Chapter 134

Chapter 134
Crew’s POV

I’m furious—at Alison’s audacity, at myself for letting Lily doubt me, at her abusive father’s threats looming, his iCloud violation exposing our Vermont photos, his “You’re a whore” threats breaking her.

The necklace—her heirloom—burns at my throat, a vow that she’s mine, and I need to find her, hold her, prove I’m hers, no matter the tutoring trap or Alison’s games.

My boots crunch on the icy path to Lily’s dorm, my heart pounding, my breath puffing in the cold. I need to explain—Alison’s kiss meant nothing, my love for Lily everything that's worth fighting for.

I round the corner, and my world stops: Lily’s outside, her black puffy coat zipped tight, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, her face pale, eyes red, her steps hurried toward a waiting black SUV. Her father’s driver stood by it, his face straight, and panic slams through me, my chest tightening, my mind screaming—She’s going home, to him, to his wrath.

“Lily!” I shout, my voice rough, breaking the quietness as I sprint toward her, my boots slipping, my heart beating like a drum. She freezes, turning, her eyes wide, her face stained with tears fresh, and I see it—fear, resignation, a girl bracing for punishment. I reach for her, my hands gripping her arms, gentle but desperate, the bag between us a barrier I want to tear away. “What the fuck are you doing?” I demand, my voice rough, panic shooting through. “You can’t go home. Not to him.”

Her lips tremble, her voice small, broken. “I have to, Crew.” Tears spill, her eyes darting to the SUV, like it's a threat. “He called again, said if I don’t come, he’ll hurt Mom. I can’t let him—” Her voice cracks, a sob escaping, and my heart fractures, her fear a mirror to my own, my need to protect her from any harm.

“No,” I growl, pulling her closer, my hands cupping her face, my thumbs wiping her tears, her skin cold under my touch. “He’s a monster, Lil. You can’t face him alone. He’ll hurt you—fuck, he’s already hurt you.” My voice shakes, memories of her stories—his fists, her bruises, her Mom’s broken spirit—choking me. “Stay here, with me. I’ll keep you safe, I swear. We’ll get your mom out, call someone, anyone.” My eyes search hers, pleading, the necklace heavy on my neck, my claim on her vow I’ll die for.

She shakes her head, her hands stopping at my chest, weak but firm, her voice anguished. “You don’t understand. He’ll kill her, Crew. He’s done it before—hurt her so bad she couldn’t move. If I don’t go, it’s on me.” Her tears fall faster, her body trembling, and I see it—the weight of years under his control, her love for her mom, a chain she can’t break. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, her eyes meeting mine, her pain hurting me so bad. “I… I have to.”

“No, Lil, you don’t have to,” I say, my voice desperate, my hands gripping her shoulders, my body trying to shield. “You don’t have to sacrifice yourself. I’ll go with you, face him, fuck him up if I have to. You’re not alone anymore.” My voice cracks, vulnerability spilling, my love for her pouring out. I think of Vermont—her moans, her pussy tight around my fingers, her trust in me—and I can’t lose her, not to him, not to fear.

She pulls back, her duffel slipping, her eyes looking tortured. “You can’t come. It will make things worse. I won’t let that happen.” Her voice hardens, a flicker of little defiance, but it’s drowned by fear, her father’s tortures.

“I have to go, Crew. Please, let me.” She steps toward the SUV, and as the driver opens the door, and my panic peaks, my mind racing for a way to stop her.

“Lily, wait!” I grab her arm, spinning her, my lips crashing into hers, a fierce, desperate kiss, my tongue claiming, my hands tangling in her hair, pouring everything—love, fear, need—into her. She moans, yielding for a moment, her body soft, but pulls away, tears streaming, her voice a whisper. “I’m sorry.” She slips free, climbing into the SUV, the door slamming, a gunshot to my heart.

I bang on the window, my voice raw and rough. “Lily, don’t do this!” The engine starts, the SUV pulling away, her face is blur through the tinted glass, her eyes locked on mine, a silent goodbye.

I’m left standing, my breath ragged, my fists clenched, panic and rage a storm as the car spreads off. She’s gone to face him, his fists, his rage, and I’m helpless, my love not enough to stop her, her fear for her mom a chain I couldn’t break.

I think of Alison, her kiss, her seduction, a distraction that cost me time, time I needed with Lily. I hate her, hate myself, hate her father, a monster I’ll destroy. The campus is quiet, but my mind screams—call Billy, get help, find her mom, stop this. I pull out my phone, my hands shaking, dialing my brother, my voice dead serious.

“Billy, I need you. Lily’s in trouble—her dad’s gonna hurt her. Find her mom, get them out.”

“What the fuck’s going on?” Billy barks, but I hear his focus, his Manchester grit.
“Everything,” I say, my voice breaking. “I can’t lose her.” I hung up as I burst into tears.

I love her and it fucking hurts.