Chapter 42

"Miss me?" Lilith purred at the sight of Austin. His eyes sending poisonous daggers her way. She folded her arms across her chest and stood her ground. She was at ease in a world where everyone hated her.

"I'd miss you more if your body was sinking to the bottom of a lake." Austin shoved his hands into his trouser pockets.

Avril averted her gaze. She wasn't sure anything could break through this tension. She was glued to her spot because of it, the feeling of her arms going numb an after thought. She wanted to run away and let them deal with their hostility but she didn't know how to move.

"What's taking you so lo-" Mr Lynne appeared and everyone turned their attention to him. Avril had breathed a sigh of relief, expecting him to be the courteous one and ending the foul mood in the room. She was wrong. His expression mirrored Austin's.

"I didn't think the Manchester's this shameless." Mr. Lynne spoke in a voice that caused Avril to shudder. She'd only ever seen his jolly side, this one chilled her down to her core.

"They know quality when they see it." Lilith retorted shamelessly.

"My comment about arrogance and competence not so much a joke now is it?" Austin scoffed.

Avril saw Mr. Lynne mask his hostility. "If you would follow me." He said curtly.

He saw Avril then. "Ahh, Avril. We didn't expect you home so soon." He paused giving her a generous smile. He'd switched their meeting places to his home last minute to allow himself to see Trish and for Thomas and Avril. It wasn't the conventional thing to do but he knew it was appreciated by the women in his and his son's life.

Avril didn't know if she should respond. She felt a wave of guilt and embarrassment wash through her as she noted Lilith's steeled expression. The ease with which these men alternated characters scared Avril a bit. "Uh.." She cleared her throat.

"A class was cancelled." She responded shakily.

"Well then, you can get some much-deserved rest, I plan a rematch on our chess game when you are rejuvenated." He warned jokingly. Avril smiled in response. She wanted the conversation to come to a halt and it did. He led Lilith away. Avril couldn't help but stare after them long after they were gone. The entire situation causing her to shudder once more. She never wanted to be in a room with all of them ever again.

Avril was unaware that Austin had yet to leave. It was only when he came to stand in front of her that she noticed his presence.

"I hope its not redundant of me to remind you to steer clear of her." Austin said in a clear deep voice.

Avril gazed at him with a clueless expression. It took her a second to grasp what he said, her mind was still so wrapped up in her own thoughts.

"I will. Thomas already told me about what she did." she looked around and whispered.

This caught Austin's attention. "He told you about her?"

"Yes, about her almost causing his father's death." Avril clarified.

Austin peered at her. " Is that all he said?"

"Isn't that all to it?" Avril shot back. What else was she supposed to know?

Austin gazed at her. "No, I mean did he tell you in detail or was it just that line?" He came up with an excuse. Thomas hadn't told Avril that his connection to Lilith was more than business related. That the reason his father was open to attack was due to Tobias pulling Thomas from the mission,going himself to keep an eye on Lilith. He hadn't trusted her but Thomas and his father was at odds then which made Thomas stubborn and oblivious to Lilith's true nature.

"Let me help you with those." Austin pulled the stack of books away from Avril's arms, her skin bruised slightly. It didn't take much force for the books to end up in his arms.

"You didn't have to." She reached back for them.

Austin silenced her. "I will carry them up for you." He needed a reason to change the topic. This was not his place to interfere. Thomas had to be honest and Austin knew how much he cared for Avril so he would give Thomas his time.

They walked up to her old room. She didn't sleep here anymore but it did make for a comfortable study area. Other than that, the bed did still get a lot of use when Thomas decided to harass her during studying time. Not that she was complaining of course.

"Where do you want the books?" He stood outside the door. He never entered a woman's room without her permission.

"Uh, you can place them on the table," she advised, granting his entry. He placed the books down.

"Is everything okay?" He asked as she placed her bag on the floor. She blinked back at him for a second as if she was processing his words.

"Why do you ask?" She questioned finally.

"You seem a bit distracted." Austin searched her face for any signs or clues.

Avril sighed. "Nothing is wrong...well, maybe." She paused considering something. " Its not a problem per se." she was pacing around her room.

Austin occupied a chair. "I am all ears." he crossed his legs, ankle to knee style, and made himself comfortable.

"Its just something that I don't know what to make of." She said after a full minute of rambling.

"Well, maybe I can give some insight." he offered.

She told him about her encounter with Nate that morning.

"Do you want me to pay him a visit?" Austin questioned a huge grin on his face.

Avril couldn't quell the laughter rising in her throat.

" I really needed to laugh. " she said as she took a breath.

"I wasn't kidding." Austin replied.

Avril turned serious now. "I thought you couldn't hurt innocent people."

"Innocence is relative. Besides some rules are meant to be broken." Austin shrugged.

Avril scoffed playfully. "Don't you have to get back to Thomas." she crossed her arms.

This seemed to work. It was as if a light switch turned on in his head and he rose hurriedly from his seat. He apologized for leaving and marched down the stairs.

***

"Nice of you to finally arrive." Thomas called out as Austin re- entered the study.

Austin's lower quirked up in a smug grin.

"Did you brief our newest companion?" Austin questioned.

"Yes." Thomas spoke between gritted teeth. The moment he saw her walk through those doors he had the urge to throw knives at her, but he couldn't change the situation, he would also have to suppress his anger since she would be working closely with him.

"You can leave now." He turned his attention back to her. I will email you our first task. I expect you here at the designated time, we are setting of in two days." Thomas didn't even look at her.

"Wouldn't it be easier to give me the details on everything? Outline at the very least?" She asked.

"I think we prefer you to be on a need to know basis." Austin replied as he held the door open for her.

She didn't dare respond. As she left Austin pushed the door shut.

"You didn't tell Avril the truth about Lilith." Austin didn't beat around the bush.

Thomas held his breath. "You didn't, did you."

"No." Austin paced the room. Running his fingers through his hair.

"Listen what she doesn't know won't affect her." Thomas said. "I told her the important parts."

"You're making a risky move, Thomas." Austin advised.

"I have to say I agree with Austin." Tobias offered.

Thomas waved off the words. Avril didn't need to know about Lilith and and him.

His past only affected him, no one else had a right.

Lilith couldn't help but overhear the conversation. It gave her a start...getting rid of Avril. Thomas would never be able to comprehend his wrong in not divulging his past with Avril. This would make for the perfect plan. Jealousy and doubt and distrust are not things easily repaired but Lilith was sure she could break it.

***
Thomas climbed into bed with Avril, he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her closer to his body. He whispered to her that he would be leaving soon. The very words causing tightness in his chest.

Avril cuddled into him, not ready for him to go again. She had accepted that Lilith would be working with them but she couldn't help but wonder the effect it was having on Thomas. She didn't want him to feel discomfort or to be constantly reminded of the time he almost lost his father. For that she emphasized with him.

She told him about Nate that night. She didn't think it particularly important but to her relationships were about trust and honesty and she wanted to be honest with the man she loved.

She paused as the words fluttered around in her head. She was in love with him. Her eyes drank in every line and curve of his face and later that night of his body.

She didn't know how long it was that she felt this for him, but she was far to deep to mistake it for anything else.

She laughed at the way he warned her to stay away from Nate and any other member of the male species while he was gone.

Her heart overflowed with the way he kissed her and caressed her body as they climbed pleasurable mountains. In the end, he held onto her in a comforting embrace.