This chapter is rated M for sexual content. So review, fav, and follow! Thanks so much for reading!

Chapter 41: Good Boys

Lilly, in a white nightshift, sat on the bed holding her knees to her chest. The boys were on their bear skinned rug on the floor, asleep. It was the middle of the night but Arthur hadn't come in yet. Lilly didn't think he would. She'd been sitting up thinking he would never want her again after what she did. All she wanted right now was for Arthur hold her, kiss her, tell her everything would be fine. But she didn't see how any of it would be fine again. Lilly sighed and shut off the lantern. She had to try and sleep. There was no point staying up all night worrying about it. Lilly laid down on her side and pulled a blanket on top of her. She shut her eyes. Lilly laid there for a long time, but could not sleep. She was unaware of how much time had passed when she heard Arthur come in. Lilly listened as he moved around, declothed, sat on the bed, and pulled the blanket over him. Lilly didn't move, didn't make a noise. She heard Arthur let out a big sigh. Lilly knew he wanted to ask about what happened. Lilly didn't know how she could talk about it. Any of it. Why couldn't he understand how hard this was for her?

"Are you awake, Lillian?" he asked.

Lilly took a moment before she responded. "Yes."

"I take it you don't want to talk about what happened tonight? About you pullin' a gun on me and Dutch? About what you did to Mrs. Braithwaite?"

Lilly chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, I'm glad those are the things on your mind."

Arthur groaned. "Well, what else would be?"

Lilly sat up, turned on the lantern, and looked at him. "How about the fact that I was burned alive at the god damn stake and ended up...ascendin', whatever the fuck that means? And that I prevented Sean's death from happening? Those don't seem like more pressin' topics for you?"

Arthur sat up and glared at her. "Oh, I'm sorry, Wolf Witch. How thoughtless of me. I didn't realize threatenin' to kill me and Dutch was such a trivial issue!"

"I didn't threaten tah kill ya, I threatened tah shoot ya! And don't ever call me that again, ya prick!"

"That's mild compared to what I wanna call you, Lillian!"

"Then call me anythin' but that, Arthur!"

"Psycho!"

"Arsehole!"

"Bitch!"

"Twat!" Brian and James barked at them both. They pawed both the fighting humans. Lilly sighed and patted Brian. "Sorry, boys."

Arthur got a lick from James and chuckled. "You're a good boy."

"I don't think they like us fightin'."

"I don't like us fightin', neither."

Lilly gave Brian a kiss on the muzzle. "Look, Arthur, I...there's just things you don't know about me, about my childhood. I've told you this."

"Can you tell me a small part, Lilly? You been doin' that a little bit."

"I dunno if I can about this."

"Oh Jesus Christ, Lillian! Come on! Give me somethin'!"

"If yer just gonna yell at me," she growled, looking for clean clothes, "then I ain't gonna tell ya."

Arthur got up and grabbed her arm. "Don't you dare walk out on me, Lillian Rose Morgan!"

"Then stop fuckin' yellin' at me!" she snapped, tears in her eyes. "If ya knew why this was so hard fer me, ya wouldna be such a fuckin' dick about it!"

Arthur huffed. "Boys, out." Brian and James padded our of the tent.

"Nice to know ya ain't bothered by me dyin' a third time!" Lilly snapped, tryin' to derail him from the subject she didn't want to discuss.

"Don't start that shit with me! You know damn well it bothered me!"

"Then act like it, ya unfeelin' fuck!"

Arthur picked her up and kissed her. Lilly was still mad but she grabbed him anyway. He tossed her on the bed and crawled on top of her. Arthur resumed kissing his wife and Lilly kissed her husband back as Arthur spread her legs open. "Unfeelin' fuck? I'll show you how unfeelin' I am," he entered her and pinned her arms above her head. "You're a pain in the ass!"

"So are you!" Lilly shouted.

Arthur began thrusting into her and squeezed her breast. "You god damn...god damn...god dammit, woman! You feel so good!" He lifted her shift, bent down and suckled her nipple.

Lilly bent her head back and put her legs around his waist. "Ya feckin'...as ucht Dé, Arthur, deeper!" she gasped.

Arthur went to her other nipple and put his hand on her hip. He slammed into her deeper and his pace increased. "Fuuuuck, Lillian!" he growled.

"God, Arthur, don't ya know how much I need ya?" she moaned out. "How much I love ya? I can't live without ya!" Lilly rolled him over on his back, sat up, and straddled him, grinding and pushing herself up and down on him.

Arthur put both his palms on her hips and looked up at her. "And you think I could live without you?" he sat up, kissed her, took her night dress off, and held her. "Never."

Lilly hugged him to her chest, still pivoting her hips. She put on hand behind Arthur's head and the other on his cheek, kissing him hard. Arthur put both hands in her hair. They breathed through their noses as they kept their lips locked upon each other. Lilly hastened her movements, and eventually, she felt an orgasm approach. It washed over her and she moaned in Arthur's mouth. He soon came after with a strained groan. They both took shallow, rapid breaths as sweat clung to their skin.

"I'm sorry, Arthur," she whispered, putting her forehead to his. "I'm so sorry."

"Forgiven. I'm sure you are sorry, Mrs. Morgan," he kissed her chin. "But not as sorry as you will be."

Lilly glanced down at him. "What?"

He reached over, turned out the light, and directed Lilly onto her back. "Three weeks, woman. I ain't done with you yet."

The next morning, Hosea, John, Dutch, Lilly, and Arthur were gathered around a table discussing the situation with Jack. Lilly was surprised she was allowed in on it until Dutch mentioned he couldn't find a more fierce and capable person than she to get Jack safely returned to Abigail. And Lilly was more than ecstatic about the compliment.

"It's gonna work out, John," Hosea said. "It's gonna work out, listen to Dutch."

"I don't expect you to understand this but I have never been more proud of you than I am right now, brother," said Dutch. "You're doin' the right thing."

"If I don't get that boy back safe," John started to say, "I'm...she...she'll kill us all."

"I know, but lookin' at this logically, that boy is fine. They took him to scare us. Nobody takes a boy to harm him."

"He's right, John," Hosea said.

"What do you think, Lilly? What kind of reputation does this Bronte fellow have?"

Lilly glanced at Arthur, then at John. She didn't want to scare the man, but she had to say something. She looked back at Dutch. "He's a mob boss. Owns most of Saint Denis, from what I remember. Has his hand in almost everyone's pockets. The police, the mayor, the bank...he's got a lot of boys on the streets as his eyes and ears. Nothin' happens in Saint Denis without that fucker knowin', so he'll know we're comin'. And..." Lilly rubbed her face and leaned back.

"And?"

"There were...rumors. He takes in homeless and orphaned children all the time. Clothes them, feeds them, spoils them...but I ain't heard anythin' bad happenin' to boys," Lilly massaged her temples.

The men glanced at each other. "But you heard things about girls he took in?"

Lilly's fist tightened under the table. How could she say this without bursting into tears? "Nothin' concrete, but...let's just say it was rumored he had an 'appetite' for a little girl. Just the one."

"How little?"

"As far as I know, she was..." Lilly shut her eyes. She hated this, but she wasn't really lying. She was omitting some truths. "...she was 7-years-old."

"Jesus Christ," Arthur said. "And that's why you...burned Mrs. Braithwaite?"

"Yes," Lilly said.

"Do you know anythin' else, Lilly?" Hosea asked.

Lilly scowled and put her back to them, crossing her arms. "Yes."

"What?"

She should tell them. There was no getting around it, but if they knew, they'd never let her go near the place. Not with the bounty on her. No, she had to save Jack first and while she trusted her family, she most certainly didn't trust Bronte. Telling them Angelo Bronte was "Papa" would have to wait. She sighed casually. "He's Italian. That's all I know," she lied. Lilly turned back around and glanced at Arthur. His looked furious.

"And you say you don't know him," Arthur pried.

Lilly's jaw tightened then relaxed. "Never met the man." Her blue eyes were still glued to Arthur. Why was he so mad? Arthur's eyes were making her feel uneasy. She looked at John. "Anyway, even if the rumor is true, Jack isn't in any real danger. But I don't want to waste any time gettin' him back."

"So how do we find him?" John asked.

"Well," Lilly chuckled. "Lucky for you, I know where the man lives."

"You do?"

"Of course. All the kids knew where he lived. Big old house. Guarded, and with walls. But, even if you show up unannounced, he'll talk to you, I'm sure."

"Well," Dutch slapped his hand on the table and got up. "You're gonna come with us. Make the introductions as a former citizen of Saint Denis."

Lilly nodded. She'd have to brave the lion's den to get to her nephew and she had no qualms about that. She looked down at her belly. She'd have to hide it. "Just don't mention my pregnancy."

"Why on earth would I do that?"

"In case you have to engage in polite conversation with the man."

"Hey, Dutch!" Lenny shouted. "We got a problem!"

"Not a problem," Agent Milton said as he strolled into their camp with Agent Ross behind him. "Visitors. A solution. Good day, fine people. Mr. Van der Linde. Mr. Matthews, I presume," Milton looked at John. "And who are you?"

John stood up. "Rip Van Winkle," he replied. Lilly held back a giggle.

"Huh...good day, sir. Agent Milton, Pinkerton Detective Agency. Agent Ross," the man pointed back to his associate. Arthur strolled up to the agent. "Ah, Mr. Morgan. Nice to see you again. And, oh," Mr. Milton glanced over at Lilly. "Mrs. Morgan. Nice to see you too."

Lilly grunted, went around the table, and walked up to stand next to Arthur. "Shame I canna say the same."

"Well, isn't that cute?" Milton laughed.

"And to what do we owe the pleasure?" Dutch asked from behind the Morgans. "Agent Moron?"

"I don't know if you're aware, but this," Agent Milton spoke. "This is a civilized land now. We didn't kill all them savages only to allow the likes of you to act like human dignity and basic decency was outmoded or not yet invented. This thing...it's done."

"This place...ain't no such thing as civilized," Dutch said angrily, walking towards Milton. "It's man, so in love with greed, he has forgotten himself and only found appetites."

"And as a consequence that lets you take what you please, kill whom you please, and hang the rest of us? Who made you the messiah to these lost souls you've led so horribly astray?"

"I'm nothin' but a seeker, Mr. Milton."

"You ain't much of anythin' more than a killer, Mr. Van der Linde. But I came to make a deal. It's time. You come with me," Mr. Milton said, looking around at the crowd of gang members encircling him. "And I give the rest of ya three days to run off, disappear, and go and live like human beings someplace else."

"You came for me?" Dutch asked. "Risked life and limb in this den of lowlifes and murderers so that they might live and," Dutch looked at Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. "Love?" Dutch glanced back at the agent. "Ain't that fine."

Milton chuckled. "I don't wanna kill all these folk, Dutch. Just you. But I also came for Lilly."

"Oh, for the price on her head?"

"Yes. It seems Leviticus Cornwall reposted a bounty and wants her for two hundred thousand dollars."

Dutch looked at Lilly, as did the rest of the group. "Lillian, why did your Uncle Levi repost a bounty on you?"

Lilly gulped and clung to Arthur. If she went with Papa, she'd be his prisoner. If she went with Leviticus, she'd die. Decisions, decisions. But how to explain to Dutch about the bounty without actually explaining why? That was the first matter to attend to. "Well, um...I-"

Arthur sighed. "He wants to kill her."

Dutch blinked. "He wants to kill you for two hundred thousand dollars. What in the hell?"

Agent Milton sighed. "Mrs. Morgan, you-"

"If I could persuade you to bring me to Papa instead of Leviticus, I'll go."

Everyone armed their guns. "I think your friends should leave now, Lilly," Miss Grimshaw said.

Lilly looked around at everyone. Even with the insane amount of money, they weren't willing to turn her in. It warmed her heart. Arthur stood in front of Lilly. "You won't be takin' her from us. Not ever."

Dutch and the rest crowded in front of Lilly and she covered her mouth. The devotion to protect her made her want to cry. Lilly noticed Brian and James padding up behind the agents and she smiled. "Oh booooys," she spoke in a singing kind of voice. "Ya remember these gentlemen, don't you?"

Brian and James growled and showed their fangs to the men as the agents turned around. "Oh my God," Ross said.

Lilly giggled. "Now, boys, don't be so rude," she brushed past the crowd and the agents to the wolves. "They havena done nothin' bad...yet."

Brian snapped his chops at the two agents. James just snarled. "You really are a witch, ain't you?" Mr. Milton said.

"Oh, ya heard about that, I see," she mocked, standing in between the boys and facing the agents. "And to think...ya walked in here knowin' that."

"You're makin' a big mistake. All of you."

Dutch chuckled. "Yeah. Dreadful," Dutch said sarcastically. "We have got somethin'. Somethin' to live and die for. How awful for us, Mr. Milton. Stop following us...we'll be gone soon."

Mr. Milton turned around. "I'm afraid I can't-"

The boys barked and jumped forward a bit. Mr. Milton jerked back around. "Oh, sorry," Lilly chuckled. "Didn't ya know ya ain't supposed tah turn yer back on a wolf?" Lilly sighed. "Okay boys, yer scarin' our guests. Relax." The boys sat down and licked their chops. "You was sayin' sir?"

Mr. Milton cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I can't stop followin' you, and when I return I'll be with fifty men. Run away from this place, ya fools! Run!"

"Oh, Mr. Milton," Lilly shook her head with a sigh. "I think you twos should be the ones runnin'. Boys, game faces, please," she rubbed her nails on her black pants, then looked at her fingers with some feigned interest.

The boys resumed their aggressive behavior. The agents backed up. "Lillian," Dutch chuckled. "I think you're enjoyin' this a little too much."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, fine," Lilly pouted, throwing her hands up. "Boys, back up." Brian and James backed up and so did Lilly. She held out a hand and swung it sideways to the trail. "There's the door, gentlemen. So tah speak." Mr. Milton and Mr. Ross sidestepped away from the wolves and headed toward the trail. When they were far enough to her satisfaction, Lilly smirked. "Chase," she whispered.

Brian and James went charging after the men. The agents turned and went running. Just before the men disappeared, Lilly whistled for the wolves to return. They did and trotted up to her. Lilly gave both Brian and James big pieces of meat. "Good boys."

Everyone burst into hysterics. Some of them even fell to the ground. "Lilly!" Hosea laughed. "Wolf trainer, gunslinger, hunter, prankster, tree climber, master of stealth...is there anythin' you can't do?"

Lilly chuckled and walked up to Mr. Morgan. "I can't pee standin' up," she replied, giving her husband a kiss on the cheek.

More laughter burst from the gang members. Arthur put an arm around his wife with a grin. "What now?" he asked Dutch.

"We get outta here," Dutch replied. "And quick. Any ideas?"

"Lenny and I know a place," Lilly glanced to Lenny. "Don't we?"

"We do?" Lenny asked.

"Sure we do! Shady Belle, where we got all them beautiful, new guns!"

Lenny smiled and pointed at her. "Oh yeah! Yeah, it's a big house just outside Saint Denis. Very secluded, Dutch. Swampy, but secluded."

"Lilly, Arthur," Dutch addressed the couple. "You two ride out and make sure no one else has moved in. Lenny, you go follow those fools outta here, make sure that they leave. And John, we'll get Jack back and we'll get gone. Rest of you get packin'!"

Arthur and Lilly went over to their horses. "Lilly," he said. "We need to have a discussion."

"About what? Can't it wait?" Lilly asked.

"No. We'll talk on the way but, please don't...don't get angry and run off."

Lilly sighed. "Yes, dear." She climbed up onto Doc. "Come on, boys!" Brian and James went to her and the couple headed out of camp. "Just follow me, Mr. Morgan. I know the way," Lilly said as they rode along with the two pups.

"Lillian," Arthur said. "Are you sure you don't know this Bronte feller?"

"I'm sure. Why?"

"I don't believe you."

Lilly stopped Doc and Arthur stopped Tessa. "I dunna bloody care if ya believe me or not, Morgan. That's me story and I'm standin' by it."

"And what about this rumor? About him bein' a child molester?"

"Just a rumor I heard, as I said."

Arthur moved closer to her. "You're lyin' to me, Lillian! I know you are!"

"Even if I was lyin', it's none of yer god damn business! Things that happened before I met ya ain't anyone's god damn business but me own!"

"And Sean's business. You and him knew each other as kids. He knows somethin'. Now what is it?"

Lilly screeched at Arthur. "Why do ya need tah know?! It ain't got nothin' tah do with ya! None of it does!"

Arthur sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lilly, but I think you're gonna have to do better than that."

Lilly glared at him. "That's all there is tah the story, Arthur. Now let's fuckin' go so we can clear out Shady Belle and get people moved the fuck in!" Lilly took off on Doc.

Arthur followed but they didn't talk the rest of the way. And when they arrived at Shady Belle, Lilly and Arthur cleared out the occupiers along with Brian and James. The fight was short. The currently unhappy couple did not speak to each other except when necessary as they dumped some of the bodies into the swamp.

"Go meet up with everyone else, Arthur," Lilly said. "I'll take care of the rest of the bodies."

Arthur went to his horse, mounted up, and left. Lilly looted and dumped the rest of the bodies, walked inside the house, sat down, and began crying. And she wept for a few minutes before Lilly wiped her tears and let out a big puff of air. Brian and James nuzzled her and she hugged Brian. She started crying again and dug her face into his fur. "Oh, deartháir mór. I miss you so much. I wish you were here with me." [big brother.]

Brian made a soft groan and licked her hand. Lilly sniffled and shut her eyes. She felt a tugging on her hair and she lifted her head. Brian was...holding a lock of her hair in his mouth. Lilly scrunched her face at him and pushed him away. "What the hell, Brian? Ya got drool all over me hair! Are ya a wolf or a do-"

Brian pawed her knee. Lilly stared at him wide eyed. No. No. There was no way. Not exactly like her big brother used to do, but this wolf did a very similar gesture that her brother would do. Lilly stood up and backed away. There was no way. It was impossible.

"...Deartháir mór?" she asked out loud. Brian whined and pawed at the air in her direction. Lilly tilted her head. Could it be possible? Maybe if she...she had to be sure. "Deartháir mór? Are you my brother?"

Brian stood up and turned all the way around in a circle. Lilly covered her mouth and nose with a big gasp. Lilly looked at James. "Deartháir beag?" James also pawed the air in her direction. [Little brother?]

Lilly went to the floor and began crying hysterically, holding her palm to her lips. The Morrigan told Lilly that Brian and James were with her and not in Tír na nÓg. Was this what she meant? "Oh my God! Oh my Go-ha-ha-ha-hawd!" she sobbed. "Oh my God! Mo dheartháireacha! Come here! Oh my God!" [My brothers!]

Brian and James went to her and they both licked her face repeatedly. Lilly held them both, still bawling her eyes out from shock and amazement. It was impossible. But...she had to believe it. Brian and James were literally her brothers, back from the dead in the form of wolves. lt was impossible. But Lilly being brought back from the dead was also impossible. Lilly becoming an immortal was impossible. How was this any different? Lilly heard people outside. It had to be the gang.

"Oh my God, I have to tell Arthur! Stay!" Lilly got up and ran outside. "Arthur!" she shouted excitedly! "Arthur! I got somethin' tah tell ya!" She spotted him and ran to him with a smile, but the look on his face made her stop and her smile faded. "Arthur, what's wrong?"

Arthur walked up to her. "You know what's wrong," he growled. "You lyin' to me about so many god damn things. So..." he looked around. "Until I know everythin', I ain't stayin' in our tent. I'm stayin' in the house."

Lilly's jaw dropped. "You're...you're what?"

"I said I ain't stayin' with you until I know everythin'. And you will tell me everythin'. You're goin' to fix all these lies, Lillian, and when you do...I don't even know where we'll stand."

Lilly shuddered. "You're...you're talkin' about leavin' me? Are you fuckin' kiddin' me?"

"I don't know! I...just don't know. Right now, we need to get Jack. But afterwards, we are havin' words," Arthur pointed a finger at her. "And I might move back in, I might not. Until you tell me everythin', consider us separated." Arthur walked away from her.

Lilly's heart sank. "But what about the baby?!" She ran after him. "You're goin' tah leave me and the baby?"

"I said I don't know! Now stop followin' me, false wife!"

Lilly stopped dead in her tracks. That was the most unfair thing he could ever do to her. To them. It's not like Lilly didn't want to tell him everything. She just...couldn't. It was too difficult for her to talk about. But talking about leaving her, possibly, and considering them estranged for the time being...for the first time, Lilly regretted being with Arthur. She regretted marrying him. She regretted letting him be her first...everything. And now she was really, really, really furious with him. She would go as far to say that she hated him.

John and Dutch approached her. "Hey, we're headin' to Saint Denis, so...hey, are you alright, Lilly?" John asked.

Lilly fluttered her eyes a bit and sighed, making a blank expression. "I'm fine. I'll mount up." And Lilly whistled for her brothers. They came bounding out of the house.

Lilly got on Doc and waited for John, Dutch, and...Arthur. Sean came up to her on Ennis. "Hey, what's wrong, love?"

Lilly's lip trembled. "Arthur...he...just left me...I think. Because I been lyin' to him and he doesn't believe I told him everythin' there is to know about my connection to Bronte."

"He what? Have ya said anythin' more to him about things?"

"No. How can I?"

"Well, that's real shitty of him. You want me to talk to him?"

"Nope. Because I certainly ain't tellin' him any more shit now since he wants to play games. He's stayin' in the house. He left our...me fuckin' bed. And he's goin' to regret it. Susan?" Lilly asked as she went by. "My tent. I'm assuming Arthur gave you...instructions?"

"Yes, he did," Miss Grimshaw sighed. "Where would you like yours, honey?"

"In the way back, I guess. As far away from my stupid husband as you can possibly put it."

Miss Grimshaw laughed. "You got it, Lilly."

Dutch, John, and Arthur came strolling up. Lilly wouldn't even look at Arthur. They walked past her and she sighed. "Lilly," Sean said. "Do ya want me to come with for support?"

"I'll be fine, deartháir. Thanks but...I'll be fine. Besides, you need to steer clear of Bronte. I doubt he's forgotten ya or what ya did to get me out of Saint Denis," she whispered.

Sean put a hand on Lilly's hand. "Alright, but just know I'm here for ya, deirfiúr. Unlike that piece of shite husband of yours," Sean whispered back.

Lilly chuckled. "Thanks."

"Lilly. You ready to go?" Dutch asked.

Lilly guided Doc to turn around and looked at Dutch and John. But not Arthur. "Yep. All set."

Dutch looked at Arthur, then back at her. "Is there somethin' goin' on between you two?"

Arthur sighed. "Well, we-"

"Nope," Lilly interrupted. "Not a damn thing." She walked Doc past them, but as she passed Arthur, she said, "Ba mhaith leat go mbeimid scartha? Tá sé agat. Agus tar éis dúinn Jack a fháil, ní bheidh tú ar ais i mo leaba riamh. Fear céile." [You want us to be separated? You have it. And after we get Jack, you will never be back in my bed. Husband.] Lilly whispered that last part bitterly; mockingly with a glare to his face. She spit behind him. "Boys, with me."

Lilly trotted down the lane with Brian and James in tow. She heard the men come up behind her. "So, where does this guy live in Saint Denis?" John asked.

"He's got a big house over on Flavian Street."

"How do we do this, Lilly?" Dutch asked. "We should be subtle, but...how do we get in?"

"He'll have a guard or two at the gate. Tell him we have an appointment with Mr. Bronte. If he don't listen, well, use your charm. Or your aggression. I don't care which."

"Alright. Hey Arthur," Dutch said. "Can you believe that girl? All I've got goin' on, and she wants to talk."

"Everthing okay with you two?" Arthur asked.

Lilly wished she'd shot Arthur in the leg, foot, or arm back at Braithwaite Manor.