24

Lily's POV

I wasted no time in darting away from the aisle. Heart thudding in my chest, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady the erratic organ. I felt as though I was a criminal, running away from justice.

He hadn't seen me, thank God, or I knew he would have come barrelling down the aisle, wanting to talk to me.

Memories of that day at the hospital came pouring back. I remembered the way that Ricardo man had looked at me, his eyes boring into my skin as though he wanted nothing more than to peel my clothes off my body.

At that point and now, I craved so much for Mr Blackwood's protection.

But even then, I remembered how Mr Blackwood had frozen on his feet, as though Ricardo had immobilized him. I remember the fear that had flickered between his eyes on that day at the hospital, and I knew that Mr Blackwood had been genuinely scared.

Perhaps Ricardo was the only man who could scare him so.

Finally, when my heart had stopped beating a tattoo against my ribcage, I let out a loud