Page 78 of No More Secrets

He hurriedly unlatches and opens his door. “You okay?”

She looks up at him with big eyes. “I want to go home. My home,” she clarifies.

“Now?”

“No, tomorrow, after the book event. You’re not getting out of introducing me to your sister.” She jabs a finger at him.

“Shiloh, I can’t—” He shakes his head. He’ll take her anywhere but home. “What about Ellis? You aren’t safe with your mom.”

“I know. That’s why I want you to take me. If you’re there, he won’t try anything. And you can help me convince her she’s better off without him.”

“I don’t know.” He’s shaking his head, having his doubts. With his background, he’s the last person anyone will listen to. He’s a stranger to her mom. Practically one to Shiloh. Ellis will see him as a threat. Who knows what he’ll do? He could have a weapon Shiloh isn’t aware of, and he might not be afraid to use it. Lucas would much rather take her straight to his place, where he knows she’ll be safe, and he tells her so. They can call her mom from there.

“I have to see her in person. For once I want her to look me in the eye and choose me, not him. And I want her to promise she’ll stop using. If she doesn’t, then, well, I’ll tell her I’m moving to California City with you. That you’ve given me a job, and I’ll finish high school there. That is, if I’m still welcome.”

Of course she is, but as with Ivy, he can’t make promises. Until he straightens his own issues, he doesn’t know what commitments he can make.

There’s also another not so tiny issue.

“It won’t work.” Her mom will call the police on him if he takes in Shiloh without her permission. He’s already crossing that line.

“How do we know if we don’t try?”

He groans his annoyance. He doesn’t.

“You know I’m right.”

He knocks his forehead against the door. “Yes, I do.” They won’t know what her mom will say or do unless they try. And Shiloh’s well-being is worth that try. The same goes with Lily. He can’t control how she’ll react when he confesses what he did. But he can no longer put off making that first step. He has to try, even at the risk she’ll never want to see him again.

As for him and Shiloh, he already knows her mother will never allow her to live with him, not with his record and lack of parenting experience. Not that Harmony’s one to talk. But he might be able to convince one of his sisters to look after her. Because he can’t leave her in New Mexico where Ellis has access to her.

“All right. We’ll go see Lily tomorrow; then I’ll take you home.”

34

Lily’s book signing is outside at the Grove, an upscale shopping plaza, and the turnout is insane. People mill about, waiting for a chance to meet the author Jenna Mason.

Lily.

Hisbaby sister.

A stage has been set up front with two armchairs where a guy named Felix, an editor withComic Sonicmagazine, will interview Lily. From what he researched of the event last night, the interview will be live streamed on YouTube. Off to the side is a table stacked with books for Lily to sign afterward. Lifesize banners of her quirky characters frame the stage. Music blasts from the speakers surrounding the makeshift arena. He overheard one kid tell his mom it’s the theme song to Lily’s upcoming movie. Shiloh mentioned a second trailer dropped last night. She saw it while flipping through the TV in her hotel room.

Lucas takes it all in. There must be several hundred kids here, along with another few hundred parents. So many people. Laughing and shouting and singing along. How do they know the words already? Some kids are in cosplay dressed as Lily’s characters. Others wave books and merchandise for her to sign. Pop Figures and stuffed animals. Lego boxes and shirts.

This is nuts.

So is his idea, he realizes, having second thoughts as he notes the number of media and security present. His idea to apologize to Lily here about ranks up there with the one that landed him in juvie all thoseyears ago. This isn’t the time or place. If he hadn’t promised Shiloh she could meet her, he’d leave. He’s still tempted to take off.

The afternoon sun beats down on him. Sweat drenches his forehead and pools in the curve of his lower back. He’s melting, and his mouth is as dry as the desert he lives in. He hasn’t had a drink in thirty-six hours, and he’s feeling it. He’s anxious and jittery. And he’s about to see his sister for the first time in fourteen years. God willing, she’ll forgive him.

Beside him, Shiloh appears just as overwhelmed. She hugs Lily’s books he bought her upon their arrival that she plans to get signed. “Can we get closer?”

They need to if he wants the chance to introduce Shiloh and Lily. “Yeah, come on.” He leads her toward the stage where he’s seen VIPs enter backstage. The area is cordoned off with tape and manned by a burly security guard in black and a well-dressed woman with an iPad. Arms crossed over a meaty chest, the guard moves into Lucas’s path as he and Shiloh approach.

“I need to get back there,” Lucas says.

“Name?” The well-dressed woman taps her iPad.

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