Dominic: Are you sassing me?
Lily: Yes.
Dominic: Baby, you do not want to do that.
Lily: Mmm.
Dominic: I’ll be there in ten. Don’t move.
Ava sighed, jerking Lily’s attention back to her sister. She set the phone down. “Sorry.”
“You get all dreamy when he texts or calls. It’s cute. But also kinda sickening.” She smiled, though. “Is he on his way here?”
“Yep. And then you’ll be off the hook. You didn’t have to come tonight, you know.” Lily headed for the front door and turned the deadbolt.
As she walked back toward the light panel to switch to the night mode, Stephan rushed back into the gallery. His face was white, and he cringed. “You aren’t going to like this.” He held up his phone.
Lily froze.
Ava grabbed her by the elbow and gasped. “That motherfucker.”
Lily tried to catch her breath, but failed.
Stephan yanked the phone away from her and touched the screen several times. He put the phone to his ear. “Yes. Detective Wright? This is Stephan Moore, Lily’s assistant. The asshole put the pictures on the web.”
Lily couldn’t get the image out of her mind. Her hands shook.
Ava helped her to the back room and lowered her to the couch. She pulled her phone out too.
Lily leaned forward, setting her forehead against her palms while she listened to Ava tell Dominic about the pictures. If she wasn’t mistaken, Lily could hear Dominic through the phone. Not shocking. When Ava handed the phone to Lily, Lily shook her head.
She yanked herself into the present and bolted upright, her mind clearer than it had been in days.
She calmly stood, headed straight for her purse in a cabinet along the back wall, and walked right out the door. Ignoring the raised voices of her sister and assistant, she practically ran for her car. As soon as she jumped in and started the engine, she peeled out of the alley, leaving Ava and Stephan standing outside the back door.
She didn’t care. All she cared about was putting an end to this insanity. If that fucker thought he was going to ruin her, he was sadly mistaken. She drove on autopilot. She’d been to his house many times in the last two years. She could easily get there without thinking.
When she arrived, she pulled into his driveway, turned off her car, and jumped out, leaving the door open. She stomped to his front door and banged on it so hard her fist hurt. She didn’t stop banging until the door was wrenched open.
Luke looked genuinely shocked to see her. He glanced over his shoulder and then stepped outside, shutting the door behind him. “What the fuck are you doing here? Are you insane? You’re the craziest bitch I’ve ever met in my life. Leave me the fuck alone and get off my property. You’re the one with a restraining order. That includes you too.” He pointed at the car. She found it curious that he kept his voice low. Was he worried about the neighbors? Because she sure as hell wasn’t.
“Me?” she screamed. “What the fuck is the matter with you? Why the hell do you insist on harassing me? What the fuck for? We broke up. We’re through. Done. Over.” Her voice rose. She stood inches from him with her hands fisted at her sides. “Nothing you do is going to get me back. Ever.” She was screaming now.
Luke looked concerned. He glanced around. Dogs barked. If anyone came out of their homes, she had no idea. She didn’t turn to look. She didn’t give a flying fuck. Let them listen. “Get off my property, you crazy bitch.”
“What the fuck did I ever do to you to warrant this harassment? What? Why the hell are you having me followed everywhere I go? Why would you take pictures of me making out in a car with my boyfriend? And most importantly, why the fuck would you post them on the web?” Her body was so stiff she thought she might snap. It took every ounce of energy to avoid reaching out and slapping him.
Luke looked genuinely confused. “I have never done one goddamn thing to you. Not once. Whatever hallucinations you have about me are all on you. I have never sent you a text or followed you or taken any pictures of you. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass who you’re sleeping with. Get off my porch before I call the cops.”
She chuckled, hearing the sardonic tone in her own voice. “Oh, that’s rich. Could you? Please. Do me a favor and call them for me. Let’s do that, shall we?” She crossed her arms and tapped a foot. “I mean, shit, your phone skills are amazing. You must have the police on speed-dial.” She waited.
“Listen, you bitch,” he snarled through his teeth, “I said, get the fuck gone. Now.” He no longer seemed to care if his voice rose, though he did glance behind him at the door again.
Lily got an idea and smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t tell me she’s in there? The supposed new girlfriend is currently in your house? Is she not enough for you? Why the fuck are you trying to ruin my life while some other chick is warming your bed? Huh? Answer me, goddammit.” Lily straightened her back again. She dropped her arms to her sides and flattened her palms on her hips. She wanted to take a swing at him.
“I don’t know what you’re smoking or snorting, but you’ve got a screw loose. It’s none of your business who I’m dating.” He pointed at her car again. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“I just don’t get it. Tell me why? Why do you need both of us? Why do you care? Why can’t you let me go on with my life? We dated. We broke up. That’s it. It’s over.” Her head swam. She had never been so angry in her life. And she couldn’t figure this out. He looked seriously confused.
Maybe he did have multiple personalities, especially if he was posting damning pictures of Dominic and Lily while his new woman was with him. It made no sense. Had he reached a point where he literally left his girlfriend in one room and went into another to post pictures of Lily?
A car pulled up behind Lily, and she glanced behind her to find Ava and Stephan jumping out. Two seconds later, Dominic’s car squealed to a stop halfway in the yard. He too stormed out of his car and raced forward.
Luke yelled toward them. “Thank God. Could you people please get this bitch off my property and take her to a mental hospital?”
That was it. Lily lost it. She lurched forward, grabbed Luke by the shirt, and pulled him toward her.
He obviously hadn’t seen it coming because he stumbled forward as she reached up and slapped him across the face. Before she could do any more damage, Dominic grabbed her around the waist and hauled her backward, forcing her to release Luke’s shirt. “The police are on the way. Let them handle this, Lily. Not you. Don’t do something to get yourself arrested. That’s exactly what this scumbag wants.”
“Me? That bitch is crazy. She needs an ambulance.”
Lily screamed. She lifted her feet and kicked Luke in the shins with her heels before Dominic managed to back up far enough to keep her from it.
Ava stepped between them and met Lily’s gaze. “Stop it, Lily. Listen to reason. I know you’re pissed. And you have every right to be, but let the cops handle it.”
She could hear a siren in the distance. It grew louder. She took a deep breath, leaning against Dominic’s chest. Her heart rate soared, and she gritted her teeth. One of his arms snaked around her and held her tighter. He took another step back. “Calm down, babe. Please.” His voice didn’t soothe her the way it normally did. It also didn’t command her in a dominant way. He wasn’t trying to get her to submit. He simply wanted to keep her from getting in trouble with the police.
He lifted his face from her ear and spoke. “You have a lot of explaining to do, asshole. Now’s a good time to start.”
“I don’t have to explain shit to you, you dick. Get that bitch off my property. I’m done taking her shit. When the cops get here, they can arrest her. She’s the one breaking her own restraining order.”
“We’ll see about that. I don’t think you have a leg to stand on this time, man,” Dominic stated. “You’ve gone too far.”
Luke leaned forward, spittle shooting out of his mouth as he spoke. “I haven’
t done shit, asshole. You’re delusional if you believe a word that cunt says.” He shot a glare at Lily.
Dominic held her tighter. “Watch it, Vandergriff. You’re on my last fucking nerve.”
“You’re as crazy as her,” he shouted.
The siren was closer now. Then it stopped. Lily looked over her shoulder to find two officers climbing out of their car. They hurried forward. She hadn’t seen either one of them before.
“What seems to be the problem here?” They climbed the steps and positioned themselves between Luke and the rest of them.
Everyone spoke at once, everyone but Lily. She set her hands on her ears and tried to block out the noise. Something wasn’t right. She dipped her head and tried to breathe. It seemed like she wasn’t getting enough oxygen. She was going to hyperventilate.
Dominic spoke close to her ear. “Lily? Babe?”
Ava must have sensed her struggle because she stepped in front of Lily, cupped the back of her head, and lifted the front of Lily’s blouse over her mouth and nose. “Breathe, honey. You’re not getting oxygen.”
Lily took a deep breath in and nearly choked. She yanked free of Ava and Dominic and stepped aside. She wanted to gag. Lifting up a hand, she tried to think. Then she froze. When she jerked her face up to meet everyone’s gaze, she knew.
The officer was talking to Luke, who leaned against the door with one hand flat on the surface as if he were afraid someone might try to get past him.
Ava and Stephan eyed Lily with narrowed eyes. The second officer stared at her from the other side.
Dominic reached for her and tipped her chin up. “What is it?”
“Holy shit.” Lily ignored Dominic and turned toward Luke. “It wasn’t you.” She stepped closer.
Luke groaned. “How many goddamn times have I told you that?”
Lily pointed at the door. “Who is she, Luke? Who’s the new girlfriend?”
“What are you talking about? None of your goddamn business. Leave her out of this!”
“You mean like Dominic got left out of this? I don’t think so. What’s her name, Luke?” She waited. Everyone grew quiet. “What’s her name, you son of a bitch?”
“Lily?” Dominic held on to her from behind, snaking an arm around to make sure she didn’t move any closer.
Luke pursed his lips.
“Is it Valerie?” she screamed.
Dominic froze, his grip tighter.
Luke’s eyes went wide. He jerked his gaze toward the officer in front of him. “I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about, but if she knows my girlfriend’s name, then she’s the one who you need to arrest. Not me.”
“Ma’am?” the officer asked, staring at Lily.
Lily jerked free of Dominic again, slammed her body into the door beside Luke, and lunged for the handle, managing to turn it before anyone could stop her. Fury made her shove through the entrance. She screamed into the foyer. “Valerie?” She paused. When there was no response, she took several steps farther into Luke’s house.
“Hey, get her out of here. She can’t bust into my home. She’s insane.”
“You can’t be serious,” Dominic stated. “Your new girlfriend is Valerie? Tall? Skinny? Red hair? Too much perfume?”
Lily spun around in time to see Dominic sniffing the air and scowling. She glared at Luke. “Are you an accomplice? Because if you are, you can go to jail with her. If not, then I suggest you bring your psychotic girlfriend to the front of the house right now.”
“Ma’am, what’s going on?” the officer asked again.
Lily jerked around to face the house again and screamed. “Valerie, or whatever your name is, it’s over. You can make it easy, or you can make it hard, but unless you intend to run out the back, you’re out of options.”
Ava stepped inside next to Lily. “Lily, what’s this about?”
“It wasn’t Luke. He might be in on it or protecting her, but it’s his girlfriend.”
“Why?” Ava asked. “Do you know her?”
“Nope. Never met her. Dominic does.”
The officer stepped inside too.
Another police car pulled up, and Lily spun around to see Detective Wright jogging toward the house. Thank God.
“What happened?”
“It’s his girlfriend,” Lily told him. “He may or may not have been aware of her antics, but she’s been using him to get to Dominic.”
Dominic snaked an arm around Lily yet again, looser this time. Her adrenaline was pumping so hard he couldn’t stop her from much of anything anyway.
Wright nodded and glanced at Luke. “Is she here?”
“Yes. But I don’t know what this crazy woman’s talking about. Valerie wouldn’t harm a flea. She’s the kindest person I’ve ever met.”
“Did you see her?” Wright asked Lily. “How do you know this?”
“It’s her perfume. She wears a gallon of it every day. She rubbed it all over Luke, like she rubs it all over Dominic every chance she gets.” She glanced over her shoulder at Dominic.
“She’s right. I’ve never smelled anything so foul in my life, and Luke reeks of it.” He scrunched up his face as he stepped back, taking Lily with him.
“What?” Luke yelled. “How does she even know you?”
“She’s a baseball groupie,” Lily told him. “She’s using you to get me away from Dominic. She’s delusional. There’s no way Dominic would ever go out with her, even if he’d never met me.”
“You little liar.” The high-pitched voice coming from up the stairs made Lily yank her attention upward. Valerie stomped to the top of the landing and leaned over. “What do you know? You’re just the latest whore he’s fucking this week. If you hadn’t gotten in the way, I’d be the one warming his bed at night.”
Lily’s eyes widened. She’d never seen anyone as off her rocker as this crazy woman.
As if Valerie noticed Dominic for the first time, she gasped. Her mouth fell open, and she set her hand over it.
A collective gasp around her included Luke. “Valerie?” His voice was a bit high. “What are you talking about? Tell these people they’re crazy. You don’t actually know this Cordes guy, do you?”
Valerie ignored him and narrowed her gaze at Lily, baring her teeth like a rabid dog.
For a moment, Lily thought Valerie might fling herself over the railing, but the police raced around Lily and ran up the stairs. They had to manhandle Valerie to get her. She kicked and screamed and clawed at them the second they grabbed for her.
It took several tense moments for one officer to flatten her to the ground and another to put cuffs on her.
Then they hauled her to her feet and descended the stairs while Valerie continued to scream. Most of her words weren’t distinguishable.
The two officers who arrived first led her out the door and into the back of their patrol car.
Officer Wright remained. “Would you all mind stepping outside so I can get a statement from Mr. Vandergriff, please?”
Dominic seemed reluctant, not moving from his spot in the foyer where he still held Lily.
Her chest pounded, but she wanted to get out of Luke’s house. She never wanted to see his face again. She didn’t even care if he had no knowledge of Valerie’s bullshit. He was a total dick for not figuring it out and doing something to stop it.
Slowly, Dominic eased her out of the house. When they reached the lawn, he spun her around and pulled her front into his chest. He threaded his hands in her hair and met her gaze. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Pissed.” She lifted her hand. “And my hand might hurt tomorrow.”
He smiled. “I hope his face hurts worse.”
“Do you think there’s even the slightest chance he didn’t know?”
“Nope. Either way, he’s too stupid for words.”
Lily set her forehead on his chest and stared at the ground. “Somebody please get those pictures off the Internet.”
“On it,” Stephan said.
All
she could do was pray the damage wasn’t too bad.
Chapter Fifteen
Two days later…
“Is this a conspiracy?” Lily asked Ava as she drove down the highway. “I don’t need a chaperone, you know. I’m completely capable of driving myself to Jupiter without freaking out and punching anyone along the way.”
Ava giggled. “Not a conspiracy. I thought you might like the company. Besides, Dominic promised to set me up with one of his teammates after the game.”
Lily groaned. “Seriously?” She glanced at Ava and then back at the road. “That’s a horrible idea.”
“Why? You’re dating a ball player. Why can’t I?”
“Because…”
“Yes?”
“Because they aren’t all like Dominic, Ava.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Baseball players have busy schedules. They’re out of town a lot. They have a lot of money.”
“Are you listening to yourself?” Ava asked. “You sound ridiculous. Like you’re trying to be politically correct, but failing.”
“What? I’m just saying they’re busy, is all.” She bit her lip. She really didn’t want Ava to go out with a famous ball player. Ava was young. Lily didn’t want to see her get hurt. She was impressionable. If a man smiled at her the right way, she would swoon, and then he would hurt her.
Lily considered clobbering Dominic. What was he thinking?
“Stop worrying. We’re just going to the game. It’ll be fun. And then later, you won’t have to drive back alone. I don’t want you to fall asleep at the wheel.”
Lily rolled her eyes and kept driving.
“Did Detective Wright call earlier?”
“Yes. Forgot to tell you about that. He said that crazy Valerie woman confessed to everything. She’s been following Dominic around for a long time. That’s how she picked up on me. Apparently she thought if she could get rid of me, he would be all hers.”
“That’s insane.”
“Very. She’s damn sharp, though. I mean, she went to a lot of effort to figure out I dated Luke and take up residence with him while following Dominic and me all over the place. She even tailed him to Zodiac the night I went there and then back to his place afterward.”
Catching Lily (Spring Training Book 2) Page 19
