Page 121 of The Lilac River

Rage bloomed hot and sharp in my chest.

“Take it all,” I said. “Photos. Folders. Everything.”

“What if he notices it missing?”

“I don’t give a fuck,” I snarled. “Because things are about to get real nasty.”

Minutes later, we slipped out of the apartment, adrenaline crashing through us in waves.

Just in time.

Our phones buzzed in unison.

Wilder

You fuckers better get out of there. He’s having a brandy then heading back for calls. I just survived the most boring night of my life. You owe me!!

I smirked despite the weight on my chest.

Because tonight, we had something real.

And Dad?

He had no goddamn idea what was coming.

Chapter 44

Evidence – Faith No More

Lily

My nerves were shredded as I sat curled into the corner of the big squashy sofa in the kitchen, the soft throw blanket bunched in my lap and my eyes glued to the clock on my phone. I kept checking the time even though I already knew how long it had been—almost two hours since Nash and Gunner left for the Mayor’s apartment.

I chewed the corner of my thumbnail, my teeth worrying at the already raw skin. I couldn’t stop thinking about what they were doing. What they might find. And worse, what would happen if they got caught before they finished.

The nausea roiling in my stomach hadn’t gone away all night. And then there was poor Wilder, stuck entertaining the Mayor over a drawn-out dinner, talking about politics like it wasn’t the most soul-crushing thing imaginable. I didn’t envy him.

I stood and paced once, twice, shaking my hands out like I could release some of the nerves vibrating under my skin.

Then finally the front door creaked open.

My heart kicked hard in my chest as footsteps echoed down the hall. For one awful moment, I expected someone else entirely. But then Wilder appeared in the kitchen doorway, his brow drawn tight, his coat half falling off one shoulder.

“Are they back?” he asked, crossing the kitchen in quick strides. He looked rattled in a way I hadn’t seen him before, less swagger, more anxious. “I messaged them to get out and called when I got to my truck, but they didn’t answer.”

I straightened, crossing my arms over my chest like I needed to physically hold myself together. “Do you think he found them?” My voice cracked.

Wilder let out a slow breath. “I don’t know. They read my message in time. I thought I’d pass them on the road home.” He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it even more than usual.

His worry mirrored my own. They were family, the kind that bled for each other, and it was written all over his face. That particular strain only came with love.

“They’ll be fine.” I tried to sound sure, but it came out more like a prayer. “Maybe they stopped somewhere on the way back.”

“What if he walked in on them?” Wilder’s voice dropped. “You know what he’s like, Lily. He’ll destroy anything that threatens him. Doesn’t matter if it’s his sons or not.”

“Wilder, don’t,” I said quickly, crossing to him and wrapping my arms around his solid frame. “They’ll be okay. And besides, what would he really do to his own kids?”

He didn’t say anything. Just flinched. The silence spoke volumes. He knew, like I did, that Michael Miller wasn’t governed by typical fatherly instincts.

---