[Lilly’s POV]

I can't help but hum as I make my way up the driveway, a melody without a name bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. My body feels electric, alive with Seth's cum still warm inside me. I've never felt so complete, so utterly satisfied.

The tune dies on my lips as I reach our front door. I need to get myself under control. My parents are waiting inside, devastated by Rose's death, frantic about Seth's "disappearance." They can't see me like this, flushed with pleasure, practically glowing with possession.

I take a deep breath and arrange my features into a mask of worry. The frown feels foreign on my face when all I want to do is smile. I smooth my ponytail, making sure every hair is in place before I slide my key into the lock.

I walk through the door. Mom is on me in seconds, her face a storm of worry and anger. She pulls Chris behind her, covering his ears with her hands as if she’s about to say something that will scar him for life.

"What is wrong with you?" she hisses, voice low but intense. "You hear Seth is missing and you just bolt out of here without a word?"

I take in her appearance, the dark circles under her eyes, the slump in her shoulders. Rose's funeral has hollowed her out, left her looking older than I've ever seen her. The grief is still raw, etched into every line on her face.

"I was worried," I say, injecting just the right amount of desperation into my voice. "I had to look for him."

Victoria stands by the fireplace, tumbler of amber liquid clutched in her hand. She takes a long sip before fixing me with that clinical stare I know so well.

"We're concerned someone might be targeting you girls," she says, ice cubes clinking against glass as her hand trembles slightly. "First Rose, now Seth... it's a pattern."

I widen my eyes, my face a perfect mask of shock. "Targeting us? You really think so?"

"It's possible," Victoria continues. "Which is why running off alone was incredibly reckless."

"If my boyfriend is missing, it's my responsibility to find him," I counter, letting my voice crack just enough. "What was I supposed to do? Sit here and wait?"

Mom releases Chris, who immediately scampers over to the couch, but keeps her eyes locked on mine. "Normally, yes, that would be admirable, but…" Her voice catches, tears welling up as she struggles to continue.

Victoria sets her glass down and crosses to me, placing her hands firmly on my shoulders. The smell of expensive scotch clings to her breath as she leans in close.

"We cannot lose you too, Lilly," she says, each word measured and heavy with meaning. "We simply cannot."

I let my lower lip tremble, playing the part of the distraught girlfriend while fighting to keep the satisfaction from showing on my face. Their concern is touching, really. How little they know about what I'm capable of.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, lowering my gaze. "I wasn't thinking clearly. I just... I love him so much."

Mom pulls me into a tight embrace, and I feel her body shaking with silent sobs. Over her shoulder, I see Chris watching us with wide, frightened eyes.

Mom pulls back from our embrace, wiping at her eyes. "I've called Aunty Lara," she says, her voice steadier now.

My stomach sinks. "What's she going to do?" I ask, fighting to keep my voice level. Aunty Lara is the last person I need involved right now.

"She's going to keep us safe," Mom says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "With her connections, she might be able to find Seth."

My stomach plummets. The safe house where I'm keeping Seth is one of Aunty Lara's properties.

"Really?" I manage, trying to sound hopeful rather than annoyed.

Mom nods firmly. "We just got a new kid in this family," she says, glancing at Chris. "There's no chance I'm risking anything else. If the cops are going to be useless, then Lara and her... connections will have to figure this out for us."

I force a smile. "Good thinking."

The anxiety threading through me doesn't match the bliss still lingering in my body. Aunty Lara's involvement could ruin everything.

I wonder if I should just tell her. Aunty Lara has always had a soft spot for Rose and I. She always told us if we wanted to work with her we could. She'd understand why I needed to keep Seth for myself, wouldn't she? After all, we share the same possessive streak.

But the image of Rose's blood pooling on our hardwood floor flashes through my mind. Aunty Lara adored Rose and now she's gone. By my design. I stifle the urge to bite my lip, a nervous tell I can't afford to show.

"When will she be here?" I ask, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

“Tonight.”