Page 53 of Keeping Lilith
“Very good, Stella. Two days from now, you will prove your loyalty to me and will be greatly rewarded.”
“Thank you, Favorable Micah,” Stella returned, keeping her eyes downcast.
It was a little too late. Micah couldn’t wait to parade Lilith in front of Stella’s face. Maybe he’d force Stella to watch him and Lilith one time. Show her she hadn’t been as important to him as she’d thought. He would ponder it before deciding what he’d do. He patted Stella on the head. “You may prepare yourself. I’ll be there shortly.”
Stella left and Micah looked out the window of the house Richard had commandeered for them. A place that had served a purpose, but the new house was much better, and once he got there with Lilith, it would be even better.
Everything was coming together. The messages he’d been receiving confirmed he was doing everything correctly. Soon, he would be revered and worshipped.
The way he deserved to be.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The last weekhad been amazing, and Lilith couldn’t believe how her life had turned around from where it had been two months ago. Now she had the freedom to do what she wanted, wear what she wanted, and be with the man she wanted.
It was as though her luck was finally turning around. She had an interview today with an organization that tended to the maintenance of The Wissner Botanical Gardens. The history of how the gardens came to be was fascinating, and Lilith was excited. The reason she’d gotten the job interview was because Ox from Alliez had provided security for a party being held there and had gotten talking to the director of the foundation, and found out that one of their grounds staff had left. Fate had opened a door for Lilith, and she planned to walk through it.
“You ready?” Julian asked as he came into the kitchen where she’d been standing, looking out at the garden.
“As I’ll ever be.” She smoothed a hand down the black pencil skirt she wore. She’d paired it with an emerald green blouse, which complimented her black hair, and made her eyes stand out. Cass had helped her purchase the items, and she was forever grateful for her friend.
“You look beautiful, Lil. You’re going to knock their socks off.” Julian pressed a kiss to her cheek. Even that slightest touch had desire burning through her. It seemed the more time they spent together, the more her feelings for him grew.
She believed herself to be in love with him, but seeing as she’d never experienced the emotion, she didn’t know if what she was feeling every time she saw him was that. There was still a part of her that didn’t trust herself, but today she would not think about it. “I hope so. I know I don’t have any real experience, but I want to learn. I know how to weed, and if that’s all they want me to do, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Just be yourself. Tell them what you’ve done. How you maintained the gardens at The Hopeful Sunshine, and that what you grew fed a lot of people.”
“I’m not sure mentioning I was part of a cult is a good thing.” God, what would the person interviewing her think if she said that? Would they think she was gullible and stupid? “No, I won’t say that. I’ll just say I helped at a market garden or something.”
Julian grabbed both her hands, squeezing them lightly. “If they judge you for something your parents did, or for believing you were going to do something better, then they’re fools.”
“I hope you’re right,” she murmured, a hand going to her stomach to quell her swirling nerves. “I think we should go now.”
Julian was going to drive her to the location. He’d offered to wait, but she told him he needed to get to his job. He’d protested, and only agreed when she told him she’d give Cass a call when she’d finished so that the other woman could arrange for one of the guys from Alliez to take her home. She thought it was overkill, but if it meant that Julian wouldn’t be stressed or worried about her, then she could give him this one concession.
He had said nothing, but she knew there was another operation in the works. This time, if he went away with the team,she’d have something to keep occupied—that is, if she got the job.
“Have you got everything?” he asked.
Lilith picked up her bag and checked the contents. Her phone was in there, along with her wallet, some tissues, lipstick, and a comb. “Yep.”
“You’ve forgotten something,” he said and held up his hand where a delicate chain hung from his index finger—her tracker necklace.
“Oh, I didn’t think I needed to wear that, seeing as you knew where I was, and that someone from Alliez is picking me up.”
“Doesn’t matter. I need you to wear this always. Please. For me?” The desperate way he was almost pleading with her to wear it reinforced that he was working on something and it wasn’t nice.
“Sure. Can you put it on for me?” She turned and lifted her hair away. A second later, his fingers brushed the back of her neck as he did the secured the chain.
“Thank you,” he said as he kissed the spot his fingers had brushed.
Lilith turned in his arms and cupped his cheek. “I can tell something’s troubling you. And I know you can’t tell me. But know that I’m here for you.”
“I know, Lil.” He gave her a short kiss, but one full of passion before he stepped back. “Okay, let’s go get you this job.”
The drive was over quickly, and Lilith wished she had a little longer to get herself ready for the job. But even if she’d had another ten minutes, she’d still be as nervous. “I guess I should go in?” she said after sitting in the car for a full five minutes after Julian had killed the engine.
“Yes, you should, and remember, be yourself. They’ll love you. I know it.”