"But with that being said," Dad amends, "we had to react to the accusation of turning a blind eye to your relationship. The last thing we need is the state trying to take Lilly away and bringing charges against all of us—including you, Rhys."
My eyes bulge, and Lilly's hands fly to her mouth.
What the fuck?
"Can they do that?" A hollow vacuum builds in my chest.
"I haven't looked into all the legalities yet, but Lilly is underage, even if just for another week. And no matter how you turn it, once the suit is out, it will follow us forever. Not only would you"—she levels me with her courtroom face—"be labeled, but Dad and I would be charged with neglect. I'm confident we could fight it, but it will ruin everyone's reputation, even if we'd win."
"So, what did you do?" Lilly's whispered question drags me out of the rabbit hole I was already halfway down. They could charge me with rape because of my ex talking to the media.
How did this happen?
"Agent Camden released a statement that Mom and I were fully aware of your relationship. Lilly has known of her adoption for some time, but we decided, as a family, to keep it on the down low until she was ready to talk about it. Your emotional relationship evolved over the years. We didn't encourage it but also didn't permit it, knowing this would only push you more toward each other. We kept open communication with both of you, and once it became clear that you two had developed feelings for each other, we set clear rules for both of you. We have raised all our children to be responsible and honest. You are mature for your age, and along with the rules, we trusted you to make the right decisions." Dad concludes his recap by pushing himself off of the desk chair.
"So, you lied your ass off," I deadpan.
"We did." There is no remorse in my father's tone.
I begin to question my judgment on his motives all those years. Maybe he is not the emotionally compromised robot I made him out to be? Along with a sense of gratitude, the gut feeling that his actions are linked to everything that has happened to this family is growing.
"What happens next?" Hearing Lilly speak after a day of silence still startles me.
"We expect there to be more reports about the kidnapping. So far, the clusterfuck your ex has caused has distracted everyone from that," Mom sneers, and I stare at her with wide eyes.
"Mom! Did you just drop the F-bomb?"
My mother smirks at me sheepishly. "I do curse when it's warranted, honey." Then she turns to Lilly. "As for what happens next, this is what we wanted to discuss with you."
I'm so not gonna like this.
Dad rounds his desk and leans against the front of it with his arms crossed over his chest. A silent communication passes between him and Mom, and the vacuum in my chest expands.
He nods at her, and she inhales deeply before speaking. "We would like for Lilly to return to school tomorrow."
A whimper escapes the girl in my arm, and I tighten my hold on her.
"Are you crazy? Have you not seen what everyone's been saying about her?" There is zero point in trying to rein in my temper.
Both of my parents remain calm. "Hear us out, son," Dad begs. He actually pleads with me. This man never so much as asks; he demands. And people follow. That's who Colonel Tristen McGuire is.
I press my lips together, waiting for the second Danner—not any regular shoe—to drop.
"The longer Lilly stays in hiding, the worse the rumors get. Camden got a hold of another article that is set to print tomorrow, questioning Lilly's memory loss."
Dad cocks his head, scanning both of us intently. I'm ninety percent sure he questions it himself.
If the FBI chick found that article, why hasn't Nate?
The prolonged silence is beginning to choke me. I don't want Lilly to face WH. I can only do so much in school—meaning I can only rearrange the faces of the male student population. Kat has the female one cowering at her feet, and I don't think even Den has the power to prevent the things that will happen. My ex is their QueenBitch.
"Okay."
All eyes in the room swivel to Lilly. I lean forward to get a better look at her face, and what I see there is such a surprise it makes my brows furrow. Her eyes are hard and determined, but her flipping of her thumb against the rest of her fingers tells me the opposite.
Reaching up, I turn her face toward me. "Are you sure?"
Lilly bobs her head, and I peer at my mother. Her narrowed eyes show that she’s not buying it either.