“No, it’s cool,” Lily told him. “I was just about to leave. Got to check in with Nick and all that fun stuff before we leave.”
Tristen started to snicker at her. “Thanks again for agreeing to come,” she said as Lily got up.
“Actually, I didn’t agree to anything,” she told her then gave Zander a look of sympathy. “Dude, your gonna have your hands full with this one,” she said, jutting her thumb towards Tristen. As she closed the door, Lily couldn’t help but smile. Tristen wasn’t so bad actually.
Lily chewed on her nail as she watched the unfamiliar scenery pass by her through the taxi window. She really didn’t want to be here and in this taxi, but Tristen wouldn’t let her cop out no matter how hard she tried. Lily’s gaze slid to the girl, sitting in the front seat. Tristen had a small smile on her face as she practically stuck her head out of the window and took a deep breath. Lily knew that look. It was the look of home and the happiness of returning to it.
She wished she could share Tristen’s enthusiasm, but as the taxi turned into a neighborhood filled with mini-mansions, her tension grew. I shouldn’t be here, Lily couldn’t help but think. The taxi slowed and stopped at a grossly huge white house. Tristen bolted out of the car as soon as it stopped, rushing to meet those who came spilling out of the house. Lily sucked in a breath as she immediately recognized the shrewd face of her biological mother.
“Come on, let’s get this over with,” James said, patting her knee before climbing out of the taxi.
“I’d rather stay in the taxi,” she mumbled sourly then glared at the driver. “Do not go anywhere! We won’t be here long.”
Although he may not know the details, the driver seemed to think he knew enough to chuckle at her dismay. She scowled and followed James out. A tall man was shaking James’ hand and thanking him. He was just as tall as James, but his build was much slimmer. There was this air of high class and sophistication to him that announced he had both money and power, or at least power in the human world.
Lily just tried to blend in with the scenery, but as her eyes met her mother’s she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“You,” the woman said, her voice full of disdain and venom. “What are you doing here?”
Lily lifted her chin and returned her mother’s hateful glare, but it was Tristen who replied. “She saved my life.”
Their mother scoffed with an ugly expression. “Saved you? She’s probably the one that orchestrated your kidnapping,” she demanded and marched towards Lily, her eyes blazing furiously. “What is it you want Lily? Money? Did you hear how well Patrick is doing and thought you’d get a piece of the pie? Well, let me tell you something! You’re not going to get a cent do you hear me! I won’t allow some half-breed mistake ruin my life!”
Her jaw clenched tightly as she just stared at her mother. She would, of course, think that. What surprised Lily was that she didn’t care. Not even a little bit. Here was the woman who brought her into the world, insulting her left and right, and Lily didn’t care. To be angry or hurt took too much effort than Lily was willing to spend.
“It’s true,” Tristen said, looking angry and hurt enough for the both of them.
Their mother blinked and took a few steps back. The man, assumingly Tristen’s dad, looked confused. “What’s true? What’s going on?”
“Lily’s my sister! Mom knew, and she kept her from us! She abandoned her Dad,” Tristen replied, glaring at her mother.
“I didn’t…” their mother sputtered then glared furiously at Lily.
Lily set a hand on Tristen’s shoulder. “Keep your head. It’s okay,” she told her.
“But…” Tristen started, but Lily shook her head.
“No, it’s okay. I’m fine and you’re fine,” she told her then looked to her father. “I’m Lily Nawassa. James, my partner, and I work with the local law enforcement in Montana time to time. When I heard my half sister, your daughter, went missing, we helped recover her. I don’t want anything from you or your family. I just wanted to make sure Tristen got home safe. Which I’ve done so I’ll be going now.”
Lily jerked her head to the side for James to follow her back to the taxi.
“That’s it?” Tristen said, her mouth almost in a pout.
“Yeah, what’s done is done. We can’t live in the past, but you have my number, and I have yours. I’ll keep in touch,” Lily told her.
Tristen didn’t look satisfied but nodded anyway. “Alright, I’ll call you, and you better pick up! Maybe when I’m done with school, I can come visit. Meet my other family,” she said.
Despite their mother insisting that Tristen wouldn’t get near Lily again, Lily smiled and nodded, pleased that her sister wanted to get to know her side of the family. “They’d love to meet you. Come on James, we’ve got a plane to catch.”
“Mrs. Nawassa,” Tristen’s father, called out, and Lily had to surprise a sigh as she turned once again to face the family. “Thank you, thank you for everything,” he said sounding earnest.
“No problem,” She said giving them a salute before climbing back into the taxi.
As they drove back to the airport, James laid a hand on her knee. “You okay?”
Lily didn’t answer at first, too busy watching the scenery and letting her mind absorb what had happened. “Yeah,” she said finally then turned to him. “I’m good. She can’t hurt me anymore and I don’t need her. I have a real family at home,” Lily told him, leaning over to kiss his cheek so he’d know that she included him in that statement.