Chapter 142

Chapter 142
Crew’s POV

My car’s engine roars,like a beast echoing the rage tearing through me, my knuckles white on the wheel as I speed toward Lily’s estate, my mind a blood-red haze.

Lily’s sobs—“He beat us, Crew, so bad”—are a wound, her voice breaking as she described her father’s fists on her face, her ribs, her mom’s blood, her bite on his head to save Mary.

I’m going to kill Richard Carter, that abusive fuck, make him feel every ounce of pain he inflicted—her swollen jaw, her cracked ribs, her mom’s broken body.

The necklace, her heirloom, burns at my throat, a vow she’s mine, and I’ll protect her, even if it means blood, even if it means his life.

Billy’s text—They’re safe, penthouse—and his call about Lily’s internal injuries, her need for surgery, fuel my fury, my heart is a bleeding mess, her pain hurting me badly.

I’m halfway to their estate, my plan simple: find him, beat him until he’s nothing, a pulp for daring to touch her.

My phone buzzes, Billy’s name flashing, and I snarl, answering, my voice a growl. “What, Bil? I’m busy.” My eyes are on the road, the estate’s gates a target, my rage sharpened for Richard.

“Don’t do anything fucking stupid, Crew,” Billy snaps, his voice hard, cutting through my rage.

“I know you’re gunning for her dad, but you’ll get yourself locked up or worse. Lily needs you alive, not in a cell. Get your ass to the penthouse—now. She’s asking for you.” His words hit like a punch, Lily’s name a tether, her need for me a chain pulling me back from the edge.

“Fuck that,” I roar, my voice cracking, tears burning my eyes.

“He nearly killed her, Bil—her face, her ribs, surgery! I’m ending him.” My chest heaves, my love for her is insane
her pain is hurting so hard. I can’t be silent.

I see her in Vermont—her moans, her pussy mine, her heart open—and I’m desperate to save her, to erase her father’s marks.

“Crew, listen,” Billy says, his voice low, urgent. “She’s broken, man, but she’s fighting. You go after him, you’re not helping her—you’re leaving her alone. Come here, be with her, let me handle that bastard. Trust me.” His promise, his Manchester grit, pierces my rage, and I’m torn, my foot easing off the gas, my heart screaming for her, not him.

“Fine,” I choke, my voice rough, tears falling as I swerve, redirecting to the city, the penthouse.

“But if he comes near her again, he’s dead.”

I hung up, my chest tight, my rage shimmering but redirected, Lily’s face—bruised, scared, “I love you”—my guide.

I speed through traffic, my mind on her, on holding her, on making her whole, Alison’s kiss, Rita’s flirtation, dust against her fight.

The penthouse elevator dings, and I’m out, my boots heavy, my heart a wreck as I burst into Billy’s place, the city skyline a blur through the windows. Lily’s on a couch, a blanket over her with a cup of coffee.

Her face is a map of pain—her jaw swollen, her eyes blackened, her lips split, her breaths shallow. My knees buckle, a sob tearing from me, as I rush to her, dropping to my knees, my hands hovering, afraid to touch her broken body.

“Lil,” I choke, tears streaming, my voice sounding like a plea. “I’m here, baby, I’m so sorry.”

Her eyes, dull with pain, meet mine, a spark of love flickering, and she tries to smile, wincing, her voice a whisper. “Crew… you came.” Her hand, bruised, reaches for mine as she drops the cup, and I take it, gentle, my heart shattering, her courage—biting him, saving her mom—a fire I’m in awe of.

“I need surgery,” she says, tears falling, her voice trembling. “Internal bleeding… my ribs. Mom too, her lung’s bad. I’m scared.”

My chest cracks, her pain is mine also, and I lean in, my forehead to hers, my tears mixing with hers. “You’re gonna be fine, Lil,” I say, my voice fierce, rough. “Both of you. I’ll take care of everything—doctors, bills, whatever you need. I’m not leaving you, ever.” My words are a vow, my love will be her shield, her fear of a battle I’ll fight.

I kiss her knuckles, soft, my rage at Richard is shallow, my focus is on her, only her.

She nods, her sobs quieting, her trust a gift I don’t deserve.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine, the necklace at my throat a vow she sees, her “I love you” a pulse I feel. I hold her hand, my heart bleeding, her strength—fleeing, fighting—a light I’ll guard.

Billy steps in, his face grim, his presence commanding with respect, and Lily’s eyes shift, her voice soft. “You’re Billy?” she asks, her hand tightening in mine, her gratitude is genuine.

“Thank you… for Tony, for saving us.” Her tears fall, her voice breaking, and Billy nods, his eyes softening, a rare crack in his armor.

“No problem, Lily,” he says, his voice gruff. “You’re family now. We got you.” His words hit me, his loyalty a weight, and Lily’s smile, faint but real, is a spark, her strength a fire I’m fueling.

I turn back to her, my hand in her hair, gentle, my voice a whisper.

“You’re so brave, Lil,” I say, my tears falling.

Fuck!!! I love Lily Carter so much.

I've never cried in the presence of anyone, not even my family. But here I am crying for the girl I love so much.

“You fought him, saved your mom, called me. You’re everything.”

I see her in Vermont—her moans, her trust, her love—and I’m desperate, my vow strong: I’ll protect her, her mom, make them whole. Richard’s out there, a monster, but Billy’s handling him, and I’m here, for her, my rage, a blade I’ll wield later.

She leans into me, her breaths shallow, her pain a weight we share. “I love you,” she whispers, her voice tiny, and I kiss her forehead, soft, my heart hers.

“I love you too,” I choke, my soul bare, her surgery, her mom’s, a battle we’ll win.

I hold her, my eyes on Billy, his nod a promise—Richard’s days are numbered. Lily’s mine, her mom safe, their future my war, no matter the cost, no matter the blood.