Page 47 of Bloody Business

Overall, Julep was feeling a lot better as they headed home, possibly due to the tiny glass of green wine Gal talked her into.It wasn't bad, but it wasn't something she would order again.Thankfully, it was followed by a sweet white drink of her favorite sake, which ensured she wasn't thinking anything terribly serious on the way home.She wasn't walking straight either, but that was a minor matter.Gal kept her pointed in the right direction.

The goal of family unity was achieved, and it had been a very interesting day.

??

“Please have a seat, Lily.”Artur gestured to the seat in front of his desk.

Lily nervously sat down.She wasn't sure why she was there.She'd come over to play games with her friends.Artur hadn't spoken to her before.Did he not like the drawing?

“First off, I want to compliment you on the portrait you made of my wife.You captured her well.”

She relaxed a bit.“Thank you.”

“Credit where it is due.You have quite a talent.

“Unfortunately, I have some concerns about your background.For instance, your guardian is Hurdle Kan.”

“Yes sir,” Lily said respectfully.She wasn't sure where he was going with that.

“His brother is Zul Kan.”

Her eyes widened.“Yes, sir.”It's not that she didn't know that her guardian's brother was a mobster.It was just that she didn't have any dealings with him personally.

“Are you aware your guardian once tried to kidnap my wife for his brother?”

She stared at him, horrified.“No sir!I...no sir.”She never asked her guardian what he did for Zul Kan.She'd always had the vague feeling that she didn't want to know.Now it was officially in her face, and she couldn't ignore it.

He stared at her, taking her measure.He believed her horror was real.But he didn't think she was surprised.Finally, he came to a decision.“You will leave my house, and you won't come back.You won't speak to my children or their friends.If I find out that you have, I will find you and we willtalk.”He sunk menace into the word, so there’d be no doubt what he meant.

“Yes sir,” she choked out.

“You're dismissed.”He made a small shooing motion.

She shot to her feet and hurried out the door.

??

“Lily.”Tashi waited for her outside Bloodhand's gates.He sat straight, his expression grave.How had he known?He must have guessed.

“I can't talk to you!”She couldn't bear this.She didn't want him to see her crying.She was in the wrong, and she hated it.

“Because of Bloodhand?”

Bloodhand was one reason.She got two steps farther.

“Stop, Lily.”he didn't raise his voice, but it was an unmistakable command.Either she would stop, or he would stop her.She wasn't getting away.

She stopped and stared blindly at the stone road.

“Look at me.”

She dragged her gaze to his, ashamed he could see her crying.

“Bloodhand does not control the house of Yal.He sees to his affairs, and we see to ours,” he said grimly.

She drew in a rough breath.“What do you want?Someone is probably watching.I have to go.”She tried to sound tough, but it came out watery.Stupid tears.

She dashed them away with her wrist and stood up straighter.She could at least pretend to have a spine.

---