“I understood all of it,” I finally said, still watching her. “I’m doing what needs to be done to keep her safe.”
Royal sighed, exasperated. “You’re getting too close. You know what Declan will say.”
“Declan has no say, considering he didn’t tell us a fucking thing,” I said, but the words felt wrong, hollow.
I hung up, running a hand through my hair. Inside the meeting room, Lily stood, facing the board with almost defiant determination. Her voice was steady as she explained the attack, the measures she had taken, and how the safety of her students was her priority.
“We appreciate your commitment, Ms. Andrews,” one of the board members said, steepling his fingers, “but given the current circumstances, we need to consider the liability.”
“I understand,” she said, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.
Another member, an older woman with a severe bun, leaned forward. “Who was the man with you?”
“Ryker,” she said, surprising me with how easily she claimed me. “He’s a friend. He saved those kids’ lives today.”
The woman frowned. “And what exactly does he do?”
Lily paused. I held my breath. “He’s... he’s protecting me,” she said finally.
There was a ripple of confusion around the table.
“From who?”
Her silence spoke volumes.
“We need to be assured of the children’s safety,” the first member said. “We think it might be best if you took some time away. For everyone’s sake.”
My jaw tightened as I watched her nod silently, her chin high, and all I wanted to do was slay her dragons for her.
“Very well,” she said. “I’ll take a leave of absence. But only until this situation is resolved.”
The board seemed relieved, dismissing her with polite but firm gestures.
I waited for her in the hallway. She stepped out, and the mask of composure slipped for just a moment. Seeing me, she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders.
“You’re right,” she said, her voice resigned. “I need to disappear.”
“I have a place,” I said, keeping my voice low. “We can leave tonight.”
She looked at me, really looked at me, as if weighing everything that had happened. Then she nodded.
“Thank you,” I said, surprising even myself.
“For what?”
“For not giving them too much,” I said. “About me.”
“You’re the only one who’s told me anything so far,” she replied quietly.
I felt a pull in my chest, the same one that had started the first time she’d smiled at me over a vanilla latte. “Let’s get out of here,” I said.
After stopping at her place to grab a few things and her cat, we drove in silence, the city lights fading to darkness behind us. With each mile, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.
“Where are we going?” she asked finally, her voice cutting through the hum of the engine.
“A cabin, about three hours from here,” I said. “No one knows about it except Royal.”
“And Royal is...?”
