Mesmerized (14 page)

"I am involved like it or not. We’re talking about our daughter. Plus, I have Camille to help me should anything go wrong." 

"It's the only way and you know it." Camille stared intently at Gregory. 

"Damn it." He slammed his hand on the table. "If anything happens to you..."

Lily was surprised that John didn't react to the fact that her mother could get into a secured building. She wondered if he was aware of her mother’s skills. 

Her father looked at John and nodded. "When Sandra comes out with him she will lead him off the property. You will have men ready to take care of any of the guards that follow."

"Not a problem." John rolled the paper. "I need twenty-four hours."

Gregory looked at his watch. “We’ll go tomorrow at nightfall.” 

John waked out without saying good-bye to any of them. He was a very strange man. 

"Dad, how do you know that man?"

"He's a business associate."

Lily was skeptical but she could tell she shouldn't press the issue. "What are Jake and I going to do?"

"You'll be with me, so I know you are safe." 

Chapter Seventeen

"I need to find an herbal shop," Camille said. 

"Well, let’s go." Sandra leaned over and kissed her husband. "We'll be back tonight."

"Be careful."

"Always."

The door shut softly behind them. The room always felt emptier when her mother left; she was so full of life. 

"Looks like it's just us." Lily looked over at her dad and Jake.

"You two are on your own. I have things to do." He walked towards the door and turned back. His eyes met Jake’s. "Don't even think of doing anything with my daughter."

"No, sir." 

The door closed, and Jake and Lily looked at each other. Lily smiled. “So? What do you want to do?”

Jake laughed. “Not sure there is much we could do without getting in trouble.”

Lily ran the tips of her fingers up and down Jake’s arm. “I know what I’d like to do with you.”

Jake felt his cheeks burning. “I’d like that too, but we can’t. Maybe we could watch a movie?”

“Humph.” Lily pouted. She grabbed the remote and turned the TV on. Switching through channel after channel, she yawned. “Nothing much on.”

Jake tried to concentrate on the channel Lily had left it on, but found it difficult with Lily’s hands roaming all over the place. He chuckled to himself. It was usually the guy acting this way and the girl stopping him, but not in their case. 

He took her hand in his. "You need to stop."

“You’re no fun.” She stuck out her lower lip. 

“I don’t need your dad throwing me out. Your family is helping me and I need to respect their wishes.”

“He wouldn’t...not really. He understands it’s my fault.”

“Still.” He squeezed her hand and turned his attention to the TV.

Lily sighed and flipped through the channels again. She finally stopped on a comedy. After a few minutes, she laid her head in Jake’s lap. 

“Is this okay?” she asked sarcastically.

“Yes.” He reached down and stroked her hair. He watched her face as she focused on the movie. She was absolutely beautiful and he wanted to give her everything she wanted. He found himself daydreaming about the day they would live together and not have parents—or crazy old men—to worry about. Of course, he’d have to get through the next couple days first. 

When the movie was over, Lily shifted and stared up into Jake’s blue eyes. “I can’t help what I feel for you.”

“I know.”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“Sometimes I think about taking off the necklace so I can feel the passion even more with you.”

He smiled and played with her necklace letting his mind wander. “Maybe someday.”

“I can tell you want to.”

“Well, yeah, Lily. I want to. But, I have to control myself. Trust me it's not easy.”

Lily knew it was wrong to want to be with him right there in that moment, but her body kept telling her otherwise. Her body was screaming that it was right. She sat herself up in his lap and threw her arms around his neck. She knew exactly how to get him going. She kissed his neck and breathed into his ear. She continued kissing him until she reached his lips and then she hesitated, licking her lips, teasing him.

It didn’t take him long to let go and press his lips against hers, slowly making his way down her neck.

He stopped kissing and was breathing hard. “Lily, we can’t do this right now.”

“Oh c’mon.” She wrapped her fingers in his hair. 

 “Lily, stop. I...I want to be with you forever. I don’t want your dad mad at me for all that time as well. I don't want this to be all that is between us.”

 Lily stood up and stomped away. In the hotel bedroom, she paced the length of the room, fiddling with her necklace the whole time. She knew he was right. She couldn’t help the way she felt. She wanted him, all of him, all the time. That’s what she was. But, she also wanted a real relationship not based only on sexual attraction. She was pretty disgusted with herself. How could she even be thinking of sex at times like this? 

She heard the door open in the other room and voices. Sighing she thought maybe it was a good thing Jake had stopped her. They would be in an awkward predicament right now if she had.

She peeked out the door. Jake and her dad were talking. Upon seeing her, Gregory said, “We’re going to be going out to eat shortly. Make sure you’re ready.”

Lily nodded, glanced at Jake, and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Once finished, she stood in front of the mirror contemplating what to do with her hair and make-up. She put on the only dress she had brought—a black wrap-dress that accented her curves. Her necklace was on display because her top plunged so low. She stepped into her heels. She wrapped her hair in a loose bun and clipped it up. Stray hairs fell to perfectly frame her face. 

Her mother should approve.

Lily leaned forward in the mirror and grabbed her make-up bag. She pulled out mascara and eyeliner. She wanted to go for a more dramatic look tonight. A touch of blush and some lip-gloss and she was done.

“I’m ready,” Lily announced she walked slowly and deliberately.

Jake gasped as she walked in. Every step she took was a promise of what was behind the slits in her dress. Lily was going to drive people crazy and it seemed like she enjoyed the idea. Jake wondered if she was still upset with him and trying to make him jealous. That didn’t sit well with him.

Everyone looked up at her. “You look lovely,” her mother commented.

“Beautiful.” Jake smiled at her.

“Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her purse.

***

They chose to eat at a fancy restaurant. Everyone else stood back as Lily’s mother charmed the host into giving them a table without a reservation. 

Lily could tell Jake was uncomfortable. She wondered if was the place or because of the close call they had earlier. She didn't talk to him on the ride over, so he probably thought she was still angry at him. She wasn't angry at him; she was angry at herself. 

Lily didn't care for fancy restaurants—she’d rather go to a steakhouse or pizza joint. Her mother, on the other hand, liked any excuse to dress up. Lily hated how she felt like she had to be on display whenever she was out with her mother. 

The menu was in a different language. French maybe? When it was her time to order, Lily went blank. 

Her mother looked at the waiter and told him something in flawless French. She smiled at Lily. “I ordered for you, dear.”

Lily nodded. She sometimes wondered if she’d ever be as intelligent and sophisticated as her mom. The adults talked a lot, not mentioning much about what was going to happen the next night. Jake and Lily sat quietly until their dinner came. The talk died down while everyone ate, but started right back up when they were done. Lily peeked over at Jake and rolled her eyes. He smiled. 

When dinner was over, the owner came to the table to ask how everything was. Sandra started to flirt with him and the owner started insisting dinner was on the house until Gregory stood up and said, “Please bring us the check so we can pay.”

The owner nodded and walked away.

Sandra turned to her husband. “What did you do that for? We could have had a free dinner.”

“We have plenty of money, Sandra. We don’t need you to flirt with people to get out of paying.”

“But, it’s more fun my way!”

He sighed and sat back down to wait for the bill. Turning to Jake, he said, “You would think after all these years she’d be bored of it.”

After paying the bill and leaving a generous tip, the five of them walked out and headed back to the hotel. Lily’s parents went to their room and Camille to hers. Lily lingered in the living room. “I wish you could come in my room with me.”

“It’s fine—”

“I know. But, I want you with me.”

“We’ll be together soon enough.” His fingers brushed the side of her face. “After tomorrow, we’ll have forever.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Just have faith, Lily.”

She nodded, trying to believe what he was saying. “I better go before my parents come back out.” She leaned closer and gave Jake a long, soft kiss.

Lily lay in bed awake most of the night. She tossed and turned, worried about the next day. She didn’t like the sound of everything, but Jake was right, she had to have faith that somehow it would all work out. She never thought she’d find anyone to be with and now here she was with Jake. That had to be fate...right?

Jake dreamt of Lily again. She wore the same long white gown she always did in his dreams. She approached him with her smile and seductive eyes. She took off laughing behind the trees. Jake ran faster. His heart was pounding. He was so close. If he could just go a little faster, he could reach her.  She tripped, and he reached out to grab her, but she slipped through his hands. He glanced around frantically, but she was gone. 

Jake woke up sweating and shaking. The dream had seemed so real. He wondered why he had gotten closer this time and then lost her. He hoped it wasn't a sign of things to come. With a heavy heart, he got out of bed. 

He could hear Lily singing in the shower. The sound of her voice gave him hope. He had to believe this would end well. He had been alone for so long that the thought of losing his chance with Lily was something he knew he couldn't handle. 

Chapter Eighteen

It was time. 

They gathered in the living area. Her father commanded the room. "Does everyone know their part?"

They all nodded in agreement. 

"We have all the pieces ready, but be prepared, this can all go to hell real quick. Plans rarely go off without a hitch."

He glanced over at his wife. "Do what you have to get the guy in charge out, but don't put yourself in danger. We have something that he wants badly, and he is willing to do anything to get it."

"Don't worry about me. Just make sure the children are okay. Camille will be with me and she can handle anything that monster might throw our way."

"Dad, are you sure there is nothing we can do to help? It doesn't seem fair that this trouble is because of us and we have to stand on the sidelines."

"We will see how it unfolds. We may need you at some point. Just be prepared to step in if the occasion should arise." 

Jake grabbed Lily's hand and squeezed it tightly. "I just wanted to say thank you for going through this trouble for me. I have been running from this family for as long as I can recall. I don't know how to repay you."

"You can repay us by taking care of our daughter," Gregory said. 

"You can count on that." 

A few minutes later, Sandra and Camille left, leaving Gregory, Jake, and Lily at the hotel.

Sandra and Camille pulled up to the security gate. 

A guard walked toward their car. He looked to be in his early thirties and obviously spent a lot of time at the gym. "This is private property. You need to turn around."

Sandra rolled down her window and casually draped her arm on the door. "We're here to see Henry. He's expecting us."

"I would have been told if he was expecting guests. I'm sorry. You need to vacate the property now."

She leaned out the window a little and took off her glasses. "I have an invitation. One second.” She turned to Camille. “Camille, where is that paper?"

She fumbled around and then handed an envelope to Sandra. "It's right here."

The guard took a step closer to look at the paper. Sandra touched his arm and the guard glanced down her meeting her eyes. "Let us through. Do not call anyone and tell them we are on our way. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I understand.” 

“They will see you on the security cameras though," Camille whispered.

"We'll worry about that when we get there." Sandra released the guard’s arm and gave him a dazzling smile. "Thank you." 

The gate slowly raised and they eased their way forward. The driveway was long and winding through the woods that surrounded the property. The house, if you could call it that, was even more impressive in person. The car rolled to a stop. 

"Are you ready?" Sandra asked Camille. 

"Of course. Open the damn door."

Sandra pushed the door open and slowly swung her legs out. As soon as she stood up, guards surrounded her. She raised her hand in the air. "Really boys? Is that necessary?” she asked as she glanced around at all the guns pointed at her.

Her eyes took them in one by one looking for the leader. "How did you get Victor to let you through?" The man was tall and lean. His hair was cropped short and he had intense grey eyes. Confidence and authority radiated off him. 

"I asked nicely." 

"Doesn't work that way." The man took a couple of steps forward, his gun leveled at her. "Turn around and put your hands on the hood."

She slowly turned and he advanced. She felt his breath on her neck as he quickly patted her down. The short dress barely covered her, let alone allowed room for a weapon. She was her own weapon—something he would not be expecting. "Turn."