, if I’m being honest.”

Shelly leans across the bar and sets a glass of water in front of me. “You couldn’t find a better man than him if you tried. The restaurant is expecting you for dinner. He pre-ordered your meal, so go eat. I’ll see you in thirty.”

When I take a step back and turn toward the restaurant, my ankle rolls, and pain slices through me like a knife. I catch myself before I go down.

“Lily! Are you okay?”

I hold onto the edge of the bar for several seconds, trembling. Shoot . That really hurt. “I’m fine. Just wasn’t paying attention,” I say with a forced smile before I grab the glass of water and head for the restaurant.

I’m nearly sweating by the time I sit down at the same table that Drake and I ate at the other night. Before the waiter appears at the table, Drake strides toward me; his eyebrows pinched with concern.

“Are you okay? Shelly said you nearly fell.”

Darn Shelly. She’s really a tattletale.

“I’m okay. I think I’m having a flare-up. When that happens, my joints aren’t as strong. I’m fine.”

He drags a chair up next to mine and sits down. “What do you mean a flare-up?”

“I have arthritis. It flares up sometimes.”

Drake narrows his eyes. “Arthritis? You told me your joints ache sometimes. That’s a lot different than arthritis.”

I try to keep my face relaxed. The last thing I want is for him to know how much pain I’m in. “It’s nothing. I stepped wrong. I’m fine. I’m on my break, and Shelly said you ordered food for me. It’s all good.”

He clenches his jaw, and my stomach sinks.

“You just lied to me, Lily. It’s not nothing, and you’re not fine. You’re in pain.”

The waiter appears, and Drake speaks before the other guy has a chance. “Bring her meal up to my private suite along with some ice packs and a heating pad.”

“What? No, Drake, I’m fine down here.”

Without waiting for further instructions, the server disappears, and Drake leans so close to me that I can see the gold flecks in his dark eyes.

“Unless you want to start racking up punishments, you’re going to be a good girl and obey.”

I stare at him in stunned silence as he stands and then lifts me easily into his arms. “But I didn’t do anything.”

Not the greatest argument. He shoots me a look as he makes his way down a hall to an elevator I didn’t know existed.

“You’ve lied to me about being okay. How am I supposed to take care of you if you aren’t truthful with me about how you’re feeling?”

Wrapping my arm around his neck, I rest my head on his shoulder and sigh. “I’m not used to someone taking care of me. I’m used to smiling through the pain and pretending nothing is wrong because anything else was unacceptable.”

The elevator doors open, and he steps out into a hall lined with doors. He quickly enters a code into one of them and walks into a dimly lit room. There are several pieces of equipment in here that are similar to the ones I’ve seen on the second floor. A shiver runs through me. Are we going to use any of it?

He strides over to the enormous bed and sets me down, then kneels in front of me and removes my shoes.

“Your ankles are swollen. When you told me your joints ache sometimes, you made it seem like a minor thing. This isn’t minor, Lily.”

I lift my shoulders. “I don’t have flare-ups very often now that I’m on my medication. I’m fine, Drake.”

His gaze narrows. “Baby, if you tell me you’re fine one more time, I’m going to put you over my knee and turn your pretty little ass bright red.”

A shiver rolls down my spine. Despite my pain, my pussy clenches. Drake might be scolding me and threatening me with punishment, but all I hear is that he cares. He cares about me and my well-being. I’ve never had that before.

“I’m sorry.”

“From now on, you’re going to be completely honest with me about your medical condition, about your pain levels, and when you’re having a flare-up. Are we clear on that?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He studies me for several seconds before he gives a sharp nod. “Good. Now, you’re taking the rest of the night off, and you’re going to tell me more about your condition so I can take proper care of you. And don’t even think about arguing with me.”

As much as I want to do just that, I think it’s in the best interest of my butt to keep my mouth shut. Besides, being taken care of by Drake sounds kind of amazing.