Page 17 of Lilly

I shake my head. "I get the feeling I don't want to hear this."

"I haven't told your mother this yet. I will as soon as we get home and can talk privately. I'd rather talk to her first, but since I'm here and I can't discuss this with you over the phone I—"

"Dad, just tell me." My heart is pounding because I already know this is about the organization. I can tell by the way he's acting.

He sighs. "William is going to temporarily step down from his role at the organization. He's unable to fulfill his obligations while also running his company. It's too many hours and too much stress and his health is suffering. He's already talked to the higher ups and they've approved his request. He got the call right before we left to get on the plane."

"How long is he stepping down for?"

"He's not sure yet. For now, it's only been approved for a few months, but he's hoping he can take a leave of absence until he retires from Sinclair Pharmaceuticals."

"That could be years from now."

"Actually, he's planning on retiring within the next two years."

I look at my dad. "A lot can happen in two years."

He nods. "Yes. And given that William is technically keeping his role as an upper level member, he will not be able to attend the regular meetings."

"Why not?"

"A person at his level cannot attend meetings with the rest of us. That's been a rule since the group was founded."

"So what are you saying?"

"William needs someone to attend the meetings for him. Be his eyes and ears. Let him know if anyone's causing trouble."

"And let me guess...that someone is you?"

He hesitates. "Yes."

"Fuck." I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "You can't do this, Dad. Tell William to find someone else."

"There is no one else. I'm the only one he trusts."

I sit up straight. "If you do this, you'll be part of it again. You won't be able to go back to your regular life."

"Garret, I've been part of it this whole time. Just because I don't attend all the meetings doesn't mean they've let me go. The only reason I've been able to keep my distance is because of William. But even without him stepping down, there's a good chance this would've happened anyway. I couldn't stay away forever."

I glance back at the house and see my mom in the kitchen with Jade. They're each holding one of the twins while the girls dance around. "Please don't do this. Please don't bring this back into our lives. I have a family. I have my mom back. I can't risk something happening to them."

"It won't. I promise I will keep you and Jade and the children out of this."

"How? I know they still want me to be part of it. Every damn day I worry they'll come back for me."

"They won't. I'll make sure of it. You just have to trust me."

"And what about Mom? What if they...what if they try again?"

"I already gave them my company in exchange for her safety. If they don't honor that agreement, I will kill them. Every last one of them. And they know that. I've made it very clear. I've even spoken those words. If they want to live, they'll leave her alone."

He has that look in his eyes. That dark, threatening look that is not my dad, but the killer he used to be. It remains there for just a moment, then fades away.

"When does this start? When's the next meeting?"

"In a few weeks. I'll let you know before I go. Just as a precaution, I want your mother and Lilly to stay with you while I'm gone."

"You just said—"

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