My heart skips a beat. What the hell is going on? Liam's in danger? My body inches forward on its own. I grip the cord in my hand and wait with bated breath. “Where is he?” I cry, panicking. I rise from the bed as anxiety runs through me.
Zac quickly tells me what's happened, and I feel absolutely sick to my stomach. I listen to him anxiously until he’s finished.
“We have to the call the police.” I should’ve called already. If I'd called them, maybe this wouldn’t be happening. This is all my fault. I never should’ve left. I cover my mouth with my hand, feeling like I’m going to throw up. If I hadn’t left, he wouldn’t be driving to his execution right now.
“No! Lizzie, don’t--” Zac sounds frantic. I feel overwhelmed with heat and anxiety and not knowing what I should do, but knowing I need to do something. And I need to do it fast.
I’m about to hang up on Zac and call the cops when I realize that Liam’s location is close by. Only a few blocks away. “I’ll get to him; I’ll stop him,” I say as I begin to hang up the phone.
“Lizzie?” Zac sounds panicked. “Lizzie, what are you doing? Lizzie I need you to stay put--”
I hang up the phone, my mind and heart racing, and run my fingers through my hair. I’m shaking. My entire body is laced with anxiety.
I can't let Liam die. He's so close, and he's in danger all because of me.
Really though, what can I do? I’m an unarmed woman who’s frightened out of her mind. I would be of no use to Liam in a gunfight. I’d probably only end up getting myself killed. I don’t even have a gun.
But I can’t let Liam die for me. Not after all we’ve been through. I don't care about anything other than saving him. I have to do something. I love him. It would kill me if he died. I can’t let it happen.
I quickly grab my coat and put it on as I walk as fast as possible to the lobby. I nearly trip on the stairs; my feet just won’t move fast enough. I need a taxi or something. I don’t know. I need help. He needs help!
I walk out into the parking lot, where the bitter cold smacks me in the face. I search the street for a taxi or a street sign at least so I know which way to run when I see a car idling. Someone left it there to warm up. The keys are right there. I bite down on my lip and silently send a prayer of thanks.
My heart sputters. I wait half a second before I commit the first crime in my entire life and hop into the driver’s seat. I slam the door shut and hit the gas. I don’t look in the rearview mirror, I just drive, tires squealing as I turn out of the parking lot and onto the snow-dusted road. The back tires slip, and my breath catches in my throat. I struggle to put on the seat belt and keep the car going at the same time.
I can’t fucking get into an accident. I swallow thickly and try to calm down and think of a plan.
I need to go to him. I need to save him.
I can’t let him die.
Chapter 28
Liam
My heart’s pounding in my chest. But it’s so slow. Everything is slow. It’s like I’m seeing everything differently now.
Ian’s a piece of shit and I know he wants me dead. I know there’s a possibility that he’s gonna kill me as soon as I get there. But if he’s got my girl, I have to try to save her. I’m not positive that he’ll let her go. But I have no other options. If I don’t go, she’s dead. And I can’t let that happen.
I can’t let her die because of me. I’ll never forgive myself. I look at the gun in the passenger seat as I slow down at the red light. I’m almost there. Maybe ten minutes, just a few blocks away. I’m resisting the urge to drive over the curb and push the pedal to the floor. But I can’t get on a cop’s radar. If I get pulled over, or worse, taken in, she’s dead.
My hands are sweaty and I have to rub them off on my jeans before gripping the steering wheel again. The gun is the only thing on my mind. If I go in there with it, they’ll probably find it and take it from me. If I were them, I’d check me. I wanna be protected, in case he goes back on his word, but they may see it and kill her. He said no weapons.
I slowly push the pedal down and the car moves. I’m driving to my death. But it’s for her. I have to. I breathe out deeply. If there’s a way to save us both, I’ll do it. But if not, I’ll die for her. I’ll happily give my life to keep her safe.
My phone starts buzzing in my pocket. I only look to see if it’s Ian. It’s not her number. My brother keeps calling, but I can’t answer. I know he’s not on board with this plan. He’ll hate me for leaving him like this. He doesn’t understand. But when he finds someone he loves, he’ll get it. He’ll forgive me one day. And he promised to take care of her, that’s what matters. My heart shatters in my chest. My phone won’t stop going off. It’s vibrating on my lap, and this time when I look it’s my brother, but calling from my landline at 22 Wyoming. I bet he’s trying different numbers, and I can't blame him. He just wants to convince me not to go. But it’s not happening.
“I’m sorry,” I say to no one as the phone stops ringing. I’m only a few blocks away. My resolve is firm.
I loved her before I even met her. I can’t let her die.
This was all meant to happen. I couldn’t save my father or Richard, but I can save her.
It’ll be the one good thing I’ve ever done with my life.
Chapter 29
Lizzie
I put the pedal to the metal, running red lights and turning right on left turns and doing all sorts of crazy shit on my way to intercept Liam. I’m risking being stopped by the police, but I don’t give a damn. I can’t let anything happen to Liam. I can’t afford to lose another person I love.
If I don’t get there fast enough, I think worriedly, they'll kill him. Why else would they tell him they have me? He has to know it's a setup.
My heart pounds as I speed around a right corner, and my mind races through gruesome scenarios. I’m scared of what I might find when I find Liam. Will they have already gotten to him?
If they do, it will be all my fault. Fuck, I can't stand the thought. I feel so sick. I should've just listened to him.
It’s hard to keep myself together and drive at the same time, but I’m doing it. I’m barely holding on, but I am.
I reach an intersection close to where Liam's supposed to be going. I know I'm going the right way. I know what road Zac said, and I'm close. I'm so close.
I have to slam on my brakes and stop at a red light because there's too much traffic. The tires slip on the slick road, but I manage to maintain control and avoid a collision. I slam my fist on the dash, hating that I have to waste even a second. Then I look all around, making sure I’m not missing anything.
Suddenly, I see Liam’s car speeding up from the side road. Liam! Hope rises in my chest. He’s alive. He’s right there! “Liam!” I scream out even though there’s no way he could hear me. I bang on the horn, over and over. I lay all my weight on it. Staring at him. Begging him to look at me.
But he doesn’t. Everyone around me is watching. They don’t know. He’s about to drive to his death, and I’m stuck watching him, unable to do anything about it. No! I honk again and again as he gets closer to the intersection. But he’s not seeing me. He’s not looking anywhere but straight ahead.
With how fast he’s going I’m sure he won’t see me. I can’t let him pass.
With only seconds to react, I floor the gas pedal and smack into the car ahead of me. I push down hard, shoving the car out of my way as my own car jolts forward. I hear the screams and honking from the other drivers gathered at the red light. They're yelling and pissed, but I don't care. Faster! I have to go faster. He’s so close. He’s almost at the intersection in front of me. I slam on the gas and head out into the middle of the intersection just as Liam comes speeding through the center.
I know the meet is right there. If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to get to him in time. We’re both going too fast. I speed my car ahead and close my eyes, knowing he’s going to hit my car on the passenger side. But it’s the only way
I can stop him. I lay on the horn and speed my car right in front of his and I prepare my body for the blow.
The screech of metal and shattering glass is deafening as he broadsides me, spinning my car out of control. My body's forced to the right with a stinging pain from the seat belt. My head's violently whipped to the side as the car comes to a halt and I slam my head on the driver’s window with a loud crack.
Fuck! That hurt. As the car comes to a sudden stop, I wince and slowly lift my hand to my head. I look down at my fingers and see blood.
My body aches all over, and there's a sharp, stabbing pain in my side. A pounding sensation throbs inside of my skull, causing black spots in front of my vision.
I feel like absolute shit.
“Liam,” I call weakly. He’s the only thing I care about. I’m so dizzy and can barely see anything, but I can’t think about anything other than Liam.
“Liam,” I repeat in a half-choke, half-cry. Please don’t be dead. My heart beats faster as I try looking out my shattered windshield.
Groaning, I fumble with my seat belt, trying my best to undo it, but it’s stuck. I have to get out of here. Now. But I feel so fucking weak.
For a moment I fear I'll get stuck in the car and get burned alive. In a panic, I start rattling my seat belt, hoping it will just loosen. It doesn’t unsnap. Fuck.
Suddenly, my door is being ripped open and a deep, familiar voice asks, “Elle?” His voice is full of worry, but also disbelief.
Relief floods my body at the sight of Liam. He looks bruised and battered with a few cuts on his face and arms, but other than that, I’ve never seen him look so damned good in my life.
“Liam, don't go!” I yell at him, shaking my head.
“You’re here,” he says as he looks at me with utter disbelief before looking down at where I’m trying desperately to get the buckle undone. I need to get out of this fucking car and hold him. He’s really okay.
Without hesitation, Liam bends into the car and rips my seat belt off. Then he pulls me out and into his arms. I hold on to him even though my body is screaming in pain. I just need to hold him.
He squeezes me gently. I feel like I can finally breathe. I grip on to him tighter, refusing to let go as he kisses me over and over again. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper against his chest.
Liam hugs me close again. “Jesus, Elle.” He pulls back to look at me. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head. “You were going to die.” I hold him closer and just try to breathe. “You were going to die for me?” I pull back to look at him. His fingers gently touch the gash on my scalp.
Liam peers at me with disbelief. “I would do anything for you. I love you, Elle.”
My eyes prick with tears at the admission. “I love you so much.”
Hot tears begin streaming down my face like a waterfall and the words start gushing out. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry that I left you. I wasn’t thinking. I was just so... so scared.” The words tumble out of my mouth. I shake my head, wishing none of it were true. If I’d just listened to him, none of this would have happened.
Liam kisses me on the forehead, pulling me close. “It’s okay. You're okay, that's all that matters.”
I look up at him, my heart clenched tight, needing his forgiveness. I know this is all my fault. “Please forgive me.”
Liam gently caresses my tearstained cheeks and shakes his head. “I can’t forgive you, Elle.” My breath catches in my throat, and I feel tears welling up again in my eyes. I've ruined things between us. It's too late.
“I can't forgive you, because you haven't done anything wrong.” He kisses me then, a deep, long lingering kiss that leaves me wanting for more. When he pulls away I’m breathless, and in pain. The car crash has banged me up pretty good.
“We need to go before the cops show up,” he says urgently.
I look around, and people are stopped at street corners staring at us and taking pictures with their cell phones. Some are even on their phones, talking while surveying the devastation. Cars are starting to pile up as they try to maneuver past the wreck.
“Shit! Get down!” Liam suddenly yells, yanking me to the ground just as I was starting to stand, and pulling us close to the open driver’s door. I get a quick glimpse and see the man from before, the man with the cold, dark eyes. My heart hammers in my chest. My body feels paralyzed.
The crack of gunfire splits the air and I let out a piercing scream as another whizzes by us and hits Liam's car behind me. Immediately, Liam pushes me against the car and covers me with his hard body, sandwiching me between hard metal and his protection. So many people are screaming and running. I close my eyes tightly as my heart leaps in my chest.
Oh my God, I think, frozen with terror. We’re going to die. My fingers dig into him, holding on as tight as I can as my body tries to curl into a ball. The cold wind travels beneath the open door. We hardly have any cover.
Another gunshot fires off and I can't help that my body jolts with the loud bang of the bullets plastering the car. Liam continues to shield me and I wish I could protect him. I can’t bear the thought of him being hit. Each second that passes seems like an eternity, but finally the gunfire ceases.
Liam immediately goes into action. He rolls off of me, staying crouched down.
“Get in your car and drive!” Liam orders, keeping his eyes focused ahead, looking for the target.
I hesitate, worrying about what’s going to happen to him.
Liam gestures sharply, his face twisting in anger at my hesitation. “Go! I’ll cover for you. You need to get out of here!”
“You can’t stay here!” I protest just as three more gunshots go off. I wince and duck down out of instinct. My heart can’t take this. I’m so fucking scared, I’m shaking.
Liam peeks over the hood of the car. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” When I don’t budge, he reaches into his pocket and brings out his cell. He taps the screen, speed-dialing someone.
“Zac, where are you?” Liam asks. “Yeah. We’re on South Street. Yeah. Bring heat.” He takes the phone from his ear and looks at me. “I’m going to be fine, Zac.” He cups my face in his hands. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
I stare into his eyes and all I see there is love. I can’t leave him. I won’t! “Please, I can’t do this right now,” I croak. “I need you.”
Liam shakes his head angrily. “Get in the car! Now.”
“No!” I yell, shaking. “I’m not leaving without you.” If something happens to you, I won’t be able to live with myself.
“Fuck,” Liam growls. He brings the phone back to his ear and says, “Zac, don’t come. I'm leaving with Elle… Yeah, I have to get it. I’m not gonna leave without trying to take him out.” He hangs up and pockets the phone.
“Stay here and don’t move,” he says sternly and quickly crouches down and goes to his car that’s just behind mine.
“No!” I yell out and try to reach for him, but he’s gone before I can get to him. He’s completely unprotected for the briefest of moments, but I can’t stand that he’s putting himself in danger. I think about losing the cover of the door and trying to follow him, but I feel his body slam against the back of the car, before I can move.
He comes back with a gun and cocks it. “Get in.”
I’m so fucking scared, but I do as he says. Keeping low, I climb in and crawl to the passenger seat. Another bullet hits the car and I stifle my scream.
“Keep your head down,” Liam orders, starting the car while keeping his head low. As if in response to his order, several bullets come flying through the windshield, raining glass on my head.
I cry out, my heart beating so fast it feels like it’s going to explode. Small shards of glass cover the seat and my body. I pull the sleeves of my sweater over my hands for protection. The sounds of sirens wail in the distance and I feel a moment of relief. The cops are coming.
“I won’t let him live.” Liam say, making my body chill. He responds to the
gunshots with a few shots of his own. Bang! Bang! Bang! I hear someone yell something, but I can’t make out what it is. It’s so quiet now. All I can hear is my own breathing. I steal a glance over at Liam; he looks so intense; he doesn’t even look like he’s breathing. I jump when he fires off two more shots. I hear a short cry and then nothing.
Liam finally sits up and looks behind us as he puts the car into reverse and hits the gas. We hit his car and then he puts the car in drive and takes off.
A few precious moments of silence pass as the car takes off. I'm still low and Liam's still tense. “Did you get him?” I finally ask, my heart still racing.
Liam looks at me, dropping the gun in his lap.
“Yeah,” Liam replies, “I got him.” He puts his hand down for me to grab, still keeping his eyes on the road. I slowly rise and look around as Liam pulls off into a neighborhood. “It was only him. It’s done.” My body eases slightly. “It’s over.” He says with finality.
I struggle to believe it’s true and to know what to say. We drive in silence. It’s over.
“We gotta ditch this car.” He looks at me with sympathy in his eyes.
I can hardly breathe. This doesn’t feel real.
“Hey,” Liam says, holding my hand. “It’s okay now.”
It doesn’t feel okay though. I’m still shaking.
The car slows a few blocks down, and Liam shuts down the engine. He looks over at me, his jaw clenched. “Promise me.” He pauses a moment to take in a deep breath. “Promise me that you’ll never do something so stupid again.” His voice is hard, cold, nothing like what I expect from the heated look in his eyes.
Tears pool in my eyes. He seemed okay when we were getting shot at, now he’s acting like he's pissed at me. “I told you why I did--”
“You left me,” he growls. “You left me when you knew you were in danger.”
“But,” I begin to protest, but I can't think of any words. I'm so overwhelmed, and I know at the time it had felt like the right thing to do.
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