Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 77: Truth in the Ruins

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Truth in the Ruins

How long she had been walking was unknown to Lily.

She hardly sensed the chilly early air biting her flesh. She could hear cars honking and people hurrying by in the bustling metropolis, but it all seemed so far away as if she were imprisoned in a realm apart from everyone else.

The talk with Ethan had left her heart thumping.

Based on the expression in his eyes as she left.

It was the proper decision, she had convinced herself. That she was keeping him safe. That she needed to get out before she permanently lost him.

Why, then, did she feel as though she had just ripped herself to pieces?

Pressing a hand to her chest as though she could physically contain the pain, she came to a stop at an empty park bench. Whispers of a world that continued to go on were carried by the wind as it rustled through the trees.

Not like her.

Ethan’s voice continued to reverberate in her mind even after she closed her eyes and made an effort to suppress the recollections.

"You believe that leaving will make this better?"

"Then leave."

She had hoped he would defend her.

To persuade her to stay.

However, he hadn’t.

More than anything else, that stung.

She was startled back to reality as she heard a phone buzzing in her pocket.

With shaking fingers, she took it out and gazed at the screen.

Alejandro.

She thought for a second about ignoring it. Alejandro, however, didn’t call until it was urgent.

With a shaky exhale, she responded. "What is it?"

"Where are you?" He spoke tensely.

Lily scowled. "Why?"

"Because that was Carlisle’s next move."

Ice formed in her tummy. "What took place?"

Even if Alejandro’s delay was brief, it was enough to break her heart.

"He left a note."

Lily jerked to her feet. "What sort of message is it?"

"Come to the warehouse with me." There was no room for debate in his tone. "Now."

Alejandro was already waiting for Lily when she got to the deserted warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

His body was tense and his face was dark as he stood near the doorway.

"What’s going on?" she inquired, panting from her hurried travel.

Alejandro took a moment to respond. He gave her a folded piece of paper instead.

Lily accepted it, opening it with shaky fingers.

Her blood froze.

Four simple phrases were scrawled over the page in Carlisle’s recognizable handwriting.

You ought to have remained.

Lily clasped her hands. "Where did this originate?"

Alejandro let out a breath, his jaw clenched. "This morning, one of my guys discovered it pinned to the door of your apartment."

Lily felt a knot in her stomach.

Carlisle was present.

This message can be left close enough.

Near enough to cause harm to her.

She forced herself to remain calm and swallowed hard. "Has anyone noticed him?"

Alejandro gave a headshake. "No. However, that isn’t the worst aspect.

Lily gasped for air. "Is there more?"

Alejandro pointed to the door of the warehouse. "This must be seen for yourself."

She followed him inside, feeling a knot of dread in her stomach.

The smell of rusted metal and wet wood filled the air. The floor was covered in weird shadows as light poured through smashed windows.

Then she noticed it.

In the middle of the room was a chair with a man strapped to it, his head hunched forward.

James.

Lily gasped for air. His clothes were ripped, his face was battered, and his shirt collar was stained with blood.

Alejandro lowered his head and gripped his chin as he knelt before him. James’s bulging eyes scarcely opened as he moaned in agony.

Lily muttered, "James."

His mouth formed a feeble, derisive grin. "You took too long."

Her pulse accelerated, but Lily paid no attention. "Who did you get hurt by this?"

James laughed harshly and without amusement. "Isn’t that clear?"

Lily’s thoughts were racing as she turned to Alejandro. "Why would Carlisle harm him in this way? He simply gave him a handout.

Alejandro’s face became stern. "Because James made a mistake."

James’s lips were speckled with blood when he coughed. "Carlisle dislikes tangled ends."

Lily scowled. "What are you discussing?"

James shifted against the constraints and moaned. "He took advantage of me. Like he takes advantage of everyone. I was never included in the overall scheme of things. He gave a quick breath. "I was expendable."

Alejandro and Lily looked at each other.

Carlisle’s faithful enforcer had always been James. One thing would have happened if he had been thrown out.

Carlisle was tying everything up.

He was getting ready for something more significant.

Lily’s heart was racing. "What will he do next?"

James gave a feeble laugh. "You thought I would tell you?"

Alejandro produced a knife and slid it between his fingers with ease. "I believe you’ll change your mind."

James’s eyes darted between them as he swallowed hard. "If I speak, Carlisle will kill me."

Alejandro grinned. "And I might beat him to it if you don’t."

James exhaled nervously. "You’re not getting it. He cannot be stopped.

Lily took a step forward and spoke steadily. "That’s where you’re incorrect."

James laughed, but not with his customary cockiness. "It’s too late already."

Lily’s blood froze. "What is meant by that?"

James took a while to respond. He cocked his head and gave her a pathetic glance. "You’re not really sure, are you?"

Lily’s heart pounded. "James—"

He let out a sigh. "Carlisle is no longer pursuing you."

The earth swayed under her feet.

"What?"

James smiled slightly, knowingly. "He understood that hurting you is insufficient." He moved a little, his eyes growing piercing. "He is pursuing Ethan."

Lily exhaled sharply as her breath left her.

No.

No, no, no.

This cannot be taking place.

She looked across at Alejandro. "We must leave. Right now.

Alejandro acted without hesitation. He nodded once and reached for his revolver. "Let’s go."

Behind them, James’ voice was weak as he coughed. "He’s there already."

Lily felt a knot in her stomach.

She didn’t wait for more information.

She had already started to run.

It seemed like an age to drive to Ethan’s flat.

Lily’s hands shook as she held onto the dashboard, her heart hammering against her ribs. It didn’t feel fast enough, even though Alejandro was driving like a man possessed, swerving through traffic at breakneck speeds.

They needed to arrive.

They were forced to.

Lily hardly waited for the car to completely stop before she flung open the door and ran inside when they screeched to a halt in front of Ethan’s building.

As she ascended, her breath came in desperate gasps as her feet banged against the stairs.

Let him be okay, please.

She froze when she got to his door.

It was open a little.

Her heart fell.

She carefully stepped inside after pushing it open the last distance. It was oddly silent in the apartment. Too silent.

Then she noticed it.

Blood.

Smudged on the ground. On the wall. Here there had been a struggle.

Ethan was also gone.

Lily’s heart was squeezed so hard by a chilly hand that she was unable to breathe.

Her worst nightmare had just materialized.

He had been abducted by Carlisle.

And she wasn’t sure if she could save him this time.