by Emma Renshaw
“You think he’s hiding out in the bushes in your backyard?” I shout at Liam.
He takes another step closer to me, eyebrows pulling in farther. His nostrils flare. “I want to keep you safe.”
“I can keep myself safe,” I cry, running my hands through my hair, pulling at the roots. “I can’t stay trapped in here. I’ve done that. I refuse to do it again.”
Liam just stares at me, breathing hard. His face softens a fraction as he takes another step toward me. “Savannah,” he pleads.
“I need air, Liam,” I plead with him. I bite the insides of my cheeks to keep from crying. “I can’t be caged. I’d rather be in danger than be caged again.”
“I just want to keep you safe, baby,” Liam says, looking down and letting out a big breath.
“I don’t want you to keep me safe.”
Liam’s gaze darts back to mine. Fury takes over his features. “You don’t want me?”
“Don’t twist my words.”
“Then say what you meant because it sounds a whole hell of a lot like you’re trying to get rid of me. What is so wrong with wanting to keep you safe? I don’t want to lose you, Savannah.”
I huff out a breath, clenching my teeth together. “I don’t need a man standing in front of me, protecting me. I fought hard and trained hard to be able to protect myself. I will not be a damsel in distress, standing behind a man begging him to stop the danger.”
“Dammit, Savannah.” He takes another step toward me, and I take one more step back, my back pressing against the wall. He’s right in front of me, but he doesn’t touch me. His eyes are flitting all over my face. He raises a hand like he’s going to cup my cheek, but balls it in a fist instead, dropping it at his side.
“Don’t you get it, gorgeous? I don’t want to stand in front of you. I see you exactly as you are. Strong and fierce. I know damn well you can protect yourself. I don’t doubt that for a second, but you can’t blame me for wanting to protect you. I would stand in front of a bullet for you.”
I shake my head, wanting to protest, but he keeps going. “I don’t want to defend you in front of you, blocking you from any danger. I know that isn’t you. I just want the opportunity to fight next to you. With you. Us together.”
43
LIAM
My heart is pounding. I need Savannah to understand that I don’t want to cage her. I want to set her free. I hate that she is feeling trapped inside this house. A house I want to be ours. Having her here daily with a good portion of her clothes makes me as giddy as a schoolboy. When this threat is resolved, I don’t think I’ll be able to let her go back to her house. I want her here with me.
Savannah’s entire demeanor softens with my last words. Her hands press against my abs. I lay mine on top of hers. She steps into me, pressing her face into my chest. I bring my head down to rest on top of hers. I meant every word I said. I want the opportunity to fight next to her, take on the damn world together, side by side. But, if a bullet ever flew at her, she better believe I’d take it for her. I’d take on any burden for her.
“I need to go outside, Liam.”
I nod my head, kissing the top of hers. “I need to call the office, anyway.”
I bring her face to mine, giving a soft kiss before pushing her toward the door, giving her ass a soft pat. The reality is that Aiden is probably not hiding in my bushes in the backyard. That’s not his style. He prefers to play with her like he’s a fucking puppeteer.
I want to stand at the window watching Savannah, but I know that would not be appreciated. Instead, I sit back on the couch, placing my laptop on my lap. From this vantage point, I can see most of the backyard. Savannah is sitting on one of my lounge chairs, face turned to the sun. I watch her for a few quiet moments, basking in her beauty. I turn back to my work, but can’t help looking at her every few seconds.
Savannah comes back inside a while later, cheeks pink from the sun. She stands in front of me, twisting her hands together. I prepare myself for what she is about to lay on me. I can tell from these actions that I won’t like it.
I put my laptop next to me and sit back, leaning into the cushions. I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow, silently telling her to spit it out.
“I think we both need to go back to work,” she states, then nods like she’s already sealing the deal.
I close my eyes, sighing. I knew this would be coming. I don’t want her to go back to work. He knows where she works. He knows where she lives. But I also know she is running out of sick days. I’ve been keeping up with most of my work here at home, but I hate to admit it’d be easier in the office. I don’t have everything I need with me.
I close my eyes and nod. “I know. It’s time for both of us to go back to the office. I don’t like it, but it needs to happen.”
She sighs, and I open my eyes to look at her. She’s smiling. “Didn’t think I’d see you smiling about the fact you’ll be returning to The Witch.”
Her lips twitch like she’s holding in a laugh. “At this point, even her face would be a welcome sight.”
I laugh, pulling her down on my lap. I nuzzle my face in her neck, giving her soft, loving kisses. “I’m sorry, baby.” I lean her head back, connecting our foreheads together.
“I know,” she says. “I’m used to you being a barbarian. I just have to live with it.”
I tickle her, secretly loving the fact that she enjoys teasing me. I slide my laptop to the ground, not caring if I have to pay for a replacement. I push Savannah down on her back on the couch, coming over the top of her. My hips land between her open legs. She circles her hips, grinding against my hardening cock. It only takes a small touch from her to turn me to steel.
“You got really angry earlier,” I tell Savannah, kissing her neck.
Her hands wind into my hair. “Mhmm, I did.” She rocks her pussy against me, causing us both to groan.
“I think it’s time we kiss and make up.”
Savannah tugs on my lip with her teeth before running her tongue over it. “I’ve never had make-up sex before.”
“First time for everything,” I tell her, pulling her shirt over her head.
Three orgasms later, I couldn’t tell you a damn thing about our argument, much less my own name. Savannah ruins me every time.
44
SAVANNAH
This is the first morning in a long time that I don’t mind getting up early for work. I’ve missed leaving the house every day. We’ve stayed home for a week, except to pick up more clothes one time and to go to the gym every day. Neither Liam nor I wanted to miss a workout with the threat of Aiden breathing down our necks.
I dress in a white wrap dress with nude heels. It is one of my favorite work outfits. The neck is high, the sleeves long, but the dress hugs every single one of my curves perfectly. Every time I slip it on, I feel like I’m going to kick ass and take names. I usually reserve it for important client meetings as a good luck charm, but leaving the house for basically the first time in a week deserves a little celebration.
I’m putting the last touches of my makeup on when Liam walks into the bathroom for his morning shower, still naked from last night. My eyes sweep down his body, feeling the heat pulse between my legs. I lick my lips as I watch his cock strain toward me. Liam is sweeping his own eyes up and down my body. He comes right behind me.
“Fuck,” he breathes, sweeping my hair to one side so he can kiss his favorite freckle on my neck. “Why have I never seen this dress?”
I shrug, reveling in his reaction to me. He nips at my neck before smoothing over the sting with his tongue.
“I’m taking you out in this dress,” he tells me gruffly.
“Sounds like a plan,” I tell him, rubbing my ass along his rigid cock. I turn toward him, giving him two quick, hard tugs. I come up on my toes, kissing up his neck, along his scruffy jaw, finally settling on his lips. He’s pumping himself into my hand, faster. I lick along the seam of his lips before sinking to my knees.
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My hands land on his thighs, his cock straining before my face. I look up at him. “Thank you for not caging me, Liam.”
His start of the word thank ends in a growl as I take him deep into my mouth, pumping the part of his shaft that doesn’t fit. I relax my throat, preparing to take him deeper, licking along the vein on the underside of his shaft. His thighs clench under my hands when I hollow my cheeks.
I suck Liam’s cock deep into my throat, my nose pressing against his pelvis. I look up at him. His eyes are molten chocolate, pupils blown. One hand comes to my face, caressing my cheek. Every man I’ve been with before Liam has made me feel cheap and used in this position, but Liam makes me feel like a queen in control. I feel empowered taking my man like this, his thighs quivering for me. I continue to watch him as I swallow. His free hand fists at his side.
“Fuck, baby.” Liam’s voice is strained and gravelly. He pumps his hips, thrusting even deeper into my throat. I cup his balls in one hand, rolling them, and, tugging at the same time, I swallow him again.
“I’m—I’m going to come.” He tries to pull away, but my other hand wraps around his body, clutching his ass, keeping him there. I want this. I want to swallow every drop of him before I leave for work.
I tug his balls again, hollowing my cheeks, sucking him hard and fast. He pumps with me before he erupts in a yell of my name. After I swallow every last drop, he pulls me to my feet, hands cupping my face.
“I don’t deserve you,” Liam says before kissing me deeply. “God help me if you ever figure that out.”
I kiss him back, giving as much as I’m taking. I break the kiss, breathing hard. “I have to go now.”
“Not yet,” he tells me. He lifts my dress up to my hips, settling me on the counter. “Spread those thighs for me.”
“I’ll be late,” I protest as I spread my legs for him.
Liam drops to his knees. “Don’t care, gorgeous. I need breakfast before you leave.” He spreads my legs farther apart, pulling my panties down my legs, licking his lips as he stares at my soaked pussy. I can’t find it in me to care, either.
I am late to work, but it doesn’t wipe the smile plastered on my face as I pull into the parking lot. I lean over to grab my purse from the passenger seat before getting out of the car. I stand, shutting the door. I sigh happily; not even the thought of a day with The Witch could destroy my mood.
Something hard slams into my back, pushing my front against the side of my car. I open my mouth to scream, but a gloved hand covers my mouth. Another hand tugs my hair hard, pulling my head to one side. Tears sting my eyes from the bite of pain. I panic for a second, trying to recall what to do in this situation.
I bring up my foot to slam down on the attacker’s foot, but it moves at the last second. I try to jab him in the stomach with my elbow, but he anticipates that move, too.
My blood runs cold when I hear the attacker’s voice.
“I always loved your ass in a tight dress.” Aiden pushes his hard cock into my ass, pulling my hair hard again. “I’ve missed you, my love.”
I feel the sting of a needle in my neck before everything turns black.
I slowly come back to reality. My eyes open and shut a few times before I can keep them open. I wish they would have stayed shut. I try to scream, but my mouth is gagged. I’m sitting, hands tied behind my back and to the chair. My ankles are cuffed to the chair. The floor is concrete. The ceilings are high. I must be in a warehouse.
The wall in front of me is plastered from floor to ceiling with pictures of me. Pictures spanning years. There are some of just me, some of just Aiden. I start to cry when I see pictures that were taken during the time period Aiden was in prison. How did he get these? I think back to all the times I felt like I was being watched. I thought I must have been crazy to continually think someone was watching, but this proves my instinct was right. I swing my head to my right. More wall. More pictures from floor to ceiling. Bile draws up my throat when I see pictures of me naked, in bed, my hand between my legs. I shake my head, closing my eyes, trying to wipe away this reality.
I swing my head in the other direction, expecting to see only pictures, but this is much, much worse. Olivia sits slumped over in a chair, bound and gagged. I cry out, trying to scream her name. Why is she here? Why did Aiden take her? She can’t be here. I look at the tiny bump of her stomach, crying harder. I don’t know what Aiden injected me with, but I imagine he did the same to Olivia. I try to stomp my feet to wake her up, screaming around my gag. The noises are muffled, unable to make any affective noise.
I continue to cry out and scream until her body jerks. She starts screaming around her gag, looking all around. When her eyes land on me, she looks relieved for a split second before she starts crying again. I try to convey an apology through my eyes. As far as I know, Liam’s family doesn’t know about my past. She doesn’t know why she’s here. She doesn’t know that she’s been taken because of me.
Tears stream down my face as my eyes plead for her to somehow forgive me for this mess. Olivia is shaking her head back and forth, trying to understand, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looks away from me, looking at the walls all around her, realizing those are pictures of me. On the wall behind her are more photos of me naked in a bed. Those are photos from my room and Liam’s room. Only Liam’s face has been scratched out of each picture.
Aiden hasn’t only been watching me, he’s been watching Liam, too. Olivia’s eyes come back to mine, even more terrified than before. I can’t imagine what must be going through her head.
My face whips in the direction of the noise that just came through the warehouse. Aiden strides through a door from the corner of the room. “Ah, good, y’all are awake.”
I look at Olivia; she’s screaming around her gag. Her body is pushed as far into her seat as possible, like she’s trying to run away from him. Mine is doing the opposite, biting at the chance to get closer, to take my hit. I want to shatter Aiden in pieces so small, he’ll never be able to recover. He isn’t only messing with me now, he’s messing with people I’m coming to think of as family.
Aiden steps right up to me, caressing my face. I try to turn my head away from him, but he grips my chin tightly, bringing my face to face him.
I bite out, “Fuck you,” over the gag. From the look that lights his eyes, he understands the garbled mess.
“We have a lot to talk about, my love,” Aiden tells me, smoothing one hand over my cheek, the other still gripping my chin. I once thought he was so attractive. The first time I saw him, I was sucked deep into his ocean blue eyes. His dirty blonde hair was pushed back from his face and his smile was blinding against his tan skin. Now, he is the ugliest person I’ve ever seen. He pulls his hands away from my face, and I sag, relieved he’s no longer touching me. He stands in front of me, watching me serenely with crazy eyes. I stare back at him with hatred and devilish promises.
He smiles then brings his hand up, slapping my face hard. The force turns my head toward Olivia, my hair flying around me. My breaths come out faster, panting. I should have expected that.
I bring my eyes up to Olivia. She looks shocked and terrified. I try to communicate that I will get us out of this. I will at least get her out of this. She doesn’t belong here in this mess. I turn my eyes back to Aiden, sending daggers. Pleading with my mind to show some supernatural ability and light him on fire.
Aiden gives me a sinister, evil grin. “That was for whoring yourself out while I’ve been away.”
I continue to shoot daggers and pray he will spontaneously combust into a fine pink mist.
“You belong to me, Savannah. Do I have to remind you? How does your precious Liam feel when he fucks what’s mine? When he sees my name on your skin? The name is still there under that disgusting tattoo.”
I lurch forward, yelling at him around my gag. Aiden grips my chin again. “Keep fighting, love. Remember how much I fucking love it.” He grips his dick with his other hand, cupping his hardness. �
�It’s just foreplay for me.”
I look away, eyes landing on my pictures again. I alternate my gaze from his face to the pictures. I hate that he knows me so well, but I want answers.
He takes several steps away from me inspecting the room with a sinister smile on his face. “I’ll tell you everything, my sweet. First I want to bring that motherfucker you’ve been fucking in on this game.”
Fear ices over my veins. I lurch forward, fighting against my restraints. Aiden stalks over to me again, slapping me across the face. “You don’t fight this hard for another man. Only me, you ungrateful whore.” Aiden’s hand wraps around my throat, bringing my face to his. We stare at each other, both of us breathing heavily. “Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he hisses.
Aiden quickly undoes the gag around my mouth. I open my mouth to scream, but his mouth lands on top of mine. I try to turn my head, but he has me gripped by the throat. His tongue comes inside my mouth, but I slam my teeth down on it, tugging. He howls in pain, trying to back away from me, but I don’t let go, not even when the coppery taste of his blood starts filling my mouth. I bite down harder. His fist comes flying from the side, breaking my face away from his.
Aiden grips my throat again, squeezing. He straps the gag back on. My vision starts to blur. When he lets go, I try to cough around the gag. My chest heaves, searching for much-needed air. He punches me on the side of my face one more time before walking away.
I’m slumped over to the side. I finally bring my eyes to Olivia. She is crying even harder, still screaming around her gag. Her body is leaning toward mine, like she wants to come to my aid.