by H. Q. Frost
"She owes one of Rima's men money for drugs that was stolen from her. She had them in her purse and she got robbed in the subway."
"Fifty seven thousand!" he bellowed.
"I didn't say she's fuckin' smart!" Lilith snapped, not wanting him to yell at her.
"Say no! Why can't you say no?"
"Because she's desperate, Ian. She's technically family and they're threatening her life. I couldn't live with knowing she was killed after coming to me for help that I denied her."
"Holy fucking shit, Lily." He shifted on his feet.
"Return the car."
"No!" he snapped. "You want the car, you're having the fucking car. I know you haven't been paying yourself for working. You're keeping the fuckin' car."
"I don't have that kind of money in my personal account."
"I know you don't," he barked.
Lilith pushed her hand to her nose and closed her eyes tightly. It was all too much to take for a day that started shitty with her sobbing for an hour about her mother. Ian resenting her for wanting Justin and borrowing her ungrateful cousin a mass amount of money only made her feel like she was drowning in stress with no lifeline.
He knew what the look meant and he didn't want to be the one to push her overboard. "Baby," he softly said, pulling her to his chest. "I have the money."
"I know you do." The tears broke free. "But we need it for other things." A sob made her chest bounce and he rubbed her back, holding her tighter. "You have to pay out seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars in two weeks." Pulling from his arms she crossed the room to sit down.
"I have the money. When does she need it?"
"Today." Her tears weren't letting up and she covered her face.
"Hey, calm down, baby," he whispered, squatting next to her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
There was a knock at the door before it was pushed open. Ian got to his feet and Tash tried to walk away but when she saw Lilith crying, she rushed in.
"Lily, I think you should go home for the day," Ian said.
Lilith dropped her hands and saw Tash ready to tell Ian off for making her cry.
"Lily, what's wrong?" she snapped, walking to her other side.
"My good for nothing family that's not really my family." Lilith cried a little harder and Tash put her arms around her.
She leaned into Tash and Ian cleared his throat before leaving the room. He should have been the one comforting her, and it was killing him he couldn't. Going to his office, he called the bank to allow the release of the money.
"We'll fax over the form, Mr. Jacks. I just need your signature because you're the primary account holder. She'll need two forms of identification."
"A license and credit card? Will that be sufficient?"
"That'll be fine. Mr. Jacks, a few weeks ago you mentioned her name changing soon. Has that taken effect? Because if her identification doesn't indicate Lilith Tudor, I can't release the funds."
"No, not yet. Thank you, Sara." He hung up the phone.
A few short minutes later, Veronica was knocking on his door with the fax. "This is for you," she stammered and tried to leave.
"Veronica," he said in an annoyed tone. "I need you to fax this back." He quickly signed the form and held it out to her. Able to tell he was perturbed, she wouldn't make eye contact. "Thank you."
Grabbing his phone, he text Lilith.
IAN: You can go to the bank and get the money, baby. You need your license and another form of ID with your name on it. Lily I don't want you meeting her anywhere shady with this money. Come back here to give it to her and don't take her to the bank. She's a drug dealer and a shitty one.
Lilith's phone beeped and she nervously grabbed it. After reading Ian's text, she smiled because of his last sentence.
MY FREYJA: I said the same thing to her. I'll be back in an hour. I love you Ian with all of my heart. You're the only one who could own my heart like this.
Ian grinned reading her text, then read it over four times before exhaling loudly as Justin Borg came to mind.
IAN offers everything until his heart is crystal clear
I can't blame the guy. First off, he doesn't know about me and Lily, and secondly, I fell for her too. I knew it that night in the club. I knew he would become infatuated with her. To be honest, I haven't been keeping track of her schedule, so I don't know who she's been on dates with, but now I'm going to make it a point to check up on how often she's seen Borg.
I know what I did was selfish and reckless, but when I saw that look on her face, the look of 'oh shit, my two boyfriends just met', I was surprised. That was my first emotion. The emotion that took over afterward began to heat me from the inside out and I was battling containing a rage I wanted to release onto Justin. Knowing I couldn't attack him, I had to claim my property and show Borg, Lily's my girl.
It can't get out about Lily and me because Karen is not in a good mental state, and on top of that, I have her family on my ass blaming me for everything.
When I woke up this morning to Lily crying I can't begin to explain the crushing feeling in my chest. I didn't know why she was crying but I automatically assumed it was something I'd done, until I saw the pictures. It kills me that her birth mother's fuckup still has such power over Lily's life. I'll always be here for her. I'll always take care of her. She'll never be alone. Of course she won't; I'm not the only one that wants her.
Letting Justin Borg have a piece of Lily is gut wrenching. I can deal with her being an escort, but now we're delving into an emotional bond with another man.
She has fun with him…
Keeping Lily as my secret is going to be hard, especially now that I'm threatened with Borg. Her other little boyfriend is in the fuckin' Caribbean, and he doesn't pose much of a threat. She's not with him enough.
There's no way I would tell her she can't see Borg, because she did it for me and if it didn't come out that Karen got pregnant by Tony, I would still be with Karen. Still fucking Karen, telling her I love her, making her laugh, having good times with her. Besides, she's not in love with Borg, but I really don't understand what he's got that I don't. He's a fuckin' hothead. That guy's been in more fights than both hands can count. He's got tattoos, that's about all he's got. I'll get a fuckin' tattoo if Lily wants me to. All in all, I do see he's a completely different man, kind of how I viewed Lily and Karen, but fuck!
I'll do whatever it takes to keep her happy and I'll keep reminding her who treats her better and who loves her more. Who got her to where she is today.
IAN: You've already done payroll, go home for the afternoon. I mean it, Lily. All the girls have your number and you're fully capable of working from home, so go. I'll be home no later than eight. I love you more than I could ever put in words. You have no idea the lengths I'd go to keep you happy and with me.
Lilith huffed and rolled her eyes at his text, thinking 'yeah such great lengths, except when it came to Karen'. The idea to leave the office sounded great, but she wanted it to be with him.
"You sure you're okay, Lily?" Tash asked in a soft tone.
"I am." Lilith wiped her face. "I'm gonna go home."
Tash smiled and nodded. "I have everything under control, and if I don't, I'll call you."
"Do, Tash. Don't stress yourself out. This could happen." Lilith gestured to herself then let out a laugh. Tash hugged her unexpectedly and Lilith went stiff, but gave in as the comfort from her embrace felt genuine.
Going to the bank was nauseating. Never in her life had she had that kind of money in her possession and it made her a nervous wreck. She carried a black bag that the bank provided to her car and quickly locked the doors, texting Joanna.
LILY: Be outside the building in twenty minutes. I will not wait longer than ten minutes for you
When she pulled up to the building and spotted Joanna, she beeped.
"What are you wearing?" Lilith snickered as she got in. She'd seen her earlier but wasn't going to be crude, not until Joanna asked
for an absurd amount of money. "Your shirt is orange and you have brown leggings on. Did you dress in the dark?"
Joanna looked at her outfit; she knew why Lilith was lashing out, but she kept her mouth shut.
"That's your fucking money." Lilith pointed to the bag and her worst idea yet came to mind. "Do you work?"
"I was working at the drugstore but got fired." Joanna's voice was small.
"Let me guess, something drug related?"
"Pretty much."
"How many days a week do you go to school?"
"I dropped out," she replied in almost a whisper.
"You have all around turned into a loser." Lilith laughed in delight. "Stuck up, goody two shoes bitch isn't who her parents thought she was all along. You're really pathetic."
Joanna tried to keep her emotions in check but she burst into tears. Lilith rolled her eyes and parked the car.
"Let's go, and stop crying before people think I kidnapped you." She grabbed the bag.
Joanna's sniffles drifted behind her and Lilith kept her jaw clamped shut.
"Do you live here?" Joanna sniffled as they entered the apartment.
"Yeah. Sit down. Don't touch anything or case the joint."
"Lily, I'm not a bad person." Joanna sobbed.
"No, you're a little bitch." She scowled and walked to her bedroom. It felt good to lash out, except when she got a reaction. "Fuck," she muttered, fighting back her own tears; she grabbed her phone. "Veronica, this is Lily, put me through to Ian."
"Yes, Mrs. Luxe," she quickly said, sensing Lilith's stern tone.
"Mrs. Luxe?" Ian grinned answering the phone. "I like that. It's cute."
Lilith let out a chuckle. "I kind of do too because in my mind you're Mr. Luxe. Of course we won't start that at work, and I didn't start the Mrs. Luxe thing. They started calling me that. I like it, it's more authoritative."
"I agree, Mrs. Luxe. You want me to call you that?"
"No." She giggled as a blush took over.
"Maybe tonight? You can show me who's in charge and what you're capable of."
"Mmm, Ian." She let out another laugh. "You're making my mind stray."
"Yeah? Tell me where it's straying to, baby," he said quietly and she felt the pull between her legs.
"Ian, stop," she quickly said. "I'm still with Joanna."
"Everything okay?" Flirting turned to worry.
"Yes. I wanted to talk to you about something. You know how I said no way she can work for us? I think I've changed my mind. We're taking a real hit because Tanya isn't working, no pun intended. These guys want to smack a girl around so they're not using us anymore. Joanna will fill that position. Her salary will be thirty thousand and we'll benefit from the rest because, after all, the bitch does owe you fifty seven grand. If she can't deal with it she can go fuck herself. And if she tells, we'll kill her." The lack of humor in her tone didn't sit well with him.
"Lily." He let out an uncomfortable laugh. "Baby, you're kind of scaring me right now."
"I wouldn't really kill her, maybe hire someone to bruise her up a little. You can hire people for that, can't you?"
"Lily," he said slowly. "Baby, think about what you're saying. I think I'm gonna come home now."
"Ian," she huffed. "Can you just tell me what you think? You think you want to possibly hire her to fill Tanya's position?"
"If you think she can handle it, yes. If you think this is legitimately a good idea and not just revenge for her being an ignorant bitch, then yes. Think about it, Lily. Don't go telling her anything until you've really thought about it."
"I won't." She smiled. "Thank you, baby."
"For what?" He chuckled, trying to not think about what she said about hurting Joanna.
"For everything. I'll talk to you later."
"Lily!" he quickly said. "Are you headed home now?"
"Yes, home to bed. Stay at work."
"I love you, beautiful girl."
"I love you, Ian." Lilith pulled her dress off and slipped into jeans and a yellow sweater. "Joanna." She came from the bedroom. Joanna was still in the chair, a crying wreck. "Stop fucking crying. Do you always cry like this?"
"No," she cried.
"Then stop, this is your stupid mess." Lilith put her foot on the chair and began tying the laces to her boots. "You came to me, me, for almost sixty grand. You don't even know me. You don't even like me." She scowled at her.
"Lily, I do like you." Joanna wiped her face.
"Don't insult me. It's only going to piss me off. Where do you have to take this money?"
"I have to call her."
"Then call her!" she snapped and Joanna fumbled with her phone.
"H-hello?" Joanna stuttered. "This is Joanna, Chuchy's girl. I have your money." A long silence ensued before she began fumbling through her purse for something to write on. When she hung up, she looked at Lilith and slid her the piece of paper. "She wants me to go here at five."
Lilith stood and dialed Justin while walking to her bedroom.
"Car not good enough for you?" His tone was cocky.
"Fuck you," she mumbled.
"Ooo, El, I think I like when you talk to me like that. Not sure I've heard you say fuck. Stressful afternoon?"
"I need a favor."
"Listening."
"I have to deliver a large sum of money to drug dealers. Will you come with me?"
His unknown response was making her nervous, but his silence was making her feel sick.
"Yeah, sure. When?" he finally retorted. The placidness in his tone made her grin.
"I have to be there at five."
"Where are you now?"
"My apartment. Justin, it's not for me—"
"You can explain later, ZP. I'm gonna start a small fire at work so I can get out then go home and change. I'll be there in an hour."
"Justin! Oh god, don't do that. I shouldn't have asked you. I wasn't even thinking about you being at work. I'm just so used to a crazy schedule. I'm sorry. Don't worry about it."
Justin started to laugh. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you deliver a large sum of money to a drug dealer alone."
"I'm not alone. I'm with my cousin."
"The pumpkin girl?"
Lilith burst into laughter.
"She's dressed like a pumpkin. They'll shoot her for that alone." He smirked at her laugh. "I'm coming, give me an hour, cool? Where do we have to take this money?"
"Around 60th and Indiana," she mumbled.
For a brief moment, he went silent again. "Yeah, okay. I'll be there soon."
Taking her time before confronting Joanna again, she finally walked out of her bedroom. "I might have a job for you."
The sadness in her eyes had a glimmer of hope when she looked up at Lilith.
"We'll talk about it after we drop this money. My friend is going with us and I don't think I need to explain why. How'd you get involved in this?" The kind tone Joanna was used to from Lilith was back.
"My boyfriend. Well he was my boyfriend. I met him at school six months ago and once he dumped twenty thousand worth of pills on me, he dumped me all together." She wiped her nose. "I had no idea what I was doing and he started having Chuchy call me for the money. I sold what I could around campus then stole the rest of the money from work, which is what got me fired." She glanced at Lilith. "They couldn't prove who did it, so everyone on my shift got fired. So after I sold that, Chuchy was really nice and sweet and we hung out a few times like maybe he was interested in me. I swear I never realized he was a huge drug dealer."
Lilith rolled her eyes at the stupidity.
"Then he asked if I could sling a few more pills, and I did. Then a few more turned into a lot more, then he added pot and coke on top of it, but it was just here and there. I started selling to the kids at the high school by home." Joanna smirked with regret, realizing how stupid she'd been the past few months. "Then he gave me the pills and told me to take some to this guy around the Loop and he'd give me twenty G. That's
where I was headed when my bag was stolen. I tried figuring out what to do for like a month and the only way I could get the money was to steal it." She frowned. "I stole my dad's bankcard and I was gonna withdraw a few transactions in one day to get as much money as I could before his account was closed. I checked the balance first and the receipt said he had three thousand dollars in his account." She started to cry again, putting her hand to her face. "My mom wants a divorce and she took all the money from his account. Dad moved out two weeks ago."
The imbedded compassion in Lilith had her putting her hand on Joanna's.
"I couldn't steal the money, Lily. I can't steal from my family when they have nothing. I knew you were doing good and I thought coming to you was a good idea. I thought this would be chump change. I'm so sorry." She looked at her as tears flowed down her scared face.
"It's not chump change, Joanna. That's absurd. This isn't my money your borrowing. It's Ian's."
"Oh god," she whimpered. "He knows everything?"
"What'd you think I'd do? Ask him for sixty grand for a shopping spree?" Lilith snickered. She took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm. "Anyway, I'm gonna do this for you and you have to promise not to do this anymore."
"I don't want to. I really don't. I just don't know how to get out of it. Chuchy says once I'm in, I'm in for life."
"You thought this guy was interested in you?" Lilith looked at her like she were a complete idiot.
"I know I fucked up, Lily. I was really stupid to think—"
"Do you do drugs?" Lilith interrupted.
"I do, but not excessively. Like, I'll get high sometimes but never from what I need to sell. I learned you have to pay for it somehow." She rolled her eyes. "How do I get out of it?"
"I'll see what I can do." Lilith's stare was directed at the table as bad ideas flooded her brain. She seemed to be full of them.
"You can really do something?" Joanna's voice was hopeful.
"I told you that you don't know who you're dealing with." Lilith looked at her and took enjoyment from the fear on Joanna's face.
"What's the job?" Joanna quietly asked.
"Do you even want a job?"
"Yes! I need to do something, Lily. My parents are going to kill me when they find out I dropped out of school."
