The following day James was very protective of me. He felt like any guy that looked at me wrong was Chris in his eyes. I felt better knowing that James was there to protect me, as well as Kendall, but then again I kinda felt helpless because they wouldn't let me fight my own battles.

"James.." I started as we walked.

"Yeah?"

"You don't have to be so overprotective. Chris is back in St. Louis. He won't harm me here." I said.

"And he won't ever harm you again without me and Kendall beating his frickin face in!" James replied to me.

I sighed. "James it's been a year since that happened. It's fine."

James shook his head. "No. No one hurts my girl."

I smiled at him calling me his girl. I didn't know I could feel this way again about someone. James and I had always had a connection, so I'm guessing that's what carried it into our relationship and it made it stronger. I hadn't talked to Kendall about what he thought after I told him other than his outburst last night.

With Kendall:

Kendall was thinking about what Lilly had told him and James last night and was fuming with anger. "Why would he do that to her? My cousin! Beat her with a belt! I..ugh!" he screamed in frustration. He grabbed his coat, stormed out of the room and left.

Back with James and Lilly:

James and I arrived at the ice cream parlor and I ordered a twist cone with sprinkles and James ordered mint chocolate chip in a cone. We sat down and he held my free hand as I ate my ice cream. We talked about what happened and I told him that it really wasn't necessary to get all worked up about something that happened in the past.

After our ice cream date, we headed back to the Palm Woods. We went up to the apartment and sat out on the couch. Logan came out and looked at us. "Have you guys seen Kendall?"

I shook my head. "No, why?"

"Carlos and I can't find him anywhere. We asked around and no one has seen him. I even called Taylor. She said he wasn't there either." Logan replied.

I frowned and in worry, I called Aunt Emma. I knew she was out for the day, but, maybe he told her where he was going. After three rings, she picked up. "Hello?"

"Aunt Emma? It's Lilly. Have you seen Kendall?"

"I saw him when I left and that was the last time. Why? Is he ok?"

"I don't know. James and I came back and Logan asked us if we had seen him. We haven't. I think he's gone missing." I said, biting my lip.

"Missing? My baby boy! I will be home as soon as possible and we will find him!" and with that, she had hung up.

I looked at the guys and texted him. 'Hey where r u?'

He texted back immediately. 'On my way to Missouri.'

I blinked. "Oh shit." I said quietly.

"What?" James asked me.

"Kendall is on his way to Missouri."

"Missouri? What for?" Logan asked.

James and I looked at each other and he knew. "He's going after Chris." He told me. I nodded.

"Who the heck is Chris?" Logan asked, confused.

"We have to go after him." I told James.

"I'll go. I don't want you getting hurt again." James said, squeezing my hand.

"No. I have to go. I have to face my demons and I can't let Kendall get hurt. He's my cousin." I said, looking at him.

James nodded. "Let's start packing then."

I nodded and got up and headed to my room. I knew this was going to be tough. I didn't want to see Chris again, but, I certainly didn't want Kendall hurt. I grabbed my sports bag from under my bed and threw in a pair or two of jeans, a few tees and camis, a couple hoodies and tennis shoes along with some toiletries. I came out of my room and met James in the living room.

"Ready?" I asked.

"As I'll ever be. How about you?" he asked me.

"Yes. Let me write Aunt Emma a note." I said, grabbing a pen and paper and wrote:

Aunt Emma,

James and I went to Missouri to go after Kendall. He only went there to …well, I don't know why exactly but it seems like he wants to fight someone who I told him about from my past. We'll bring him back safe and sound. I promise. Don't tell my mother I'm coming back. She'll get too worried. We'll be back shortly. Love you,

Lilly.

After that, I took a deep breath and nodded at James. With that, we left and got into the car and drove to Missouri.