She shrugs helplessly. "I don't think she cares."
"He's going to kill that girl," I say matter-of-factly.
"I know," she whispers. "I'm trying to stop him, but I think everyone's too scared. But I have a plan to help Minnie."
"Help her?" I laugh bitterly. "Like you helped her today? He broke her arm, Pandora. And you came running here, neglecting to tell me about that and riding my dick for hours before you brought it up. You're as bad as he is."
She pales visibly, then a look of pure rage crosses her face and she jams a finger into my chest. "Take that back, Dexter."
"No, I mean it." I force her hands away and whistle to Kelley who just pulled up in our driveway. "You're going home, Pandora. And don't come back for my pity, because you don't fucking deserve it."
"As if you didn't want to fuck me," she snarls, staring me down with contempt. "I'll never come back here."
"Sure you won't," I smirk.
"You don't believe me?"
"Here's the thing... You know where I am," I tell her with a cool smile. "And I know what you are."
She narrows her eyes at me, muttering, "Why don't you just-"
"Save it." I kiss her lips, soft and sweet, leaving her wanting more as I pull away and she attempts to hide the desire plainly visible in her hungry eyes. "I'll be waiting for you, Pandora. We both know you're coming back."
With that, I close the front door, leaving her stranded on my doorstep.
Once I unlock the door to Lily Anna's room, I fully expect her to launch herself at me, demanding answers and coming for my blood. But she's sitting in the corner of the room instead, her back upright and a calm smile playing on her face. She rises when I enter, coming toward me with long, deliberate and confident steps.
"Hello," I speak up formally. "I'm sorry I haven't checked in on you in a few hours."
She examines my face with interest. I'm glad I don't wear my heart on my sleeve, otherwise she'd be able to tell instantly what I spent my day doing. Even though I took a long shower, regretting every second I spent under the hot spray off the water, I still smell Pandora's scent on me. I can't get enough of it. I hated washing it off. I want to envelop myself in her like her scent is expensive cologne.
She doesn't ask me where I was, just comes up to me, wrinkling her nose. Then, her eyes meet mine, searching my gaze for answers. I force myself not to look away, staring right back at her and daring her to call me out on the truth. But Lily Anna doesn't. Instead, she offers a sugary sweet smile as she draws out, "That's alright."
I'm surprised by how lucid she seems. For the first time in months, I feel like I'm seeing a glimpse of the old Lily Anna, the girl I loved so years ago, before it all went to shit.
Something takes over me then, and I surprise myself by saying, "Do you want to come to the living room for a while?"
Her eyes light up at the opportunity. I'm risking everything by bringing her out of her room, but the desire to give her more is too strong to stop myself. Finally, she nods tentatively, and I unlock the door again, motioning for her to walk in front of me.
She takes painfully slow steps down the hallway, and I follow behind closely, making sure she's safe and not trying to get away from me. She behaves like a good girl and gives me no reason to worry, making my heart swell with guilt.
I shouldn't have done this to her.
Every day I keep her locked up is another notch on my death sentence.
No wonder Anders couldn't stay and help me take care of the girl. The whole situation is too messed up for words.
We walk into the living room. I've cleared away all the traces of my day with Pandora, but the fire is still burning in the hearth, and Lily Anna sits in front of the fireplace now, admiring the sparks flying and hitting the glass panel before the logs.
"So beautiful," she mutters. "I like it."
I smile, sitting down next to her and extending my arms. We both warm our palms on the fire before I reach over to the poker in a metal box on the mantel, and stoke the fire. Lily Anna watches the flames burning as we sit there in companionable silence. But for the first time, I'm sure about something - whatever Lily Anna and I had is over. My love for her has faded over the years. I've become jaded by her personality, fooled by her lies one too many times to keep indulging her vindictive personality.
"Lily Anna." My voice fades as I say her name, and she turns her head to look at me. "I've been thinking about leaving."
She cocks her head to the side, a sweet smile lighting up her face. "Oh. Where are we going?"
The way she phrases her question doesn't escape me, and I force myself not to wince as I answer, "I'm leaving this town. Eden Falls is toxic. I want to get the hell out of here."
Her eyes widen. "But where could we possibly go?"
I need to tell her the truth, and I know it's going to hurt.
I reach over for her hands, gathering them in mine. "Lily Anna, I... I'm not leaving with you."
Shock registers in her eyes first, then betrayal. She snatches her hands away from mine, but merely nods in response. "What's going to happen to me, then?"
"Well, you're old enough to do whatever you want," I tell her gently. "Your father-er, Emilian Oakes, he... he can't hurt you, even with his influence. Nobody would let him hurt you anymore, not now that you're of legal age, and everyone knows you're not..."
"Not what?"
"Nothing," I mutter. "Point is, you'd be free. Free to go wherever you wanted."
"But what if I want to come with you?"
I try to take her hands again, but I don't want to upset her, so I run my fingers through my hair again. "Thing is, Lily Anna, I'm not leaving by myself."
Once again, there's shock, then betrayal, then pure resentment. But she doesn't say anything, only nods and looks away. We stare silently at the fire for the next few minutes, me choosing the words that will hurt her the least when I tell her she's on her own from here on out.
"Dex?"
I look up at her, hoping she won't cry or get upset. "Yes?"
"Can you get me a drink?" Her voice is wobbly. "I don't feel so good."
"Alright," I mutter, getting up to grab some water when it hits me - this could be Lily Anna's clever plan to run away from me. To betray me and go straight to the cops. After all, I've been keeping her prisoner for a long time. This could easily play to her advantage - and my downfall.
I turn to face her again, gently asking, "Lily Anna, you don't want to hurt me, do you?"
"No." Her eyes burn with passion as she locks them with mine. "I'd never hurt you, Dexter. I love you."
Her words sting and cut deep, but I somehow manage a nod nonetheless. I set off in the direction of the kitchen, feeling tense as I pour a glass of water for her. Maybe I shouldn't trust her. Maybe this was all she wanted - an opportunity to run away, to stab me where it hurts.
I rush back so fast half of the water in the glass I got sloshes over the rim.
But once I arrive back in the living room, I notice Lily Anna hasn't moved from her spot, and guilt makes nervous beads of sweat break out on my skin.