Tiger Lily: Part Three (19 page)

“Flight attendants. How long was the flight from Miami?”

I would have rolled my eyes at the question, but my head was still down, looking for places to step as the crowd surrounded us.

“Will Jonas Crane be coming out to give us a statement?”

“Will there be a joint statement tonight?”

The questions were flying faster than I could keep up.
A statement about what?

“Move back,” a security guard hissed, stepping in front of me and blocking the arms stretched out in front of us as we took more steps forward.

The voices of the press started to blend even further together.

“…coming here?”

“Combined fortune estimated…”

What are they talking about?

The security guard became even more determined to clear a path. “Stop taking pictures. You are going against our safety policy. Police are on their way,” he yelled out repeatedly as we inched further along.

“I’ll sue!” I heard someone call out as a new security guard joined us, moving with a bit more aggression. I was now hustled forward as the crowd was being forced to conform to their restrictions. I panted and glanced around the massive bicep of the security guard directly in front of me, with a blessing on my lips for the beefy warrior, as we continued down the pedestrian area.

“Jonas Crane!”

A surge in the opposite direction left enough of a gap for us to manage a quick retreat.
Is Jonas behind us?
My heart ached, thinking he might be left alone to face the crowd.

“Lily,” I heard David call out, not realizing he was close enough to touch my arm. David took my hand and we ran to the car. I could now see the parking building ahead. Our flight attendant ran off to short-term parking.
I didn’t even get a chance to thank her.

“Get in, please,” David said as the door opened.

Without a pause, I climbed inside the driver’s door and crawled over to the passenger side as David scrambled into the driver’s seat. He slammed the door to more flashes of cameras, quickly driving off and aggressively maneuvering the car away from the parking area.

“Why didn’t anyone warn us?” David grumbled.

“Will Jonas be okay?” I asked.

“Mr. Crane will be fine,” David answered with a curve of his lips.

I wiped the condensation off the window and noticed we had joined other cars on the road leading out of the airport. “Do you know what’s going on?”

“I didn’t get a full briefing,” David said cryptically.

“Please, David. Tell me what happened,” I tried again, but to no avail. David was now focusing hard on the road or hard on avoiding me. Just when I was about to give up, he gave me a half-answer. “Mr. Crane said he would prefer to discuss it with you later. I’m sorry.”

I nodded. I liked David, and I knew he was only following orders. But he left me with the even more futile task of calling Jonas, which I ultimately decided against, only because I didn’t wish to distract him from getting away from the airport.

Once belted in, I pulled the shopping bag with my handbag in it from underneath me, reaching inside to retrieve my possessions that had scattered along the bottom. David pressed the horn, increasing his speed to get us the rest of the way out. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, using the sound of the windshield wipers flicking across the glass to settle my nerves. We were in the clear and off to Tribeca.

My shoulders relaxed into the leather seats as we crossed the RFK Bridge over to FDR Drive down to Tribeca, my mind moving just as fast imagining all kinds of scenarios to account for the scene we had landed in. Jonas was well known, but not enough for the frenzy we had encountered at the airport. New York City had plenty of celebrities walking around, and in the years I had been here, I had never seen such a display unless something big and newsworthy had happened.

Was the closing of KeanexTech big news? I doubted it, for Jonas would have planned for that. Something else must have happened. And what did they mean about joint statements? I glanced back over at the tight-lipped David and folded my arms, sulking all the way back to Tribeca and dashing inside once he stopped in front of the building.

Walking in, the faint smell of patchouli oil crossed my senses and I remembered Mary was here, but had maybe just left. I turned on the lights and then took off my shoes and headed up the stairs to the master bedroom. Pausing for a look in the spare room, I spied Mary’s fabric trolley next to the closet.
Why didn’t she call?
I wondered.

I remembered then that I had turned my phone off for the flight. Turning it on, I watched it flash to life and looked at the time: 8:49. Placing the phone on the bed, I padded over to the walk-in closet and changed into a pair of jeans and a v-neck t-shirt, opting for a more presentable look rather than my usual choice of a tank top and sweatpants.

I cleaned up in the bathroom then returned to the bed and collected my beeping phone to retrieve my messages. There were three in total, from Mary, Dani and Gregor.

I sighed. Still nothing from Jonas. I decided to send him a text.

Are you okay? What’s going on? Please tell me so I won’t worry.

I immediately received his reply.

I’ll be home to explain everything soon. Please trust me. I love you.

I exhaled and smiled as I went on to listen to the rest of my messages. The first was from Mary.

“I’m here! Ian picked me up, thanks. He’s now taking me to Mars. See you both later.”

Saucer Burger
. I smiled and played the next message from Dani.

“Lily. I’m sorry about what happened. But I know Jonas is doing his best to make sure the damages are minimal. He loves you. We all do.”

Damages?
The ease I had experienced from Jonas and Mary’s texts quickly evaporated. My stomach sunk. But I pressed on to listen to Gregor’s message.

“Hi, I have some news. And, well, the damage is minimal compared to what else is going on. If you want to talk about it, or want me to pick you up, give me a call.”

My pulse increased as my fingers swiftly navigated to Gregor’s name and pressed connect. I knew Gregor would be more forthcoming with answers. He answered on the first ring.

“What happened?” I blurted out.

“I spoke to Jonas and he said he wanted to tell you,” he said apprehensively.

My heartbeat picked up. “Tell me what?”

“You can call me after, no matter what time, and we can talk about it then,” he responded.

“You’re my friend and I’m really worried now. I have no idea what’s going on, and Jonas isn’t saying anything. Please just tell me. I’ll think the worst if you don’t,” I pleaded.

He was quiet for a few seconds, but then said, “Okay, but keep in mind that it’s been handled. A…photo was sent as a group message to everyone at work from your work satellite email address. But since we have a flag on adult material, it was blocked by our firewalls, quarantined, and flagged by IT pending review. The manager contacted me and, well, I contacted Jonas and the list of contacts he gave me. I also reported the breach to the police. I just wanted you to know that I took care of it and stopped it from spreading. So you have nothing to worry about.”

My mind raced as I tried to understand what Gregor was telling me. “Wait. What do you mean?” Then awareness washed over me. “You saw me? My body? Declan sent photos.”

“One photo,” he muttered, and we both went quiet.

My pressure rose as my pulse leapt into my throat. Was it the same one Declan had sent me? Gregor would tell me the truth. “Are you sure it was me? My hands in my hair twisted up…”

“Yes,” he finally responded in a hushed tone. “But it didn’t go any further. I’m sure Jonas’s team is working to seal it. It was in the shower, that’s all I know. I barely saw it. The second it came it was flagged, quarantined. It wasn’t copied and the entire IT team knows that sharing it will result in a loss of their jobs. Not to mention prosecution. Nothing will come from Arch. I will never mention it again. I promise.” He jabbered on, but I had tuned out as the implications of what he was saying heightened my nerves and scorched my skin.

“You, and people at work, and a legal team, and the police…have all seen the photo?” My voice was thick.

“Yes. I don’t know. Not many. It wasn’t widespread. We took steps to make sure it didn’t go any further.” He sighed, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m not saying this right,” he replied and cursed.

All those people saw me
? The phone slipped out of my fingers and onto the floor. My stomach muscles cramped and I ran to the bathroom, where I dropped to my knees before the toilet and vomited.

It didn’t matter. His words had confirmed my fear. Sure, I knew he was trying to ease my worries, but the thought of that photo etched into his memory or the memories of all those who had seen it caused just the opposite.
How can I ever look at Gregor again? Or anyone else at Arch?

Walking out of the bathroom, I dropped to the carpeted floor in the bedroom and started doing crunches and running in place as thoughts swarmed my head and tears blocked my vision. I felt like I needed to move, if only to clear my head.

The damage had been done.
There was no going back. I stopped and wiped my now damp brow, yelling out a curse.

How could this have happened?

I sought to catch my breath as the adrenaline rushed through me. Picking up my phone once again, I paced as I called my old phone to check my voicemails remotely by password, only to find it had been changed.
Jonas changed it.

He was determined to shut me out. But being in the dark didn’t protect me, and now I needed to find another way to fix this. I was too far gone to sit down and idly wait or to listen patiently while my life went to hell.

I dumped the phone on the bed.

Knowing Declan, he would have called and warned of his plan. My mind crowed.
If only I had kept my phone and dealt with this myself.
I would have been okay.

I was lying to myself again.

I knew how angry Declan must have been when he couldn’t reach me. I should have seen this coming. Once again, I had underestimated him. He truly was a boy, one who petulantly lashed out when he didn’t get his way. And even after I did all he asked, he still hurt me more. Truly, he reveled in my pain.

I clenched my fist as I snatched my phone from the bed and pressed hard enough on the keys to hurt the tips of my fingers as I typed in Declan’s phone number. It went to voicemail.

“You fucking asshole…” I yelled out venomously as I started to tell him once again what he had done and how he had hurt me
. No.
I reminded myself.
Don’t give him your pain.
He would only delight in it.
“
Not a chance,” I said, gritting my teeth.

The phone line beeped. Was that before or after I spoke?
Never mind.
I hung up and threw my phone down on the bed again.
Fuck Declan.
He will pay for this somehow.

“Lily, where are you?”

I heard Jonas’s voice coming from downstairs and I sprang to my feet and rushed to talk to him. I found him in the living room, standing by the couch with his hand out, gesturing for me to come to him.

My mouth twisted on approach. “I spoke with Gregor and he told me about the hack and photos.”

Jonas’s face contorted. “I told Gregor that I wanted to tell you.” For a moment I thought he was going to rage against Gregor, but then he said, “Never mind. He did his part. This is about your piece of shit ex. Yes, he got out of jail and sent a photo. But I don’t want you to worry. He will be going back tonight, I’ll make damn sure of that!”

I hesitated. Declan had been in jail?
Good,
I thought bitterly. But then I remember how this all had happened in the first place. I raised my voice and shot Jonas a steely glare. “It was a warning for me! If I hadn’t been left in the dark I could have—”

Jonas interrupted. “Could have what? Stopped him? Or me? No. Not telling you was my way of protecting you from what needed to be done to that fucker. We didn’t think he would be stupid enough to retaliate after his release with a trial pending. But my team will fix this—”

“It’s too late now,” I spat and sobbed. “My job is ruined. I mean, what the hell am I going to do now? I’m losing my life,” I said miserably.

“He will be back in jail tonight. Trust me, if that piece of shit ever gets out again, he won’t have a damn thing to return to. That, I can promise you!” he said furiously.

My anger lost some momentum once I met his now-desolate expression. His voice calmed, a hint of regret filling in around his words. “I didn’t let you listen to your messages,” he explained, “because they were filled with abuse and threats. I wasn’t going to let him hurt you again.” His face softened as we looked at each other. “It hurts me to see you in pain, and I wanted to protect you. I want you happy and safe with me.”

My gaze was direct as I took his hands and held them firmly. “I am happy. I love you, and it hurts me to see you sad, but you have to give me a chance. I need you to trust that I’m strong enough to handle it. I’m getting better and stronger every day, but I’d be even more with you by my side, instead of trying to carry me. Please, Jonas. Share with me what’s going on. Let me in for the both of us,” I pleaded.

Jonas bit into his bottom lip as he took my hands and rubbed my knuckles with his thumbs. “I hear you. But I need you to remember it hasn’t been long since I came to Arch and found you almost broken. My heart broke seeing you like that.” He moved his hands to my hips and slowly pulled me into his arms. I didn’t resist, though I didn’t attempt to hold him back either. Sure, I wanted his comfort, but I needed him to stop sheltering my life more.

He stared down at me and I met his stare. “Lily, I do see you getting stronger every day and I’m proud of you.” He took a long exhale. “You’re right. If it was up to me, I would keep you away, but I see that’s not possible when
we
are dealing with a man without limits or conscience.”

My shoulders dropped. “I realized that too late.”

Jonas ran his hands down my arms. “I wanted to protect you and keep you on your road to recovery. But I’ll do whatever you need. I’ll get you a new job or internship. Even a mentorship. I’ve already contacted—”