Chapter 137

Carson pulled up in front of her within minutes, his sleek black car rolling to a stop. He got out quickly and opened the passenger door for her. "Get in," he said simply. Lily hesitated, glaring at him, but then she slid inside anyway. She didn't want to cause a scene out on the street. Carson circled the car and got into the driver's seat. For a moment, silence filled the car. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine. Carson glanced at her. "Lily..." "Don't," she cut him off, her voice sharp. He clenched his jaw, but he tried again. "I didn't mean to upset you. I was only..." "Only what?" Lily snapped, turning to face him fully. Her eyes were burning, her hands clenched in her lap. "Only standing there and declaring in front of everyone that I'm your woman? Who gave you that right, Carson?" His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, but his voice stayed calm. "I was protecting you." "Protecting me?" She let out a bitter laugh. "You call that protecting? Do you know how hum