Chapter 88

Lily's POV

I watched as Joseph holstered his gun, and everything in front of me seemed to slow down. Zachary's body lay on the side of the road, and I stood trembling in Jake's arms.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, his voice softer than usual.

I mechanically nodded. Every cell in my body was screaming to run, to be with Nathan at this moment. But I had to stay calm.

Joseph approached us, his eyes showing emotions I couldn't read. "Jake, you need to go back to the safe house. Tell Nathan that Lily is with me."

Jake looked at Joseph in surprise, his eyes filled with suspicion. "You think I'll leave her with you?"

"It's part of the plan," Joseph replied calmly, but his words exploded in my mind like a bomb.

"What plan?" I pushed away from Jake's embrace, staring at Joseph. "Nathan's plan?"

Joseph took a deep breath and nodded. "Nathan agreed to hand you over to my father."

"What?" My voice almost broke. Nathan agreed to hand me—a pregnant woman—over to Antonio Moretti? It couldn't be true.

"Nathan wouldn't do that," Jake said firmly, but his confidence wavered in his eyes.

"He will, because he trusts me," Joseph looked at Jake. "He trusts me to protect Lily, to complete my mission."

I felt dizzy, leaning against the car door for support. "So, all of this was... planned?"

"Not entirely." Joseph admitted. "The original plan was to let Tony's men take you, and I just happened to be there. But I couldn't risk them taking you, so I intervened first."

I tried to make sense of it all. "So, Nathan knew I would be taken?"

Joseph nodded. "He needed my father to lower his guard. Only then could he get close to him."

Jake stared into Joseph's eyes, as if searching for traces of lies. Finally, he nodded. "I never doubted my cousin, I knew he had a plan."

"Yes, it's a secret plan. I wasn't supposed to tell you, Lily." Joseph rubbed his forehead. "But I couldn't bear to let you think Nathan abandoned you."

"How is Christopher?" I suddenly asked, remembering Joseph's little brother.

"He's back with me." Joseph's face lit up with a smile. "He has a plan... you just need to trust him."

I closed my eyes, recalling Nathan's words before he left. I love you, trust me, I'm sorry. He knew what was about to happen, but he didn't tell me. Once again, he chose to protect me without my knowledge.

"I trust Nathan." I finally said, my voice firmer than I imagined.

Jake looked at me, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes. He extended his arm, and unexpectedly, I reached out to him. We embraced each other, something unimaginable before.

"Stay safe, Chipmunk," he whispered in my ear. "And take care of that little one." He gently patted my belly. "When you come back safely, we'll have a drink together."

Jake and I were so different, coming from completely different worlds. But I liked this serious side of him.

Jake let go of me and turned to Joseph. "Whatever happens, you must come back alive!" he commanded, his voice filled with threat. "Or Nathan will kill me."

Joseph nodded, then gestured for me to get in the car. I sat in the passenger seat, Jake closed the door, making a silly face at me, trying to make me smile.

Joseph started the engine, and we drove away, leaving behind the bodies of Jake and Zachary on the roadside.

"What is this plan all about?" I asked, fastening my seatbelt. "You're going to hand me over to your father, and then what? Won't he kill me?"

Joseph shook his head. "The original plan was not to tell you anything. Nathan said your acting skills are not good."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, because lying to me is always the best solution."

"It is this time." Joseph said seriously. "If you knew the plan, you might get nervous, you might say the wrong thing."

I crossed my arms. "And what about the people lying on the ground? Those who were attacked by Tony's men?"

"They're fine." Joseph said. "Just minor injuries. I will let my father know who betrayed him—his own son."

We were silent for a moment, and I watched the trees fly by outside the window.

"I love you, Lily," Joseph suddenly said.

I froze, not knowing what to say. I swallowed and turned my head to look out the window, afraid to meet his eyes.

"You don't have to respond." His voice was calm. "I just want you to know. Because I love you, all of this is worth it."

I bit my lip. I obviously cared for Joseph, and I could even say I loved him—as a friend, as a brother. But how could I say I loved him romantically when I didn't?

"Joseph, I..."

"No, don't say it." He cut me off. "I know. Nathan loves you, you clearly love Nathan, and I love both of you. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?"

He laughed, but there was too much pain in that laughter.

"How is Christopher?" I changed the subject, unable to face his emotional confession.

"He's fine." Joseph nodded. "Father doesn't know about Tyler, so Christopher is safe for now."

Joseph's phone rang. He glanced at it, sighed. "It's my father."

He pressed the answer button, putting it on speaker.

"Joseph, my son." Antonio's voice came through the speaker, sending shivers down my spine. His voice was not as soft and friendly as Joseph's. It was full of threats, each word like a knife.

"Father, I've captured the girl Sullivan wants to protect." Joseph's voice suddenly turned cold.

"Very good, very good." Antonio's excitement was palpable. "And what about that traitor Tyler?"

"He's still alive." Joseph replied. "But barely."

"Let him live." Antonio ordered. "I want him to witness the whole show."

I swallowed nervously, my hand unconsciously touching my belly. I wasn't ready to face him.

"If you play any tricks, Joseph," Antonio's voice became more dangerous, "I will kill you and Christopher. Do you understand?"

"Yes, father." Joseph's voice was firm.

"Good. Come back." Antonio said. "Everyone needs to come back. I have a special guest to invite."

I blinked. Everyone? Was this Nathan's plan? To have Antonio summon everyone back to one place?

"Including the Sullivan family?" Joseph asked.

"Only a few." Antonio replied. "Richard, of course, and that rude beast Nathan. I want to see his reaction when I kill his woman and child."

The call ended, and the car fell into silence.

"So, this is Nathan's plan?" I finally asked. "Sometimes I feel like Nathan enjoys the thrill, that's why he likes risking my life."

"Antonio has lowered his guard." Joseph explained. "That's what Nathan wanted. Let my father think he's in control, when in reality, Nathan always plans ahead, he can't lose."

I nodded, starting to understand. Meeting Antonio was a necessary sacrifice, and Antonio calling everyone back meant the hostages from the Sullivan family would be safe.

"But this is very dangerous for you." I said to Joseph. "Antonio will think you betrayed him."

Joseph shrugged. "If something happens... can you take care of Christopher?"

My heart clenched. "Nothing will happen." I said, but even I didn't believe it. In this situation, anything could happen.

"Promise me." Joseph insisted.

"I promise you, I will take care of Christopher." I promised. "But you will be fine, we will all come out alive."

Joseph didn't reply, just continued driving.

"My father Antonio Moretti hates you." After a while, he suddenly said. "Get ready to face that hatred."

I took a deep breath and nodded. I would be ready. For Nathan, for our child, for ending all of this, I had to be brave.