Page 89 of No More Secrets

Arms folded over her chest, she doesn’t move as he warily approaches. He stops a few feet in front of her. He doesn’t smile.

She pushes away from the car. “I was wrong about you, and I am sorry.”

He squints at her. “You did what you thought was right.” And she was thinking of Shiloh. He can’t fault her for that.

“I let my personal issues influence my judgment. That was unprofessional of me.”

His mouth tightens; then after a beat he says, “Olivia told me Lily hired you.”

“She did. Both of your sisters, actually, and I never should have gotten involved with you, Shiloh, Ivy, anyone for that matter. They asked me to locate you and report back when I found you.”

But she’d rented an apartment from Ivy to get closer to him. “Why didn’t you?” He recalls Olivia telling Lily that Sophie hadn’t been returning their calls.

She twists a stud in her ear. “Remember that story I told you about Alma, the girl I placed with an angel?”

He nods.

“I saw you that night when you brought Shiloh home. I thought... I knew there was a warrant for your arrest and that you’ve had a troubling history with the law, and even though I know Jenna and had just met Olivia, I didn’t know you. I needed to get close to see for myself what was going on. I wasn’t comfortable leaving while she was with you, especially after I saw her black eye and the scratches on her face. If something happened to her...”

“I get it.” She didn’t trust him, and she’d blame herself for not doing something about it.

“I didn’t expect the police to arrest you. I reached out to Shiloh’s mom and was there to bring her home. Anyway, it was a mess. Jenna’s never going to forgive me, and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I read Shiloh’s report. You tried to tell me, and I wasn’t listening. But I understand now you were only helping her.”

“She’d been traumatized enough as it was. I wasn’t going to let anyone else hurt her. How is she?” He’s been dying to find out.

“She’s home.”

“Ellis?”

“Out of the picture. Her mom filed a restraining order.”

He exhales, relieved. Pressing a palm to his eye, he turns away as he collects himself. He’d been so afraid for her.

“I had a lovely chat with Harmony. She really does want to do right by Shiloh. She’s checking into a rehabilitation facility, and Shiloh will be staying with me for a while. I thought maybe, if my apartment is still available after she finishes the school year, Ivy could extend my lease through the summer.”

A smile pulls at his mouth. “I think that can be arranged.”

Sophie grins back. She tosses up her keys and catches them. “How’d you like a ride to your truck?”

His truck is in impound. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

She rounds the front of her car to the driver’s side, and he reaches for the passenger door when he remembers what he’s been wanting to ask her. “How do you know Lily?”

“She’s like a sister to me. My mom, Murielle, took her in when she ran away. I helped her create a new identity. She’s Jenna Mason because of me.”

Lucas stares at her. There it is, what he’s always wondered about when he feared the worst for his sister. Lily hadn’t been alone. She had help. And by the sound of it, she found a new family.

He glances away, eyes stinging. “Sun’s sure bright out here.” His voice catches, and he clears his throat. “My attorney send you?”

“No, but he knows I’m here.”

He pauses. “Yougot the charges dropped?”

She smiles brilliantly. “Shiloh did. That girl went to bat for you. Convinced her mom, the police, and her social worker you were the best thing that happened to her.”

Lucas’s throat abruptly tightens. Joy spreads through his body, giving lightness to his limbs. So this is what it feels like to be worthy.

“Thank you,” he says, breathless.

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