All Chapters of Protecting My Heart: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Finn opened the car door and held his hand out to help Lili get out of the car safely.  He noticed her expression and wasn't sure if she was going to like this place but once she stood in his embrace she said, "Before we go in, let's just stand here for a second.  I want to take this moment in." She was right, this was a big and momentous occasion for them.  They would be living together.  Two strangers, getting to know each other without defined boundaries.  He was scared but tried not to show it.  He wrapped his right arm around her as they looked up at the red brick farmhouse with it's inviting wrap around porch and oak rocking chairs.  It was really nice and  way more than they needed but it was a safe place and they would make it work. "It's nice.  Finn, it's nice." Lili was so excited and her innermost feelings were surprisingly positive and she wasn't afraid of Finn and being alone with him.   H

Around a week later The weather was beautiful and Lili really needed to get out of the house, so they planned to take a short walk and have a picnic underneath the willow tree about a few hundred yards from the house.  The tree was up a slight hill and it would be a great test of her growing strength.  Hand in hand, they walked the short distance and Lili was proud of her increased stamina and how comfortable they were becoming with each other in such a short time.  "How are you managing?" Finn asked as they were just about to the tree.  "All is good, all is good!" Lili stated firmly.  She didn't want him to think she was a cry baby, just because every bone in her body still ached and the headaches were about the same; intense and at times overwhelming her senses.She was determined to get through this without complaining or taking any pain meds, but she did let him bring them along, just in

Anders walked out of the interview room ashen and shaken.  He couldn't believe the stories Rory was babbling about; but he couldn't ignore them either. What was he going to tell Billy? These lies couldn't be true! No way! No how! He walked as slow as possible to Billy's office and he leaned against the door frame and just looked across the room with his eyes trained on the outdoors.   He didn't comprehend what just happened and he dreaded sharing the implications with his boss.   "What? Spit it out, Anders!" Billy ordered. Anders felt his knees giving way and barely made it to the dilapidated chair across from Billy.  "Billy, he leveled some pretty serious allegations against Finn.  He believes Finn forced himself on Rory's sister and that he stole and hid drug money." Anders finally replied.  Anders felt his hands go clammy and he rubbed them on his pants while he waited for Billy to proce

Lili stayed in bed after Finn got up and felt butterflies stirring her emotions as she thought about his touch upon her skin.  They just kissed and cuddled but it sent firecrackers through every fiber of her being. She was on cloud 9! As thoughts flitted through her brain, she blushed when she remembered images of Finn's body. Walking up to the bed, Finn scared her out of her private world when he asked, "I thought you wanted to go out today?" "I do, but I was just thinking," she said, defending herself. "Well, from the looks of it, I think I know what's on your mind," he whispered before kissing her lips.   Trying to hide underneath the covers got her nowhere as his fingers tickled her.    "I am getting up," she squealed until he stopped tormenting her.   "Ok, seriously! We need to get you dressed as I need to stop by Russel's to grab some paperwork and then we can head out for ice cream."

He was out of his league and was sinking faster than a ship out to sea.  Anxiety was taking over as he felt he was failing his friends and community.  He needed to get help and he needed it fast, before someone ended up dead and buried.  What would the community say then? Lili almost died once and if Finn hadn't stepped in when he did, she very well may have.   Now the fire, the shooters.  Evil was coming at them from every corner.  Finn's past was catching up to them along with whatever horrific deeds that Hal took with him to his grave.  Well, they were now haunting the community as well.   Billy and Anders sat in the conference room at the station and waited as a team was heading in from Madison to support their investigation. The detectives specialize in cyber and monetary crimes and hopefully they would be able to trace Hal's enemy, who is torturing poor Lili.   The aroma of a fresh pot