Easter's Lilly Page 14

  After I finished unpacking I went downstairs to the kitchen. Max was cleaning up whatever it is he was doing with the calculator. “So, are you the pretty one, or the smart one?” I asked. He smiled.

  “Most people think I’m the pretty one,” he answered. “But I actually do have a degree.” I was very surprised by that.

  “A degree?” I asked. “In accounting?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Numbers are my thing.” He started cleaning up his papers. “But Diego’s pretty too,” he answered, laughing a little to himself. “So, you must be the pretty one,” he added sarcastically.

  “Why, because I’m single and pregnant and marrying a man I barely know?”

  “Yeah, something like that,” he answered. “You really need someone to explain the whole, ‘how you get pregnant thing,’ to you.” I looked at the floor, embarrassed.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I have no idea who you are and have no right to judge.”

  “He was my first,” I answered. “I trusted him.”

  “That piece of...” He stopped himself.

  “It’s my fault too,” I replied. “He didn’t know. But I did trust him to know what to do.”

  “It was his job to protect you,” he answered. “Whether he knew or not.” He paused. “But seriously, Lilly, with all the girls Johnny has had, he probably knew as soon as he started to undress you that it was your first time.” He reached out and took my hand. “I would have protected you.” He made my knees weak. “How long did you know him?”

  “Not long,” I answered. “I’m not sure I even liked it. I just liked the closeness.” His expression didn’t change.

  “Men are selfish, Lilly.” He didn’t even look surprised at my comment. “If they think they can get away with getting you into bed with the smallest amount of work…” he shook his head and closed his eyes for a second. “Well, that’s the road they’ll take.”

  “What about you?” I asked, trying to embarrass him for a change. “Are you selfish?”

  “Maybe someday, you’ll find out.” He smiled and winked at me. “But until then…” He reflected for a moment. “It looks like you are stuck with me as your bodyguard.” He took my hand and led me out of the kitchen. “And soon, you’ll be stuck with my brother as your husband, which would complicate the first part.” He was silly and playful. I was actually starting to feel happy.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “I thought I might take you for a walk on the grounds.” We began to walk out the back door. “Diego and I have a beautiful property. Our father left it to us when he died. I think he thought it would bond us or something. You should see it for yourself.”

  It was HUGE! There were trees and ponds among hills and flowers. I had never seen the likes of such a property up-close. “How can you afford to take care of all of this?” I asked him.

  “We sell drugs to children,” he said, quite casually. “I thought you were up to speed on all that.”

  I was a little stunned by his candor. He obviously does not feel good about what he does or he wouldn’t have said it like that. “What?” I asked.

  “You heard me,” he replied.

  “Why didn’t you get a different kind of job?” I asked. “You seem capable.”

  “I ask myself that every day,” he answered. “But now I know why.” He smiled at me. “Someone had to be here to take care of you.” He was still holding my hand and we were walking together like lovers through a meadow. It felt good and safe. He walked me to the back of the property by a creek. It was breathtaking. We sat on a couple of large rocks by the water and he let go of my hand. I felt a little sad when he did that. “I come here a lot,” he told me. “Sometimes just to talk to God and be with Him.”

  “You believe in God?” I asked.

  “Why so surprised?” He gave me a boyish grin that tickled a little.

  “Aren’t you a hit-man?” I asked.

  “Enforcer,” he said in a drawn out tone. “I prefer enforcer.”

  We both laughed a little. He put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close. “It’s going to be all right, Lilly.” I put my head on his shoulder.

  “Have you ever been a bodyguard before?” I asked.

  “No,” he answered. “But I do watch Diego’s back all the time. So, I guess I’m his bodyguard.” He picked up my chin with his fingers. “He’s a very powerful man, you know.” Actually, I didn’t know. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. “So, be careful with him.” I put my head back down on his shoulder and he held me for a while.

  “Are you going to keep me safe?” I asked. I was worried now, about his brother.

  “I will put my life down for you.” He pulled me even closer and rocked me a little. I never felt so secure before. You could smell the water as it cascaded into the rocks and made a swishing sound. It was heaven to me.

  “Does Diego ever come out here?” I asked.

  “I don’t think he remembers it’s here,” he answered. He gave me a knowing look. It was like this was going to be our spot.

  CHAPTER 8

  What was the Most Important Rule Again?