Bare Hearts (15 page)

“You ready for this?” I ask, squeezing her knee as we drive to the station.

“I hope so,” she says. Her eyes are downcast and I can see she is nervous.

“You’ll be fine, I promise.” She gives me a weak smile. I pull in to the station and lean over to give her a kiss. Taking her by the hand, I lead her into the station. I spot the officer from yesterday and let him know we are there to give our statement from the incident.

He greets us, leading us both down a hall to a conference room.

“Have a seat. Would either of you like a bottle of water?” He offers.

“Sure,” I say. Lily is sitting next to me, and I’m holding her hand against my leg.

When he leaves, I give her hand a light squeeze, letting her know everything will be okay.

“Okay, here ya go,” he says, handing over the waters

“Thanks,” Lily says.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like your statement on what happened yesterday. Please start from the very beginning,” he instructs.

I watch as Lily untwists the cap of the bottle to take a drink. Setting the bottle back down, she clears her throat before she speaks.

“Officer, my dad has been in the mob since I can remember. For some reason he hated that I was involved with Parker. But I will start from the very beginning.”

The officer listens and takes notes as she makes her statement. And when she said she’d start from the very beginning, she did. I am so proud of her for being so brave and facing this head on. I’m not sure I would be strong enough.

Lily finishes her statement and the officer shifts in his chair.

“I can certainly understand why you had enough of his crap and had a gun on him. But I’m afraid I may have some bad news. I’ve been in contact with some higher ups such as the FBI, and they think its best that you two go into the witness protection program. They have been looking into him since he’s been out of prison. They plan on taking out his whole team.”

“Then why would we have to go into witness protection?” She asks.

“Well, we might not be able to convict all of them, or even him. We don’t know how the trial will turn out. So we felt it was best if you go into the program. And the sooner we can do it the better. I’ll give you two some time to talk about it.” He walks out of the room, giving us some privacy.

My stomach turns in knots at the thought of going into the program. I turn my body to Lily. “What are you thinking?”

“Honestly? I don’t know what to think. I mean, what if we break up? What about my aunt? So many things are running in my head.” She shakes her head.

“You don’t have to worry about us. We are good. We will always be good, as long as we’re together. And I don’t see why your aunt can’t come with us.”

“If they came looking for me and couldn’t find me, her place is the next one they would go to. If we do this, where do you want to go?” She asks, turning to me.

“Wherever you want; I will follow your lead,” I tell her.

“Have you decided if you wanted to go into the program?” The officer asks when he returns.

“What about my aunt? She is the only family I have left; they are sure to go looking for me at her place. And I want to visit my mom’s grave before we leave.”

“I understand where you’re coming from. We can get your aunt in the program if she wants to. If she doesn’t, you can’t have any contact with anyone from your past life. You will be given new names and everything. Take the night to think about it and call your aunt. Then come back tomorrow with your decision.”

“Thank you, officer, I appreciate everything.” I shake his hand as we turn to leave.

Outside, it’s dark and muggy already; we have been here for hours as Lily told her story to the officer. Grabbing her hand as we walk to the car, I open the door for her. I guide her in and shut the door.

“You okay?” I ask, sliding behind the wheel.

“I think so. Can we stop by my shop to grab some flowers for my mom’s grave before we head home?”

“Of course. Are you leaning toward going into the program?” I ask hesitantly.

She just nods her head yes and gives me a weak smile. She remains quiet the rest of the drive. I know she’s sad about the turn of events and her life is about to completely change. I pull into the shop and watch as she unlocks the door and goes inside. Tilting my head against the headrest, I close my eyes, waiting for her to return.

I hear motion outside the car and see Lily locking the shop back up.

“Alright, let’s go. I left a note for Lucy to look after things,” she says holding a bouquet in her lap.

Arriving at the cemetery after dark is an eerie feeling. I let Lily say goodbye to her mom while I go pay my parents’ grave a visit as well. I kiss my hand touching each of their stones and I hope they are with each other.

“I’m not sure if this goodbye or not, but mostly likely it is. I met a girl and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. But it comes at a price that I’m willing to sacrifice, because she is worth it. I hope you are proud of me and the man I’ve become.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Inside, all I want to do is scream. I can’t believe my life is being turned upside down all because of my father. Parker heads over to his parents’ grave while I say goodbye to my mom. Its dark and the cemetery is creepy at this time. I make my way over to her grave. Placing the flowers along the stone, I kneel down to talk to my mom. I trace her name with my fingers.

“It’s killing me that I have to say goodbye to my best friend. I love you and miss you so much each day. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you, wishing you were here with me. I think you would like Parker. He is handsome, protective of me, and has been my rock through everything. As much as I denied my feelings for him, he never gave up. I think he’s the one. I’m only saying goodbye so we can have a fresh start, kind of a do over if you will. We met under the most unusual circumstances, and I want him in my life forever and ever.” I kiss my fingers and touch the stone as I turn to walk away.

Hearing a noise, I turn around to face Parker. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough.” He grins. “Come over here. I want to at least introduce you to my parents. So they can meet the girl of my dreams,” he says.

We walk hand and hand over to their graves’. “Mom, Dad, this is Lily. Lily, my parents,” he gestures.

I look at their stones. “Nice to meet you both. You have an amazing son here. I promise he’s in good hands.”

I interlace my arm in his as we walk back to the car.

“Is all of this okay with you?” I ask as we get in the car.

He shifts in his seat to face me. “Lily, I will follow you to the end of the earth if it meant we could be together. I’m in this for the long haul.” He presses his lips to mine and his tongue invades my mouth, exploring.

Breaking from the kiss, Parker heads to my house. I want to spend my last night there. Inside, everything is still intact.

“I’ll lock everything back up while you go call your aunt,” he assures me.

In the kitchen, I hesitate picking up the phone, hoping that my aunt agrees to going into the program. It’s the best thing for all of us. Taking a deep breath, I dial her number and sit on the stool in the kitchen.

“Hey Aunt Becca, I was calling because Tony is at it again. You know flipping my world upside down and back again. He was finally arrested again. I don’t want to get into too many details over the phone, but I need you. The police want me and Parker to enter the witness protection program, but I insisted you come with us.”

“You won’t be a burden, I swear. You’re the only family I have left and I need you with us. So I know you’re safe. Please,” I continue.

Hanging up the phone, relief washes over me and a weight lifts off me.

“She agreed; she’s on her way here as we speak,” I tell Parker in the living room.

“I’m glad. And I know how happy you are about it.”

While he lounges on the couch, I move to straddle him. I inch my face close to his while he places his hands on my butt. I bring his face close and kiss him. My tongue invades his mouth as he pulls me closer into his body.

“I love you,” I say, pulling back.

“I love you, too. What do you say about us getting married tomorrow before our life completely changes? We can go to the justice of the peace, and your aunt can be a witness.”

His words leave me speechless. He flashes his toothy grin at me as I contemplate what to say.

“Are you for real?” I ask

“Yes, you know I’m serious.”

“No, I mean are
you
real? Because this feels like a dream; if it is, don’t wake me up. I never thought I would get to experience love like this, especially with my parent’s marriage and having a boyfriend cheat on me with my best friend. I sort of accepted the fact that it may never happen for me. And then you come along and everything changes, literally. So, the answer is hell yes. Yes, I will marry you.”

We sit there entwined with each other, making out, and excited to be getting married.

“You are it for me, Lily.

“And you are it for me, Parker.”

He flips me so I’m lying beneath him on the couch, positioning himself in between my legs. His gaze lingers as his hand starts roaming my body, starting at my calf as he works his way up. His lips crash into mine as I pull on the hem of his shirt, yanking it off. I put my hands on his chest, feeling the hardness of his pecs snaking my arms around his neck and running one hand through his hair, bringing his lips back to mine. I suck on his bottom lip, lightly nibbling on it.

“Damn that turns me on,” he says as he does the same to me.

Bringing his hand behind me, he causes me to arch my back so he unclips my bra. My arms are now being held above my head with one of his hands, while his other hand is kneading my breasts and rolling his thumb over my nipple. He bends down, sucking on each one and making my nipples hard. His tongue is warm as he grazes my jaw line, sending shivers down my spine. I tilt my head back so he gives my neck some attention; my weak spot.

Once he releases my arms, I hurriedly undo his pants, pushing them off with his boxers. His erection is hard against my middle. Moving his tongue down my body, he stops to pull my thong off. His tongue makes its way back to my sensitive bud causing my legs to spread wider.

He reaches up, rubbing one hand over my breast and I run my hand through his hair. A moan escapes my throat and he slides up my body again, as he enters my wetness. We continue kissing as he thrusts in and out of me. The ecstasy is so overwhelming, causing me to cum in no time. After a few more thrusts, Parker cums inside me, causing us to convulse together.

Grabbing a tissue off the table, he cleans me up so I can get up and get to the shower. He decides to join me, and we take turns washing each other. I slowly rub the soapy sponge over his chest and the soap runs down his sexy V cut. He takes the sponge from me turning me so my back is to him, he runs the sponge over my back. Then he spins me back to face him and he runs it over my breasts and neck. My body starts to feel tingly all over as he rubs in between my legs with the sponge.

He steps out of the shower first to dry off and I rinse my body. Holding the towel for me, I step out and he wraps it around me.

I slip on a pair of red lace panties while he pulls on a pair of boxers.

“We should get some sleep. Your aunt will be here early in the morning. Ten hours comes quick, and we have a long day ahead. Oh, and we’re getting married tomorrow.” He smiles, pulling me into him as we lay in bed.

“Yes, we’re getting married, and it’s the one thing I am looking forward to the most,” I say, smiling into his chest and wrapping my arms around him.

*****

I wake bright and early as the sun peeks in the curtains by the bed, excited to be getting married to Parker and having my aunt witness it. She is going to freak when she finds out. Sliding out of bed quietly, I try not to wake Parker as he sleeps peacefully and slip on the plush robe he got me.

Heading downstairs, I think about the day ahead; it will be happy and bittersweet at the same time. My former life will be no longer. I’m looking forward to my future with Parker and my aunt still in my life.

I turn the coffee on and I hear the front door open and close. In the living room, my aunt outstretches her arms to me, embracing me tightly. I take her hand to lead her into the kitchen.

“I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Oh Lily, you look so much better than when I last saw you, which is a good thing,” she tells me sweetly.

Grabbing two mugs, I fill both with coffee and sit next to her at the island.

“So, are you going to tell me what is going on or do I have to guess?” She asks impatiently.

I fill her in on all the drama Tony caused for Parker and me, and I was thankful she wasn’t there to witness any of it.

“I’m just glad you two are okay, and happy that he’s back where he belongs.”

I smile. “I also have some good news to share. Parker and I are getting married today at the courthouse. We’d love you to be there with us, as a witness.”

“Oh my god, Lily, I am so happy to hear that. And you know I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” she squeals.

“You want to help me get ready?”

“You really have to ask?” She happily expresses her joy.

On our way upstairs, we bump straight into Parker. Aunt Becca quickly brings him into a hug. “I am so happy for you two!” He gives me a smile over her shoulder.

“She’s going to help me get ready for today,” I tell him, planting a kiss on his lips.

“Will you be okay if I go out for a bit? I need to run a few errands and grab a few things from my place.”

“Of course; we’ll be here getting ready.” I watch as he rushes into the bathroom to shower. I quickly grab the green dress out of the room and we head into my mom’s old room to get ready.

“You are going to look so beautiful. I only wish your mom could be here,” Aunt Becca says, placing a hand on my shoulder.