by Rene Webb
“I was in Paris,” I tell them nervously, and then add lamely, “France.”
“Can you please tell us where you’ve been and what has happened since,” Agent Farris asks.
Taking a big breath, I close my eyes and call on the love of Aunt Kitty, Peter, and Finn for strength, and I start from the beginning. How I had gone out dancing that night. And after walking out the back door of the club, was attacked and drugged. Then I told them about waking up in a room, and, that looking out the window, I noticed I was on the third floor of a large home. I explained how I had no idea where I was until several days later and the frustration of not understanding the language.
Closing my eyes, I relive my escape attempt and how angry the overseer was. Avoiding their gaze, I describe what life was like in the house. How I served customers food and drinks and cleaned up after them. I omit telling them how I was forced to sleep in a small locked closet; my throat won’t let me give voice to the experience. It’s no wonder I have problems being in enclosed spaces.
I give as little information as possible about Finn, also letting them believe that I knew who he was from the beginning. I glance over at Mr. Templeton several times. He simply smiles and nods, giving me encouragement. I recount our trip from Hong Kong to Paris, and then the events of the last few days. The agents listen and scribble notes on their papers but thankfully don’t interrupt me.
“You did wonderfully,” Ms. Davis says, giving me an encouraging smile.
I smile in return.
“Now, we’re going to ask you a few questions,” Agent Farris says, opening the file folder in front of her.
“Lily needs a small break and something to drink,” Ms. Carol states firmly.
“Of course,” Agent Farris agrees.
After getting me my preferred cup of tea and a bag of vending machine candy, we sit in silence for several minutes.
“How are you doing?” Ms. Carol leans over and asks softly.
“Fine,” I tell her. “I just want this over with.”
“You’re doing great,” she says encouragingly.
“Remember that when they start asking questions, you’re here voluntarily and don’t have to tell them anything that you’re uncomfortable with,” Mr. Templeton says softly.
“Right.” I pop another piece of chocolate into my mouth, letting it melt and release its soothing flavor.
“Let’s get started.” Agent Farris takes command. “We’re going to show you a few photographs.”
“Have you ever seen this man?” the middle-aged Black agent asks gently from across the room, setting a surveillance photograph down onto the table. His accent, a Texas twang, startles me somewhat. I grin at him.
“Yes,” I tell him instantly, recognizing the man who was with Finn at the house in Hong Kong.
“When was the last time you saw him?” he follows up excitedly. “Where?”
“Um—in the house,” I mutter softly, looking down into my teacup.
“Lily,” Agent Farris says, somewhat gently, making me look up at her. “I know it’s hard, but we need you to be more specific. We need you to be the one to give us these details.”
“That man, I don’t know his name, but he came to the house in Hong Kong where I was being held. He visited a few times while I was there, and they all seemed to know and really like him.”
“Did you ever… interact with him?” Agent Texas asks, clearly trying to tip-toe around what was happening in the house.
“Only to serve him food or a drink,” I tell him. “He spent most of his time with one of the other women, I think her name was Biju, or he was with the manager.”
“From your observations, how would you describe their relationship?”
“The manager and that guy?”
“Yes, the manager and Robert Ban,” Agent Texas clarifies.
“They seemed really friendly. Like they’d known each other a really long time.”
“What did you think of him?” Agent Farris asks.
“He left me alone—never tried to touch me—so I liked him,” I mutter softly, taking a sip of my now-chilled tea. “Plus, when Finn and I were making our escape, we were backing out of the house, and he opened the door behind us.”
“So, he helped you and Xavier Finch leave?”
“Yes.”
“Had you ever seen him prior to your kidnapping?” Agent Texas asks.
“No, never,” I answer, before asking, “Why do you want to know so much about him?”
“We believe he is James Mayer’s business partner and helped finance Executive Hospitably Limited,” he tells me. Reading the confused look on my face, he adds, “The house you were held in.”
“Do you think he knew who I was?”
“We believe he did.”
“Then why would he have originally invited Peter to meet him there?”
“We can only guess,” Agent Texas says. “But, having women there of their own free will is one thing. Kidnapping your stepdaughter and keeping her prisoner there is, well, to be blunt, a liability and bad for business.”
“They think that guy you were there with—” I begin telling Finn.
“Robert Ban?”
“Yes. That he is the asshole’s business partner and helped finance the house.”
“Fuck,” Finn mutters. “Really?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Fuck. Keep the movie going, but I have to make a quick call,” he says, jumping up from the couch where we are cuddled up, half watching the rest of the movie I missed last night—we’ve both seen it numerous times. I was also telling him about my day and the interview with the FBI.
After I told them about Robert Ban, they seemed to have a million more questions. Mostly about the other men who had visited the house in Hong Kong. They seemed happy when I was able to point out several of the regulars from photographs they showed me. They then asked about Mayer and everything I knew about him, which I realized wasn’t much, considering I’d known him my entire life. I had plenty of my own questions, especially about my mother’s possible involvement, but they had very few answers they could or would give me.
They did allow me to see my father’s real will. I couldn’t help my eyes stinging with tears as I read his true wish—that I would take over the company. The FBI finally let me go, with no stipulations on who I could or could not spend time with. Before Mr. Templeton and I walked out of the room, Ms. Davis pulled me aside.
“I know it’s not something you want to think about now, but I think it would be helpful for you to talk to someone about what happened to you,” she said softly, pulling out a business card from her pocket. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” I took the card and tucked it into my back pocket.
As we got off the elevator, Finn was there waiting for me in the lobby, along with Aunt Kitty and JoJo. He drove us back to the hotel, just long enough to pick up our luggage, then dropped us off at Peter’s townhouse. Since Mayer was denied bail (he was deemed a flight risk) and I’m now safe, JoJo will be leaving on a late flight back to Washington, DC tonight. I’m going to miss her.
During our lunch, Peter called to let me know that my mother would be at the FBI all afternoon being interviewed. If I wanted to get anything from my childhood home and avoid seeing her, then this would be my chance. Aunt Kitty, who had driven down from Vermont initially before flying to Paris with Peter, used her SUV to take me home—to the place I grew up. It felt strange entering the house after being away so many months. And knowing the asshole lived here. It no longer felt like the safe haven of my childhood, when my father was alive.
After taking the extra key from the fake dog poop, I unlocked the back door and stepped inside. The house looked and smelled the same, but it made my skin crawl. It was no longer home. Aunt Kitty and I quickly went up to my room. The last time I lived there, I was a naïve virgin. I was no longer the girl who slept in that room and dreamed of finding the perfect man.
“Make sure
you take everything that’s important,” Aunt Kitty said gently. “Until you’re ready to see your mom, you won’t get a chance to get back here.”
I nodded and got to work. Taking the wooden jewelry box my father brought back from Hawaii, with Hibiscus flowers carved into the lid, the vestiges of a memory suddenly teased my mind. I set it down on the bed. Opening the cover, I picked up the tray holding an assortment of earrings and rings. Several bracelets and watches lay beneath.
“Auntie,” I cried, pulling out an old forgotten envelope. “It’s real.”
“What is?”
“The letter from my dream.” I held it gently in my hands, my own name staring up at me in my father’s messy script. “How could I have forgotten about this?”
“What is it?” she asked, shoving a pile of clothes into the suitcase and coming over.
“It’s the letter Dad gave me on my fifteenth birthday.” I looked up at her and smiled through my tears. “He told me to wait and open it when I turned twenty-one. How did I forget about it?”
“I don’t know,” Aunt Kitty said, and I could see her eyes were misty as well. “Are you going to open it?”
“Not here,” I said, taking my purse and tucking it inside. “When we get back to Peter’s.”
“Okay, sweetie.” She gave me a one-armed hug and went back to helping me pack up the things I wanted to take with me.
I took out my phone and quickly texted Finn, wanting to tell him what I’d found.
Lily: Found a letter from Dad.
Lily: The one from my dream!
Boss Man: What does it say?
Lily: Going to read it when I’m done packing my room.
Boss Man: Pick u up at 6.
Lily: Xxx
It took a while, but we were soon dragging the suitcases down the stairs and out to her SUV. Earlier, Finn had made it clear that I would be staying with him at his condo, which was perfectly fine by me.
Sitting on the couch at Peter’s, I read my father’s short letter over and over again, my eyes filled with tears.
Lily,
I love you, my sweet girl. I have never been happier than the day you were born and placed in my arms. I am so proud to be your father. Everything I’ve built is for you. As you turn 21, it is now yours. I know you will make me proud and continue the promises of MacKay International—integrity in practice.
To the moon and back,
Dad
Aunt Kitty and I spent the remainder of the afternoon, before Finn picked me up to head to his condo for the night, remembering my father and trying to come up with my plan for the future. Registering for the next semester is my number one priority, along with finding a therapist. As much as I don’t want to talk to someone about what happened to me, I know Aunt Kitty is right, and it’s something I need to do.
Finn picked me up and brought me back to his very-sparse condo—I’d say he was going for a Scandinavian esthetic if I didn’t know better. His housekeeper had dinner waiting for us. As we ate our delicious cheeseburger and homemade French fries, I told him about finding the letter and let him read it. Finn reminded me that Dad gave me the letter only a few months before he died. It sent a chill through me to think that my father knew he was going to be killed and wanted me to know his wishes for the company at the right time.
After dinner, we decided to cuddle on the couch and relax. Finn comes back into the living room from making his impromptu phone call and drops down onto the couch next to me with a sigh.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“You just saved my ass, princess,” he tells me, leaning over and kissing my temple before reaching over to grab his now-lukewarm beer.
“What are you talking about?” I lean back and look at him, smiling.
“I had to go into the office today because we were working on a deal with Ban’s company.”
“What?” I gasp.
“Yes, I just called my lawyer and halted everything,” Finn explains, draining the last of his beer and setting the glass on the table. “Fuck, that could’ve been a mess.”
“What will you do now?” I ask, leaning into his side and cuddling up to his solid warmth.
Wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close, Finn says hotly in my ear, “I’ll let you try out my bathtub.”
“It’s the only reason I’m here,” I tease, looking up at him.
When I arrived at Finn’s minimalistic condo—badly in need of some decorating—that evening, he gave me a tour, making sure to show me his oversized master bathroom, complete with the large soaking tub. He also showed me where his housekeeper had made room for me in his closet and dresser so that I could unpack. I took that to mean he doesn’t want me to leave, which is fine by me.
“The only reason?” Finn leans over and presses me into the couch, kissing, nipping, and sucking on my neck.
I giggle and wrap my arms around his shoulders, anchoring him to me. “You’re also here.”
Before I know what’s happening, Finn is pulling out of my arms and scooping me off the couch.
“Finn,” I cry out in surprise and wrap my arms tightly around his neck, holding on.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to let you go,” Finn says, squeezing me tightly as he walks toward his bedroom.
Chapter Thirteen
~ Lily ~
“Are you awake?” A sleepy voice sounds in my ear from behind as a hand cups my breast and squeezes lightly.
“No,” I groan, pushing my naked body back into the warm, equally naked one behind me.
Not only do I hear, but I also feel, his chuckle reverberating all around me.
I giggle softly.
My man groans, and I feel his cock twitch against my bottom. I press myself intentionally further into Finn, encouraging him. He takes the hint. The hand that was cupping my breast moves down to my body and presses its way between my thighs to cup my pussy. I melt.
Finn’s fingers part my lower lips and tease my clit. Just as he begins kissing and nipping at the back of my neck, I moan with pleasure.
“Are you ready for me?” he asks as he dips his finger into my slick channel.
“Baby,” I groan, tilting my hips to take more of him inside.
“Fuck.”
My groan as Finn’s fingers disappear turns into a moan as he presses his cock fully into me. We rock together for several long moments, the rhythm increasing as we both spiral toward our peak of pleasure.
It’s not long before I’m squeezing his cock, and he’s emptying himself inside of me. After, we lay in silence for several moments. Finn’s arms tighten around me, and I link our fingers.
“Good morning,” I breathe out.
“Morning, princess,” Finn chuckles.
He pulls himself away first and leaves the bed.
After several moments, I follow him. Finn opens the door of the shower with a smile and pulls me into a bruising kiss. I stand under the hot water and watch as he quickly washes himself.
Before he steps out of the shower, Finn kisses me and says, “Take your time, princess. I’ll start breakfast.”
“Okay,” I half yell over the sound of the sprayer.
By the time I’m done in the shower, Finn has left the bathroom. I quickly rifle through the closet to pick out an outfit, feeling right at home. I get dressed and go in search of him.
“Princess, does this match?” Finn asks me when I enter the kitchen.
“Where’s Trevor when you need him?” I tease, kissing his cheek and straightening his tie. “You look very handsome.”
“Sit down,” he tells me, directing me to the table. “I’ll bring you your tea.”
I spin around to see the kitchen table is laden with all of my favorite things. A large delicious looking fruit salad and fluffy, buttery croissants beckon me. I can’t wait to dig in.
“Thank you,” I say as Finn places a steaming mug next to me at the table and sits himself down.
I happily dig into the delicious spread.
We feed each other bites of fruit—and enjoy even tastier kisses—until Finn’s cellphone rings demandingly in his pocket. He takes it out with a long-suffering sigh and sets it down onto the table. I can see the name “Mom” flashing as Finn presses “Ignore.” I don’t say anything since I’m also avoiding my mother. He turns to me and asks, “What are you doing today?”
“Aunt Kitty is picking me up, and we’re spending the morning together and having lunch with Peter,” I tell him. “She’s heading home this afternoon.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Yes,” I say. “She has a life and a husband to get back to. And she won’t be that far away. Once I get a car, I’ll be able to drive up and see her. I can’t wait to meet Mark.”
“You’ll like him,” he smiles, taking a sip of his coffee. “And we’ll get you a new car this weekend.”
“Shopping,” I say excitedly, which gets me a sexy scowl.
“I need to get going,” he grumbles, standing up. He leans back down and murmurs against my lips, “Fuck, I love you.”
“Ditto, stud,” I murmur, pressing my lips firmly to his.
After lunch, Aunt Kitty goes into her bedroom to call Uncle Mark and pack to head back to Vermont. I can tell that she is missing him. It’s now Peter and I sitting in his kitchen enjoying the delicious brownies Aunt Kitty made for dessert. I’ve paired it with a nice cup of English Breakfast tea.
“He needs you,” Peter muses, breaking the silence.
“Who?”
“Finn. I’ve known him a long time, and he needs someone whose loyalty begins and ends with him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone who’ll always be on his side,” he explains.
“I thought you didn’t approve?” I ask, taking out my teabag and taking a tentative sip.
“I thought he’d taken advantage of you,” Peter growls. “That he was using you.”
“You should know Finn better than that. He’s not like that,” I scowl at him. If Peter claims to be such good friends with Finn, then he should know his friend better than that.
