Chapter 160

0160
(James POV)
It is now three o’clock in the morning, and I am talking to Lily on the phone. Lily just finished telling me everything that happened at the bar with Charlotte tonight.
It was hard, but I did my best to listen without interrupting her. I managed to get through most of it; I only interrupted her when she told me what that a&&hat Franco did to her in the hallway.
Once Lily was done telling me everything, I took a deep breath and began to pace around my bedroom. Luke desperately wanted out, but given everything that Lily just shared with us, Goddess only knew what
he would do or who he might kill.
Luke’s revenge would have to wait. First, I had questions… SO MANY QUESTIONS.
After a few minutes of mulling the questions around in my head, I decided to start with the three most
important ones.
“Are you sure that you are okay? That a&&hat did not hurt you?”
“I am fine.” Lily confirmed for the tenth time.
“And no one else touched you either?”
Lily sighed. “No one else touched me, James.”
“What was Cody Wilson like?”
“What?”
“What was Cody Wilson like?” I repeated.
Lily did not say anything. I waited for a while, but still I got no response.
“Lily? Are you still there?”
“I am here,” she confirmed.
“Why did you not respond?”
“Sorry. I was looking at my phone to make sure it really was you that I was talking to.”
“Why would it not be?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I just told you that I think my sister may still be alive, and instead of
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“What do you want me to say? I think the Cody Wilson part of tonight’s events are far more interesting
than anything having to do with your sister.”
“I am not crazy, James. And I am not making this up. I really do think that the ‘Daisy they showed me in
that picture was Stephanie.”
“Lily, I believe you. I really do. I guess I am just not that surprised.”
It is true. I am not.
“What??”
“Ever since you told me what happened the night Stephanie supposedly died, there has been a little voice gnawing at me. The more that I find out about who she really was, and how messed up your mother is,
the louder that voice becomes.”
“Why… why have you not said anything?”
“Because I did not know for sure. It was just a gut feeling that something was not right. I mean, there
was a ton of blood and hair everywhere. It looked and felt like a murder scene. No one has heard from
her in over six years, and the trackers were unable to find any sign of her anywhere despite searching for
a long time. And I cannot think of a single reason that she would leave voluntarily, much less with a
group of rogues.
But… at the same time…. the trackers were unable to find even a scrap of bone. That is really strange. We wrote it off back then as just being part of the brutality of the murder, but it could also mean that she was not killed after all and that the scene was just staged to look that way. The biggest thing, at least to me, is why the rogues would kill Stephanie and leave Shella unharmed.”
“But Sheila held a knife to Stephanie’s neck. I saw it!” Lily protested.
“I know… and that is the other piece that confuses me. But I am telling you, Lily, the more I find out about the two of them… the more stories I hear… Sheila and Stephanie were partners in crime. Sick, twisted, disgusting partners. I find it hard to believe that Sheila would intentionally kill off her partner. I cannot think to save my life what her motive would have been.”
“You. Sheila wanted you,” Lily responded softly.
“I thought about that, but if that was the case, why wait six years to force a wedding? Surely Sheila could
“I guess that is a good question. But how else do you explain it?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I feel like there are still a few puzzle pieces missing.”
“I really do think Sheila wanted Stephanie out of the way so that she could marry you and become Luna.”
I sighed. Lily has not said anything to me, but I know the upcoming wedding is bothering her. I can hear
the hurt and fear in her voice.
“Sheila will never have me, Lily,” I said firmly.
“You are supposed to marry her in two days,” Lily protested.
“No. Sheila has PLANNED for me to marry her in two days. I will never make it down that aisle. I promise you. I have plans for her, and for your mother, and for anyone else who is involved.”
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I heard Lily take a deep breath. I find it interesting that she has never asked me what my plans are. I am
not sure if that is because she trusts me or because she is afraid.
“James, what are we going to do if Stephanie really is alive?” Lily asked.
“Pray to the Moon Goddess that she has the good sense to stay away. She has been gone for six years already. There is no reason for her to come back now. She can stay in Spain or wherever the hell she is
for the rest of her life for all I care. But if she is alive; and she comes back, she will pay for her sins just
like the others.”
Lily was quiet, still processing my words.
“Now, will you PLEASE tell me more about Cody Wilson? And Derek Ab bott too?”
“You are impossible, James.”
I smiled. “Yes. But… please?”
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