Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tristan
This stalker situation is making me crazy.
It’s now been another week and we haven’t heard anything.
Grayson thinks that it’s a strategy play.
I was supposed to turn over this assignment at the end of the week.
But I asked Grayson if I could stay on till it’s resolved.
He agreed to keep me on and the guys are staying too.
This week we’re headed to Chicago for the concert. And I’m feeling less stressed because I know we’re going to have extra help there. I’ve talked to Grayson about the trip and he said to call him if anything comes up. It’s nice to know he trusts me to protect Lily.
“Cora seems really excited for the concert.” I say to Lily as I help her cook dinner.
“She’s wanted to see them in concert for almost two years.”
“That’s a long time. Do you like them too?”
“Sure. I like their music. Do you?”
“I’ve heard a few songs. I’ve never met them, I’ve heard the family talking about them. I’ve been told that we do security for them. And Quinn is part of our family, she’s with Jagger.”
“Omg. You know Quinn? I’ve seen pictures of them together. She’s adorable.” Cora says as she joins us.
“Jagger and Quinn live in Lake Renegade.”
“So wait. You mean if we move to Lake Renegade, I can be friends with Quinn Peligue?”
I laugh. “Yes.”
“This week is the best week ever. What time are we leaving?”
“Well we’re stopping over night in Oklahoma. So we’ll get to the hotel in Chicago on Tuesday.”
“Are we going to Lake Renegade?” Cora asks.
“Yes. The plan is to go there on Tuesday after we check into the hotel.”
“I’m excited to see where you live. Everything you’ve told me about it makes me want to see it.” Lily smiles.
I hold her and kiss her.
“Have you thought about coming with me to Lake Renegade for good?”
“Are you sure that’s something you want? What if you get tired of me? Or figure out that I’m not who you really want?”
“Lily, I don’t know if I can explain how I know you’re the one for me. Because I don’t know how I know this. But I know that it’s you I want. No one else. I know that you’ve been hurt and that’s making it hard for you to trust this. But I’ll wait as long as I need to for you.”
Lily
I reach up and kiss Tristan. He’s everything I’ve wanted in a man.
He’s patient and kind. And he’s not afraid to show me how he feels in front of our friends.
That’s one thing Carson was weird about, public affection.
He did it sometimes. But most of the time he didn’t do more than hold my hand in public.
It always made me sad. But Tristan? He’s always touching me, hugging me, kissing me.
I love how he treats me and I don’t want to lose him.
Everyday he asks me if I’ve decided to move to Lake Renegade with him.
Paisley and Cora said they’re coming if that’s what I decide to do.
And that makes me feel so much better. Because I won’t be leaving them behind.
“Is it time to leave yet?” Cora asks.
“You sound like Apollo when he talks about food.” Eros laughs.
Cora makes faces at Eros.
“We’re leaving after breakfast.” I laugh.
“Woooo! Eat faster!”
“You can’t rush eating.” Apollo says as he stuffs more food in his mouth.
Two hours later we’re on our way to Chicago. We’ve had to take two cars because there was no way all eight of us would fit into their SUV. The five of them barely fit into it.
I’ve never had so much fun on a road trip before.
I’m in the car with Cora, Eros, Apollo and Tristan.
Paisley said she had to drive the other car because she doesn’t trust anyone driving her around.
Armando argued with her for a while, but he still lost. Listening to Eros and Apollo bicker keeps us laughing.
Every time we stop, Apollo has to get something to eat.
“I think you need Gia to take a look at you.” Eros says to his brother.
“Why? I’m not sick.” He frowns as he grabs snacks.
“You eat way more than any of us. I think you have a tape worm.”
“I do not have a tape worm.” He squints at Eros.
“Then maybe YOU are a tape worm.”
“You’re insane. Go away.”
“Are they like this all the time?” I whisper to Tristan.
“Yep. Wait till you meet the other two brothers, Ares and Adonis. They’re all like this.”
“That’s too funny. Makes me miss my brothers.”
“Have you told them and your parents what’s going on?”
“No. I don’t want them or my parents to worry.”
“Baby, you need to tell them. Just in case something happens, they need to know. It’s not going to be a good situation if I have to call them.”
“Maybe we can go and see my parents?”
“They live in Evanston?”
“Yeah, I think it’ll be easier to talk to them in person and I’d like you to be there.”
“I’ll be there with you.” He says as he hugs me.
“You make me feel safe, thank you.”
Tristan
“You are safe with me.” I say as I kiss her. “We can go there after we get checked in at the hotel.”
“What about Lake Renegade?”
“We can still go there after, but talking to your parents is important.”
“Thank you.” She says as she hugs me.
The rest of the trip back to Chicago is uneventful. I’m starting to get more anxious about this stalker. Why would you threaten someone and then go silent for so long? I’ve brought this up to my brothers, none of them have dealt with someone like this.
“When we get back home, Enea wants us to have a few others with us for the concerts. There’s so many people that will be there, we need the help.” Eros says to me.
“I still don’t understand why this asshole goes silent. What’s the purpose of threatening and then poof. Nothing.”
“I wish I knew.”
The only good thing about this trip is that Lily will meet my family. I already know they’re going to love her.