CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lily was idly scrolling through quotes on her phone while Denae was trying on another pair of shoes. She came across one that struck her soul so profoundly that she never wanted to forget it.
Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.
“There’s one more stop I want to make when we’re done here, if you don’t mind,” she said.
“Not at all. Is it wrong that I want all of these shoes?” Denae asked with a grin.
Lily laughed as she shook her head. “Are you really asking me that? Look around me,” she said, indicating the obscene number of bags with all her purchases—clothes, underwear, shoes, and makeup.
“I was hoping you’d buy something, but damn,” Denae said, her Texas accent thickening on the last word. “You really surprised me.”
Lily had surprised herself. “I needed to do it. It’s been a long time coming.”
“Because of your past?” Denae asked as she stood and looked in the full-length mirror to test the Jimmy Choo shoes.
Lily didn’t respond. She simply looked at Denae.
Denae’s face crumpled as she threw up her hands. “I’m sorry. It’s a habit from my days at … from a past job. I don’t know anything, I swear. It’s just things I’ve picked up from your words and actions.”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m too defensive about something I want desperately to forget.” Lily squeezed her eyes shut and wished she could make Dennis disappear so easily. When she opened her eyes, Denae’s gaze was locked on her.
Denae walked to Lily and sat in a chair beside her. “We’re your friends, Lily. You can talk to us.”
“Like you feel comfortable telling me about what you did before?” Lily asked with a small smile. “You kept that from me for a reason, just as I’m keeping my past from everyone.”
Denae sighed and glanced away. “I keep it from you not because I want to, but because it protects Dreagan.”
“And I’m protecting myself and my family.”
“Fair enough, but if there ever comes a time you want to talk, please know you can come to me. I won’t let you down.”
Staring into Denae’s eyes, Lily knew she wouldn’t. Though she didn’t know Denae well, there was an honesty about her, a toughness that Lily wished she had. “You don’t happen to know any karate or anything, do you?” Lily asked, thinking how she’d love to be able to defend herself against Dennis.
Denae’s gaze intensified, watching Lily as if she were sizing her up. “I know several forms of martial arts. What do you want to know how to do?”
“Anything. Everything. I’ve always wanted to learn.” It wasn’t a lie. Lily had always wanted to be one of those independent women who could seriously kick some ass when needed. “I’m a woman living alone. I’d feel better if I could defend myself.”
Now that was a partial lie. Today was the first step in preparing for the time when she would kill Dennis. She needed to find the old Lily, and then she needed to learn enough moves to surprise him.
Dennis would never see it coming. He thought of her as helpless, weak. Vulnerable.
Those were three traits she had allowed to manifest within herself, and she was cutting them out—painfully, completely.
“I’d be happy to teach you,” Denae said as she stood and walked back to the mirror to look at the shoes on her feet again. “How about after dinner tonight?”
Lily looked at her watch and cringed. Dennis would be waiting for her at her flat.
“Do you need to return home?” Denae asked.
Lily shook her head. She had to remember she wasn’t going to be scared of Dennis anymore. He wanted something from her. She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t harm her family—yet. This was her one chance to find a way to get them free. She had to use it wisely. Because once she returned to her flat, she would have no choice but to help him. “I’m free as a bird.”
“Good, because I’ve got a surprise for you.”
They shared a smile. Lily did feel free, and it was exhilarating. Why hadn’t she done this sooner? Why had she held onto the person Dennis turned her into?
Because I was fearful.
The truth slammed into her. She was scared, but Dennis had control over her only as long as she allowed him to. And she had accepted and tolerated all manner of things from him, even after she left.
Lily was so deep in her thoughts that when she looked around again, Denae was at the counter purchasing three pairs of shoes. Lily rose, adjusted her purse on her shoulder, and gathered all her bags in both hands. She was walking toward Denae when the two men in black suits stopped beside Denae. One of the men gathered Denae’s purchases while the second approached Lily.