Mesmerized

room.
    Jake realized where she was taking him and said, "I'll take the couch."
    "No way. You are not sleeping on the couch when we have this outrageous suite. We can share a room."
    "I don't think so," her dad said out of nowhere. "He can take the couch. You are not sleeping together under my roof."
    Jake nodded. "That works for me. Believe me I have slept on worst things than a comfortable leather couch. It will be fine."
    Lily pouted and headed back to her room to change. 
     
    They were all sitting in the main room watching the television when there was a knock on the door. Lily watched as her father strode confidently to open the door. 
    In walked an average looking man. He had brown hair, and dark blue eyes. He was about 5'10” and looked to be in great shape. Lily guessed he was in his late thirties. He was obviously very disciplined, because he didn't look twice at her or her mother. 
    "John, come in." Gregory led him to the table and they all followed. "What have you found out?"
    "It doesn't look good Greg. The place is set up like a fortress. We could storm the grounds, but that would take a small army. I would need time to get a team together." He rolled out a large sheet of paper that contained the plans of the house. He wasn't kidding. The place was huge. He pointed out the guard post and the security system. 
    Gregory whistled under his breath as he stared at the plans. Lily got the feeling this was not the first time her father had done something like this.  She realized she didn't really know much about her father other than he was gone a lot on business trips. She pushed the thought to the side. 
    "I can get in there and get the boss out. Just tell me what you want to do." Sandra spoke softly as she placed her hand on her husband’s arm.
    Gregory stared off with his jaw clenched. "I didn't want to get you involved."
    "I am involved like it or not. We’re talking about our daughter. Plus, I have Camille to help me should anything go wrong." 
    "It's the only way and you know it." Camille stared intently at Gregory. 
    "Damn it." He slammed his hand on the table. "If anything happens to you..."
    Lily was surprised that John didn't react to the fact that her mother could get into a secured building. She wondered if he was aware of her mother’s skills. 
    Her father looked at John and nodded. "When Sandra comes out with him she will lead him off the property. You will have men ready to take care of any of the guards that follow."
    "Not a problem." John rolled the paper. "I need twenty-four hours."
    Gregory looked at his watch. “We’ll go tomorrow at nightfall.” 
    John waked out without saying good-bye to any of them. He was a very strange man. 
    "Dad, how do you know that man?"
    "He's a business associate."
    Lily was skeptical but she could tell she shouldn't press the issue. "What are Jake and I going to do?"
    "You'll be with me, so I know you are safe." 
     

Chapter Seventeen
     
     
     
    "I need to find an herbal shop," Camille said. 
    "Well, let’s go." Sandra leaned over and kissed her husband. "We'll be back tonight."
    "Be careful."
    "Always."
    The door shut softly behind them. The room always felt emptier when her mother left; she was so full of life. 
    "Looks like it's just us." Lily looked over at her dad and Jake.
    "You two are on your own. I have things to do." He walked towards the door and turned back. His eyes met Jake’s. "Don't even think of doing anything with my daughter."
    "No, sir." 
    The door closed, and Jake and Lily looked at each other. Lily smiled. “So? What do you want to do?”
    Jake laughed. “Not sure there is much we could do without getting in trouble.”
    Lily ran the tips of her fingers up and down Jake’s arm. “I know what I’d like to do with you.”
    Jake felt his cheeks burning. “I’d like that too, but we can’t. Maybe we could watch a movie?”
    “Humph.” Lily pouted. She grabbed the remote and turned the TV on. Switching through channel after channel, she yawned. “Nothing much on.”
    Jake tried to concentrate on the channel Lily had left it on, but found it difficult with Lily’s hands roaming all over the place. He chuckled to himself. It was usually the guy acting this way and the girl stopping him, but not in their case. 
    He took her hand in his. "You need to stop."
    “You’re no fun.” She stuck out her lower lip. 
    “I don’t need your dad throwing me out. Your family is helping me and I need to respect their