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May all of you have a year filled with fun, love and of course CHOCOLATE!!

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Chapter 26

Ethan's POV

With both hands tightly wrapped around the steering wheel I weaved through traffic leaving Nick, Rachel and Mr. Evans behind.

Jake was riding with me since he was the only one that could keep up with me. Jake didn't tell me to slow down as he held onto the dashboard as if his life depended on it.

As we approached the beat up apartment Jake sighed loudly. "Please be okay." he whispered

We got out and went in spotting Nick's car. Mr. Evans looked like hell as he stared up at the building.

"Are you sure it's apartment 12B?" I asked

Mr. Evans nodded. I saw the emotions swimming through his eyes as he relived the last time he was here.

"We should ask if anyone has seen Lily first." Rachel said looking around the dirty street

I didn't want to waste time. Lily might not even be here. Aidan might have heard wrong.

Jake nodded "Yeah let's just.." he was cut off by a ear shattering scream

Lily!

Rushing into the building I took the stairs three by three. Racing down the narrow hallway I pushed pass people who wobbled and cursed me out.

"Andy wait up!" I heard Nick shout from behind me

I came up to the apartment door and kicked it hard. It slammed open hitting the wall behind it hard.

Laying on top of a trembling Lily was a tall thick man. He turned in my direction eyes full of lust. On the floor was Lily's sweater and jeans. She was laying on a filthy futon in her panties and a tank top. The man was straddling her with his boxers around his ankles.

Anger surged through my veins as I grabbed the guy by the back of his shirt. The sick twisted bastard. He stumbled back onto his butt but I dragged him to his feet and sent a punch to his stomach.

He clutched his stomach moaning in pain. I swung at his face a couple times, the image of Lily under him fuelling my rage.

"You son of bitch!" I hissed throwing another punch to his jaw

The guy fell to the ground clutching his stomach. Shaking my throbbing fist I turned to Lily. Rachel was cradling Lily her own tears running down her face.

"It's okay Lily we're here." Rachel croaked

Lily sobbed hugging Rachel close to her. Nick was behind them along with Jake. Mr. Evans pulled his coat off and draped it over Lily's body. It was than I noticed her tank top was ripped down the front showing her scar.

Mr. Evans wrapped his arms around Lily's trembling shoulders. My jaw clenched tight as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"You fucking asshole!" I shouted

Grabbing the guy by the front of his shirt and slammed my fist into his jaw. The sick asshole hurt my Lily. He was going to rape my Lily!

I slammed my fist into his nose hearing a crunch sound. Blood splattered from his nose as he spit blood out of his mouth.

He sank down to the ground but I kept punching his face in.

"Andy stop." Nick shouted grabbing my arm

Shrugging his hands away I threw a punch to the guy's jaw sending blood to shoot out of his mouth and onto the floor.

"Andy." Jake grabbed my arm trying to pull me away

I shoved Jake away and kicked the guy in the stomach. "You fucking pervert." I hissed sending another kick to his stomach

"Andrew stop your going to kill him." Mr. Evans said and grabbed my arm

Nick and Jake grabbed my arms pulling me away from the sick bastard. Mr. Evans pushed me out of the room into the hallway where Rachel was holding Lily.

My heart sunk as she trembled violently in Rachel's small arms.

Pushing away from the guys I went up to Lily and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her shaky arms around my waist.

"Ethan." she whispered into my chest

My heart broke at her tone. I held her close to me and sighed feeling like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"He forced himself on me. I-I was scared Ethan, I thought he was going to.." she sobbed into my chest

I stroked her hair and placed a kiss to her temple. My heart was racing in my chest. She's safe.

"I won't let anyone hurt you Lily." I whispered and pressed a kiss to her hair

Closing my eyes I inhaled her spicy smell, grateful I found her when I did.

"We should go." Jake said sounding uncomfortable

Nick grabbed Lily's things off the ground and walked ahead of us. Pulling away I led Lily forward. She stumbled over her feet almost falling flat on her face.

I caught her by the waist and scooped her into my arms bridal style. Ignoring the glances from Jake I walked down the hall enjoying Lily in my arms.

She shuddered and buried her face into the crook of my neck.

"Your safe love." I whispered in her ear

Lily sighed and pressed her cheek against my chest. With her clinging to my neck I went out to my car. Jake opened the back door.

"I'm going to stay in the back with Lily." he said

I set Lily down on her feet. She looked up at me through wet lashes. She didn't want to be apart either but it would seem suspicious if either one of us said no.

Lily climbed in the back with Jake behind her. Mr. Evans placed Lily's clothing and bag in the back.

"Thank you for saving my daughter." he said

"Lily is important to me." I admitted before jumping into the drivers seat

Adjusting my mirror I watched enviously as Jake held Lily in his arms. I want to be the one holding her. To have her safely in my arms.

To kiss her pain away. Lily looked up our eyes locking. I could see in her eyes the need to be be near me was just as unbearable as mine. I hate this secret. I want everyone to know she is mine and no one can take her away.

She mouthed the words 'thank you' the corners of her mouth lifting up slightly. My eyes softened at the sight of her.

Her cheek was red and she had a large handprint at the side of her face. My jaw clenched, that son of bitch. I wanted to go back up to the apartment and rip him to shreds.

"Let's get you home." I said and drove off

As I drove more calmly I kept glancing at Lily in the back. She was leaning her head against Jake's shoulder her eyes dropping.

Jake kissed her forehead, my fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I wished it was me sitting by her. Lily smiled as she dosed off.

All that matters is she's okay. I'll have my time with her, later.

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Lily's POV

I heard people whispering as a strong pair of arms lifted me up. My eyes were heavy with sleep and my cheek throbbed painfully. I moaned, hiding my face into a hard chest.

"Shhh sleep love." a deep voice whispered

Obeying his orders I nuzzled into his chest inhaling the musky cologne.

"Ethan." I whimpered turning my throbbing away from his chest

"Is she okay?" Rachel asked from beside my head

Ethan laid me down on my bed. I felt his large soft hand stroke my uninjured cheek. I pressed my face into his hand loving the comfort it gave me.

"Some ice and aspirin should help." he said as he pulled away

My eyes snapped open as I was temporarily blinded by the light in my room. Squinting at the light I could see Ethan standing a few feet away.

Dad sat at the edge of my bed. "Get some rest sweetheart." he cooed

"You gave us one hell of a scare today." Rachel said sitting beside me on the bed

She placed her small hand on mine and smiled weakly at me. Rach knew. I squeezed her hand thanking her silently. My past wasn't something I liked talking about.

"I'll say. Don't ever do that again missy." Nick scowled

I nodded, grateful they cared enough. Nick leaned forward and placed a kiss to my forehead. Ethan cleared his voice his face expressionless.

"I should go." he said bowing his head slightly at my dad

Dad stood up and patted his shoulder. "Thank you again." dad said

Ethan smiled, dragging those emerald eyes to me. They glimmered mischievously.

"Bye." he said not taking his eyes off me

Speechless from the intensity in those forest green orbs I nodded.

"We should be going too." Nick said

"Yeah sure I just want to talk to Lily alone for a sec." Rachel said

Both Nick and my dad left the room shutting the door behind them. Where is Jake?

Rachel scooted in front of me not letting go of my hand.

"I'm tired Rach and frankly I don't want to talk about my mom right now."

She pulled her hand away and slapped my shoulder. "Whenever your ready to talk about that I'm here but I was talking about you and Andy."

My mouth hung open as I tried thinking of an excuse. Rachel held her hand up as I began to make up an excuse.

"Save it, I want details." She leaned forward a wide grin on her face

"When? How? Where?"

Sighing in defeat I filled her in on the short few days of our relationship. During the story Rachel would gasp and awe. It felt good to tell someone about us.

"So are you going to tell Jake together or just you?" she asked

"No Rach, no one is suppose know."

She raised her brow. "Did you see that boy today? Three people had to pull Andy off of that guy. Not to mention the adorable moment when you two hugged."

Were we really that obvious? I bit my lip. "Jake is going to freak out." I sighed

Rachel being the wonderful friend that she is nodded. Great. Falling back into the mattress I pulled the covers over my head.

I groaned loudly as she tried pulling the covers off.

"Stop being a baby Lily, it won't be that bad."

"Easy for you to say your boyfriend isn't going to get his face punched in by your brother."

She tugged the cover off my face. This girl has some super natural power. "After today you should be worried for Jake."

I sat up trying to hide the smile on my face. "He wasn't that aggressive, was he?"

Rachel nodded. I bit my lip, usually I hate when Ethan fights but I couldn't help the pride I felt. He was fighting for me today.

"He even yelled at your dad. I have to say Andy scared me a little." she admitted

Ethan does look intimidating when provoked but he's always playing the hero. A thump outside caused me to jump. Rachel and I exchanged a worried look.

I hoped out of bed walking over to my bedroom window. Rachel held my arm hiding behind me. Sneaking forward I peaked my head out.

"Hi."

I yelped stumbling back. A deep chuckle came from the window as Ethan pulled himself up.

"Are you insane? You could have broken your neck!" I hissed

Ethan smirked and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pressed his lips to mine softly.

Forgetting about Rachel I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer. Ethan smiled against my lips as his began to move more urgently. His arms tightened around my waist as his body began to respond to the intimate kiss.

Ethan pulled away but kept his arms wrapped around my body. I pressed my uninjured cheek to his chest listening to his rapid heartbeat.

"I've been waiting all day for this." he said pulling me closer

Rachel cleared her voice "I'll just be going now."

She opened the door smiling like the Cheshire cat. "Be safe." she said as she shut the door with a giggle

Ethan's chest rumbled as he chuckled into my hair. I smiled enjoying the sound.

"Alone at last." he whispered

Pulling out of his arms I slapped his chest. "I can't believe you came through my window. How dumb can you be?"

I walked over to my bed dropping into the pink sheets. Ethan dropped next to me.

"When Romeo does it its romantic, when I do it it's dumb."

"You didn't speak poetically." I shrugged trying to keep the smile off my face.

Ethan grabbed my hands in his and turned to face me. His face was serious like as his emerald eyes stared me straight in the eye with a slight glimmer.

"One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun

Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear." he cooed lifting my hand up to his lips he placed a small kiss to my palm

My breath caught in my throat at the gentle brush of his lips. He looked up eyes filled with mischief.

One corner of his mouth tipped upward into a smirk as I stared wide eyed.

"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

O that I were a glove upon that hand,

that I might touch that cheek!"

He lifted a hand to my cheek letting the tips of his fingers graze my skin lightly. I hissed as his fingers touched my throbbing cheek.

His hand stiffened and he pulled back. A muscle in his jaw twitched. He cursed under his breath.

A dark emotion flashed through his eyes. "I'm going to kill that son of a bitch." he mumbled looking down at his clenched fist

I shuddered at the memory of Tim's touch. If Ethan hadn't come at that moment Tim would have gotten his way. I placed my hand on his white knuckles rubbing my thumb over them soothingly.

Ethan looked up his facial expression softening slightly. Flipping his hand over I laced my fingers with his.

He snaked his arm around my waist pulling me into his chest. I nuzzled into him.

"You scared people today." I sighed

He rubbed his hand up and down my arm. "Well you scared me."

I prompted myself onto my elbows. His lips were pressed together as he stared at my door. Ethan swallowed hard causing his adams apple to bobble.

The pain in his eyes was unmistakeable. I cupped his face in my hands.

"I'm here with you. I'm safe." I said pressing my forehead to his

"What did you find that sent you back there?" he asked

I stiffened. Aidan must of told him. The diaries! Jumping out of bed I bent down and pulled the books out of my bag. I turned around holding out the books.

"Distractions aren't fair." he groaned

Furrowing my brows I followed his gaze down. I was only wearing a large shirt that was probably Jake's which reached mid thigh. Jake must have slipped it on me on the ride home.

Pulling the shirt down I walked over to the bed with Ethan watching me like the hound he is.

"I found this in the apartment, it's my mom's diary." I passed him the

plum colored book

With a look of confusion he grabbed the book.

"In the beginning of her entries she talks lovingly and with hope. But the later entries are stranger. She talks about a pain and how people are after her."

He nodded"Your mom did drugs of course she would sound paranoid."

Standing up I fetched the small ziploc from my jeans. I held them up before Ethan.

"I found these in the floorboards, they cause hallucinations. Ones like my mom described."

Ethan shifted on the bed his brows furrowing together. I nodded knowing exactly what he was thinking. It's too fishy to be a coincidence.

I rolled the top of the plastic around my finger. My throat tightened with tears.

"She turned to drugs and drinking because of these. But why didn't she just stop taking them."

Raising the bag up I stared at it like all the answers would come out of it.

"Maybe she didn't know she was taking them." Ethan said

He reached his arms out catching me by the waist and pulled me onto his lap. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

"How could she not know? It's not like someone forced her to take it." I said shaking my head

"Think about it. You found the pills under the floorboards. Someone obviously wanted to hide them. But if your mom took them willfully there is nothing to hide. Unless...." he trailed off

Unless the someone who hid the pills gave them to my mom without her knowing. Twisting around I faced Ethan.

"I found these in my dad and Annabelle's room. There was also a couple love letters between my mom and dad along with an old picture of them together."

It's a lie. My mom's words repeated in my head. One of them knows something that they're not telling anyone. I looked down at the pills in my hand.

If all of this is true than my mom was never crazy. She just thought everyone was out to get her including me. The drugs, sleeping around, the alcohol it was because these pills.

Ethan pulled the pills and diary out of my hands. He put them in the nightstand drawer.

"We'll figure this out but in the meantime you need some rest." he ordered

I did feel a little tired. Maybe some sleep would help. It was than I noticed I was sitting on Ethan's lap with each of my legs at his side.

Heat creeped to my face as I remembered we were also on my bed. Dragging my eyes up I bit my lip.

"Do you know how sexy you look when you do that?" Ethan groaned

My face burned at the comment. Ethan pressed his lips to mine softly and laid back into the bed pulling me with him. I was straddling him in a shirt with nothing under but my panties.

Ethan's large hands rested on my hips rubbing in a circular motion. His hands dipped down to my backside. He cupped my butt pushing my hips down to his.

I giggled for some strange reason which quickly turned into a moan as Ethan ran his tongue over my bottom lip.

He pulled back but still had his hands on my butt. He looked at me with lustful eyes.

"Time for bed love." he said huskily

Nodding I slipped off his lap. Feeling a little hurt I pulled the covers over my chest. Why am I getting upset I was only going to tease him?

I'm not ready for that step yet, not now but Ethan has been with girls who were. Tears stung my eyes as I thought of Ethan running off to another girl.

Reaching forward I turned off the light by my bed. The room was dark and silent with only the sound of my ragged breathing.

"Goodnight Ethan, I'll see you tomorrow." I managed to whisper

The bed rose as Ethan got up. Shutting my eyes tight I waited to hear the window close. Instead I heard the sound of clothes rubbing together.

The bed dipped beside me as Ethan slid in beside me. He slipped his bare arm around me and scooted over to my side. His bare chest was pressed against my back.

My heart fluttered in happiness as I felt his breath on the back of my neck.

"Goodnight love." he whispered before pressing a small kiss at the nape of my neck

My skin broke out into goosebumps as soon as his lips touched my neck. He kept his face buried in my neck and his arms circling my waist.

I smiled and snuggled closer to him enjoying the warmth his body provided.

I can definitely get use to this, I thought wickedly.

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What do you think is going on and what will happen next?

Still the one and only

~LovelyDove43~