Page 76 of Dirty Deadly & Mine
That’s the second time he’s mentioned that.
Was that why Lily had been crying last night? Because of this prick?
“What’s happened?” I ask, but they both ignore me.
“We need to speak in private.” Barrett’s deep voice is even quieter this time, and Lily gives him a nod before her eyes land on me.
“Would you mind staying in this part of the house? I need some privacy with my cousin.”
I eye Lily warily, trying to figure out what the fuck is going on right now, but I give her a nod, not knowing what else to do.
Barrett turns, shooting me a glare as he walks past, heading towards the front of the house to Lily’s bedroom.
“Hey.” I reach out and grab Lily’s arm as she goes to pass by, her stunning blue eyes meeting mine. “This thing between us… Don’t let him talk you out of it.”
Her expression softens, and I lean in closer, hoping she’ll rise up and kiss me, but she doesn’t. She just offers me a small, forced smile and leaves the room.
Fuck.
This isn’t good. Barrett springing us screwing isn’t fucking good at all. He’ll be in her ear, trying to convince her to stop seeing me. Probably even kick me out.
I don’t care about that part. Sure, I came here for a place to stay until I figure my crap out, but the fights will earn me enough coin to get my own place. I’m no longer here because I need a roof over my head. I’m here to be close to Lily.
If Barrett wants me gone, then he’ll have to fucking kill me to get me out of the picture, because I’m not leaving Lily. Not for anyone or anything.
Pacing the living room, I’m not able to sit still for a moment while Lily is locked away in her room with Barrett. A few times, I hear their muffled raised voices, but I can’t make out what they are saying.
After about five minutes, Lily comes rushing out of herroom, her eyes wild as she darts to the coat stand by the front door, and I step forward, peering down the short passage to see what she’s doing.
She’s rummaging through that big fucking Mary Poppins bag she carries. Things go flying out of it, falling to the floor as she digs through it, and a moment later, she pulls out the envelope that I handed her this morning.
What is she doing with that?
I’m about to call out to ask if everything is okay, but she dashes back into her bedroom and closes the door again.
What the hell are they talking about in there?
It’s nearly impossible for me to stay in the living area and not hover outside her bedroom to eavesdrop. I want to so fucking badly, but I need to be smart.
If Barrett is in there trying to convince her to ditch me, then I need to figure out how I’m going to change her mind again.
After another ten minutes, Lily’s bedroom door opens and I quickly move to the kitchen bench, pretending to wipe it down with the washcloth I’d used earlier.
Both Barrett and Lily step into the room, their postures tense as they stand awkwardly, and Barrett shoots me a glare as he speaks.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t walk in on my cousin fucking her sons’ best mate.”
My brows shoot up, but before I can retaliate or at least defend our actions, Barrett turns and leaves out the front door, slamming it behind him.
My eyes dart to Lily, and the look of sympathy she gives me makes my heart sink.
Fuck. I think I’ve already lost her.
CHAPTER 17
LILY
My cheeks are on fire and my heart is racing like it’s about to explode from my chest as I step into my bedroom with Barrett. I can’t believe he sprung us. It’s utterly mortifying that he saw me in that private moment, let alone that I was in it with a man seventeen years younger than me, who just happens to be Jude and Ronan’s best mate.
