Tiny's Sweet Obsession

48: Reality Check

Tiny POV

Lily threw herself into my arms, and I held onto her, afraid if I let go, I would lose my Sunshine for good. Tears fell from my eyes as I buried my head in her neck, not wanting her to see. Lily squeezed my neck harder, assuring me she was right here, with me.

"You came for me," Lily whispered.

"I will always come for you. We never stopped looking for you, Sunshine," I whispered between the tears.

I continued to hold Lily as Killer and Tiger talked to the waitress, Ava. Tiger thanked her for taking in Lily without question.

"Lily isn't the first woman to come through our doors needing help, and I never turn away a woman in need," Ava assured.

Killer and Tiger looked at one another and knew that Ava helps trafficked women, just as we do, but on a smaller scale. This woman didn't have a group, the finances, or resources to help women long term. However, I knew Tiger wouldn't let her good deeds go unnoticed or untapped.

"Thank you for everything you do. The Phoenix Riders help women just as you do, and I want you to know that if there is anything you need, we are more than happy to help," Tiger said, smiling.

Killer handed Ava a large envelope, and she looked shocked at its contents. Ava tried to say something, but Killer held up his hands and backed away, smiling.

Lily pulled away and wiped away the last of my tears before gently kissing my cheek. It was quick, but it gave me all the assurance I needed to know that my Sunshine is strong and still wants me.

Before Lily could overthink, I placed gentle kisses all over her face hoping it wouldn't push her away. I wanted, no, needed Lily to understand how in love I was with her and that I didn't want anyone but her. She leaned into me, allowing her body to relax into mine. When I pulled away, Lily's blush crept up her neck to her cheeks, and I couldn't help but smile.

Tiger cleared her throat, and I set Lily down but held her tightly against me as we talked to the others.

"I'm glad your friends found you," Ava said to Lily.

"Thank you for everything," Lily smiled.

"Thank you," I said to Ava, holding out my hand, which she took. Ava gave me a look of understanding and warning to not treat Lily like the last man did.

Outside the diner, we got together to make a plan. Hawk typed away on his tablet before looking at Lily.

"I hate to ask you this Lily, but-"

"Not now," I growled, cutting him off.

I stared at Hawk, daring him to finish the sentence. Hawk knows now is not the time or place to ask Lily about the men. I'm sure he needs more information, but I will not put Lily through that unless she wants to and is ready.

"Let's get Lily to the hotel. I'm sure she's ready for some quiet and relaxing," Tiger said, cutting the tension. "Killer and Ace, you have a plane to catch."

Killer and Ace hugged and kissed Tiger goodbye before we loaded into our separate SUVs. We drove to the hotel in silence, and I noticed Lily's eyes getting heavy. I pulled her into my lap, wrapped my arms around her, and kissed the top of her head, hoping she felt safe enough to sleep.

I got you, Sunshine. I will chase away all your demons if you let me.

*****

The hotel was in downtown Atlanta and, if I had to guess, one of the most expensive ones in the state. Knowing Hawk and the others, we would never put the girls up in a place without top-of-the-line security and comfort. While Gears and Hawk checked in, the girls and I sat in the spacious seating area, and I watched Lily take in our surroundings.

Lily stared in awe of her surroundings, but I kept my eyes on her. It was like watching a sunset for the first time. Perfect.

Hawk and Gears returned with room keys and said we would be on the top floor. Shocking. Lily's blue eyes stared at me in shock, and I winked at her, earning a smile. I took her hand and took the elevator to the top floor.

The entire floor contained two rooms. Our room was one-half of the entire side of the hotel. It had floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked downtown. Lily let go of my hand and explored further into the room, staring out the windows.

"Alright, well, I'm going to set up shop in the office. I'll sleep on the couch tonight if I have time," Hawk said, disappearing down a hall.

"I'll take the other couch," Gears commented, nodding to a large sectional. "Tiger, Lily, you can take whatever bedrooms you want."

Tiger plopped down on the couch, running her hands over her face. "I don't care what room I'm in, but if someone doesn't feed me soon..." she trailed off, looking at the guys.

"On it!" Gears blurted out, pulling out his phone, and Lily laughed.

Walking up behind Lily, I pulled her into me and kissed her head. Nuzzling her neck, I asked, "Do you want to lay down or eat? Whatever you want to do, we will."

"Um, I think - can we talk, maybe?" she whispered. "I want to get this over with."

I pulled away, staring into her beautiful blue eyes, unsure if now was the best time. "Lily, you don't have to. We can talk about it when you are ready, or not at all," I assured her.

"No, I want to," she firmly stated.

I nodded and pulled out my phone to text Hawk, telling him Lily was ready to talk.

Gears looked up from his phone. "Alright, I ordered the food, and it will be here in thirty minutes. Please tell me you can hold on that long," he pleaded with Tiger.

"Fine," she mumbled as Hawk reappeared with his tablet.

Once everyone sat on the couches, I cleared my throat and said, "Lily wants to talk about what happened. But she will only talk about what she wants and can stop whenever. No questions asked. Understood?"

Everyone nodded, and I smiled, taking Lily's hand. I want her to know she is safe and no one here will push her beyond what she is comfortable sharing. However, I could tell Lily was nervous to talk, and I wished I could help her. But we all know people have to process their trauma in their own way and in their own time. No one else can do it for them.

"I guess I should start from the beginning. The night you went out," Lily said, looking at me. "Wherever you went, I found a phone under the mattress. It had several texts saying if I didn't go back to Sean, they would kill you."

"We know. Hawk traced the phone back to the Disciples, and we realized where you went that night," I mumbled.

It is the night I fucked everything up. The night I left Lily with her abuser.