“So, did they know about the trafficking, as well as the drugs?” I asked, confused. They had been watching him for eight months and had not stopped him?
Aaron shook his head. “The interest in Rafel, until this point has been purely drug related. If not for you, Lily, we’d have never have known about his other involvements, and chances are his men would’ve disposed of all the girls following his arrest.” He explained. My head throbbed. This was all too much. Abby’s words rang over and over in my head.
Follow your gut.
How the fuck was I supposed to know the right move here?
If I fucked this up, then Steffy was as good as dead, and Dane would never forgive me.
I would never forgive me.
“Lily, this is good news.” Aaron encouraged, offering me a smile. I forced a smile back. If only I felt even half of his confidence.
“I have to go, but I will keep in touch. Keep your cell with you, okay?” Aaron nodded at me. He and Dane walked to the door. Sitting on the couch, I fiddled with my bracelet.
“Are you okay?” Dane said, sitting down next to me, hugging me. I nodded.
“I’m just worried. Nervous.” I swallowed, my throat felt like it was coated with sandpaper.
“So am I, Lil. Whatever happens, thank you for giving me hope again, okay?” His voice broke as tears rolled down his cheeks. I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him close to me.
“I love you, Dane. I just want this to end well for you,” I whispered, my own eyes now filling with tears.
“So long as I’m with you.” He hugged me what felt like hours. Finally, he broke away. “I guess I better call my parents.” He said nervously, knowing he couldn’t put it off any longer. He had wanted to wait until he had something to tell them, and that moment was now.
“What are you going to say to them?” I asked, curious. How exactly do you tell your parents your girlfriend’s dead sister has possibly found their dead daughter alive?
“I have no idea.” He answered, shaking his head. He kissed me on the head, and left for his room.
Kella made coffee as I explained to her and Fraser what Aaron had said. My cell sat on the table in front of me, like a ticking bomb, waiting to go off.
“So what, now you just wait?” Fraser asked, rubbing his head. Nodding, I reached forward, checking for the hundredth time that my cell was on loud.
“Wait for the call.” I agreed. “Dane’s calling his parents now.” I added. Kella breathed in, biting her lip as she set my cup down in front of me.
“I don’t envy that job.” She said. “Imagine finding out after nearly ten years your daughter might actually be alive?” She shook her head. The idea was hard to comprehend.
Dane walked into the room, kicking the book I’d placed to prop the door open out of the way, letting the door swing shut.
“How did it go?” I asked.
He shrugged. “About as well as I expected. They’re shocked, and in denial. It will take a while for them to process it, but they’re on their way here.” He sat down next to me, his arm sneaking around my waist. “I just hope that no matter the outcome, they can get some closure.”
After sitting around all day waiting for that damn phone to ring, when it finally did just after midnight we both just stared at it. Too wound up to sleep, we had both just been dosing on the sofa. Picking up the phone, I was so nervous I struggled to press answer.
“Hello?” I said, holding my breath.
“We have her, Lily. We have her and she’s okay. She’s alive.” Aaron’s said, his voice full of emotion. My hand flew to my mouth as I tried to strangle words out. Dane stared at me, waiting, not moving.
“She’s okay. They have her.” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks. Dane fell backward, his hands on his head, his expression one of complete disbelief.
“She’s alive? Holy shit, Lily, she’s alive?” He wept. He stood up, suddenly unable to sit still. “We have to go to her. I need to see her.”
“Where is she?” I asked Aaron. “Can Dane see her? And his parents?” I asked hopefully.
“She’s at South Mercy Hospital.” Aaron Said. “I’ll be there, just ask for me.”
The drive to the hospital was the most tension filled I had ever seen Dane. He called his parents on the way. Hearing their reaction to finding out their daughter was alive was something I’d never forget. At one point, everyone was crying, even me.