Page 125 of Lilly

She looks to the side. "But that...that wasn't the plan."

"And what exactly was the plan, Katherine?"

She realizes what she said and quickly shakes her head. "No. That's not what I meant. There was no plan."

"Stop lying. It won't do you any good."

"Pearce, please don't do this."

I've never heard her like this. Begging. Pleading. She's truly scared for her life, as she should be. I could shoot her right now. End this. Never have to worry about her again.

"You haven't assured me that Rachel is safe," I tell her.

"She is. I promise you. I'll leave her alone."

"Your promises are worthless."

"Then what do you want from me?"

"I want you to mean it." I step even closer, the gun just inches away from her. "I want you to stop this obsession you have with Rachel. I want you to stop trying to get Lilly into the organization. I want you to stop interfering in our lives."

She nods. "Fine. I'll stop. Now get away from me or I swear I'll scream so loud the whole building will hear."

"And I'll shoot you before that happens. You're not cooperating, Katherine. I'm giving you a second chance here and I suggest you take it before I change my mind."

"I already told you I would leave her alone. Now get that thing away from me!"

"Mother?" A boy appears in the hall and I quickly step back and hide my gun. He walks into the room. "Mother, is everything okay?"

She straightens up, smoothing her hair. "Yes, Conner. Everything's fine."

I look at the boy. He's tall, around six feet, and lean, almost too thin, like his mother. His hair is dark and his eyes are blue, but a darker blue than Katherine's.

"I'll be in my room," he says.

"Conner, wait," she says, turning to him. "We have a guest. Where are your manners?"

"I'm sorry, Mother." He walks up to me, his body stiff, his head held high. "Hello, Sir." He holds his hand out. "I'm Conner."

He's extremely formal, even more so than I was at that age.

"Hello, Conner," I say, shaking his hand. "I'm Pearce Kensington."

He smiles. "Lilly's father."

"Yes. We've met before but it's been a while. At least four or five years. You probably don't remember me."

"How's Lilly?"

"She's good. You should call her sometime."

He glances at Katherine as if he needs her approval to do so.

She nods at him. "Yes, Conner. You should call your sister. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you."

He looks at me again, very intently, and a curiosity fills his face.

"Did you have a question?" I ask him.

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