Chapter 128

Crew’s POV

I’m pacing outside Lily’s dorm, the morning air biting, my nerves a live wire. Lily’s been off since last night, her texts distant, blaming a history paper and finals, but it’s more—something’s wrong, and it’s eating me alive.

Yesterday, she was odd too, pulling away, her eyes guarded, and I don’t know why. Spending the weekend in Vermont, fucking her, claiming her virginity, has me obsessed, her body, her moans, her trust consuming me. I want her again, any way I can get her—on my lap, against a wall, screaming my name.

I can’t stop touching her, needing the world to know she’s mine, the necklace—her father’s purity ring, now around my neck—a bold claim. I found it on the nightstand, pocketed it, and when it fell out later, the idea hit: she’s not pure anymore, not after me. I wear it proudly, a trophy, though if she wants it back, I’ll give it, reluctantly.

The dorm doors swing open, some girls spill out, but not her. I nod grimly to their greetings, checking my phone—she’s late, unusual for my punctual girl. My girl. The thought hits hard, serious, real, despite no official words. I care about her, worry clawing at me. Where is she?

The doors open again, and there’s Lily, her black puffy coat swallowing her, white wool tights clinging to her legs, Nikes on her feet. Her eyes, rimmed red, find mine, her face unreadable, and dread coils in my gut. She’s not smiling, tears threatening to fall from her eyes,and when I reach for her, she dodges, and it's like a knife to my chest.

“What’s wrong?” I demand, no time for pleasantries, my voice rough, fear spiking.

She shakes her head, tears falling, her voice small. “I have to go home today.” Her words hit like a punch, confusion swirling.

“Have to?” I step closer, my thumb wiping her tears, my hand possessive on her hip, her warmth grounding but fragile.

“My father… he’s furious,” she chokes out, more tears spilling. “He knows about us, Crew. I broke my promise to him.”

“How?” My voice hardens, anger flaring at her father, his control freak, abusive shadow looming over her.

“He’s got access to my iCloud,” she whispers, pressing her forehead to my shoulder, her body trembling. “He saw my photos—Saturday night, us, everything. I’m so ashamed.”

Irritation flares through me, her word cutting. “Ashamed of us? Or getting caught?” I pull back, searching her tortured eyes, my heart pounding, the necklace heavy against my chest.

“Both,” she admits, her voice breaking. “Mostly caught.” She takes a shuddering breath, her gaze pained. “I told him I wouldn’t… do that.”

“What, fuck someone?” I snap, frustration boiling. “There’s no shame, Lily. You’re almost eighteen. Stop acting like a kid scared of Daddy’s belt.” Her father’s control, his rage—makes me want to shield her, fight him.

Her mouth tightens, defiance flickering. “That’s not fair.”

“You’re still doing it,” I growl, grabbing her shoulders, pulling her close, her hands light on my chest, hesitant. “Life’s not fair, Lil. He can’t be mad at you for something natural. You’re a good girl—fuck, you held out longer than most. He should be proud.”

“It’s not about holding out,” she bites out, bitter. “It’s about choices.”

My heart stutters, fear spiking. “Am I the wrong choice then?”

“No, I don’t know,” she falters, looking away, pain etched on her face. “I shouldn’t have… done that.”

“Fucked me?” I ask angry, hurt. Her flinch fuels my frustration, her father’s judgment stripping our love bare.

“You don’t have to say it like that,” she whispers, her eyes meeting mine, wounded.

“He’s taken the heart out of it,” I say, softer, raw, baring myself. “Maybe I want you because I care, Lily. Because you care about me.” It’s more than I’ve ever admitted, my chest tight, vulnerability, a risk I’m taking for her.

“Do we really?” she challenges, her voice small. “It’s only been weeks. We barely know each other.”

Her words cut, but I see her fear, her father’s voice in her head. “When you find someone who lights up your world, you hold on,” I say, my voice fierce. “That’s you and me.” I kiss her, desperate, her lips yielding, her moaning a spark, but I pull back, not wanting to lose control. “You don’t have to obey him. His expectations are bullshit.”

“He’s my father,” she whispers, tears falling. “Disappointing him hurts. When he’s angry, he’s… terrible.” Her fear, her memories of his fists, his screams, choke me, and I know he’ll make her choose—him or me.

“What about me?” I ask, my voice raw, dreading her answer.

“What are we to each other?” she asks back, her eyes searching, her doubt a blade. I’m silent, my thoughts a mess, my honesty already bleeding out—I care, I want you—but it’s not enough for her.

“That’s what I thought,” she says, her disappointment clear, her tears fresh. “Maybe we moved too fast.”

“Is that you talking, or him?” I snap, regret instantly, but her pain fuels mine. “You don’t mean that.”

“I don’t know what I mean!” she cries, tearing away, walking off, leaving me rooted, anger simmering. She’s choosing him, his impossible standards, over us, and it fucking hurts, her steps away from me a rejection I can’t stomach. She’s my girl, not his, and I won’t let him win.

“Little Lily!” I shout, my voice breaking through the cold. She turns, her sad eyes piercing me. “I’m seeing you in the city. Before your birthday, after, New Year’s Eve. I’m not letting you go.”

“I don’t know if I can,” she calls, her voice a dagger, slicing my heart, but I’m undeterred.

I’ll fight for her, prove I’m not like the rest, that my care, my love, is real. I pull out my phone, calling Billy, my voice dead serious. “I need your help.”

“What now?” he barks.

“Find a way to keep her safe,” I say, my resolve steel. “Her father’s a problem.”

“I can find anything, little brother,” Billy says, his Manchester confidence a lifeline. “Tell me what you need.”

I’ll protect Lily, fuck her, love her, no matter what her father threatens, no matter the cost. She’s mine, and I’m not losing her.