My stomach growls as I close the fridge and take a look around the kitchen. It looks different now than it did when I came home. He didn’t have half the things I use in the kitchen, so new things have been added to the counter. I threw away a few of the old things he’d kept. A couple I know were my mother’s. Like her mixer. I’m keeping that. I’ll never throw that away.
I think I’m getting better with dealing with the pain. I find myself no longer thinking of daddy a million times a day, or when I do, I don't instantly burst into tears. Even now, the picture of his face on the fridge only makes my heart hurt a little. I don't want to rip it down and sob inconsolably on the floor.
A feeling of guilt washes over me as I gaze at his portrait. I should still be grieving, shouldn’t I? It hasn’t even been that long since daddy died, and I’m already forgetting about him.
It just isn’t right.
It’s Liam, I think to myself. He’s filling that awful void left by daddy.
If anything, this realization makes it worse. I’m already moving on with my life.
But isn’t that what daddy would want? For me to be happy? And with a man he obviously put so much trust in?
I have to believe this, otherwise the guilt is going to eat me alive.
The sound of the front door opening tears me out of my musing. My mood instantly brightens. Liam's here.
“I’m in the kitchen!” I yell, stifling the other emotions and trying to remember what I was doing in the kitchen to begin with.
Oh yeah, movie night. We’ve been having these little date nights, and I really love them. It’s like real life is suspended when I’m with him. I know I have to face reality again at some point, but I don’t want to. I just want what we have together.
I’m ignoring all the other responsibilities for as long as I have to. At least I've paid my tuition. The money came through, and everything's taken care of. Liam started the paperwork the day we went on our date. So for days I was worrying over nothing. He says I worry too much and to just trust him. So I have, and I have to admit, life’s easier just letting him take care of me. I don't really have any worries, other than my grief over my father passing. But it's getting better. It really is. With Liam helping me, I can keep inching my way toward normalcy.
I’m just trying to live in the moment with Liam and forget that this could be over soon when I have to go back to school. It’s better that way. I pull my hair in front of one shoulder and smile thinking about our movie night tonight.
I haven’t been to the theatre in so long. I can’t wait to go. And have popcorn. I must have buttery movie popcorn. It’s crazy how much I want it. Just a week ago the thought of having greasy popcorn would make me want to barf. Now I’m craving it like a junkie.
“Liam?” I ask when I hear no response. For a moment, I’m rattled. It’s unusual for Liam not to respond. The sound of footsteps grows louder, and my anxiety increases. My heart starts to pound and all sorts of wild scenarios began running through my head when Liam appears in the doorway.
I breathe out a sigh of relief at the sight of him. “Oh thank God, it’s you,” I say breathlessly, my hand pressed over my heart. “For a moment there, I thought someone had broken in.” His eyes flash with worry, but it's gone so quickly I think I just imagined it.
I pause and then add, “You ready to go see Warcraft?”
Instead of responding, Liam just nods. I immediately suspect something’s off. My heart twists in my chest. Maybe he’s not feeling the same way about me as I am about him. Maybe he’s ready to talk about what’s going to happen when I go back to school. Fuck, I’m not ready for that.
“Is something wrong?” I ask cautiously.
“Nah.” He’s lying. I know he is.
“You sure?”
“I’m fine,” he replies curtly. Now I really know something is wrong. But I’m not quite sure what to do.
He holds up a DVD. “I wanna stay in tonight.” My lips tip down into a frown. It’s not that I don’t want to stay in. I love it when we do, I was just looking forward to going out. And to getting that popcorn.
It’s fine. I shake off all the weird insecurities running through me. Everything’s fine. I’ll feel better once we’re cuddling up. Everything's better when he holds me.
“Well can we at least get some popcorn for the movie?” I ask, trying to change the subject. “I’m really craving some right now.”
“We don’t need it.” My lips part, ready to protest. I can run right out to the convenience store and grab it in like twenty minutes. And I want it.
“But… I really would like to have some.” I gesture at the fridge. “I’m hungry, and there’s nothing to eat.”
Liam sighs. “I don’t want to go out, Elle.”
Anger surges through me. What the hell is Liam’s problem? I was really looking forward to going out and having a good time, and now he’s pulling this.
My eyes fall and I struggle to keep my composure. It’s gotta be my hormones and insecurities. I close my eyes and almost shake my head. I know it’s something else. I can’t keep lying to myself. If he's ready for this to end then he can just fucking do it.
Liam senses my anger because suddenly he’s in front of me, pulling me into his arms. I use my hands to brace myself on his chest and I was right, just being in his arms soothes something in me.
I still feel vulnerable, until he kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m sorry, Elle,” he apologizes. “I’ve just had a very long day.” I close my eyes, letting his touch calm me. “If you really wanna go out, we will.”
“Are we okay?” I whisper. I hate that I sound weak, but I can’t help feeling like there’s tension between us. I don’t like it. I want it gone.
“Of course we are,” he answers as I look up at him. There’s so much sincerity in his gaze that every insecurity vanishes. “I’m sorry, Elle. Of course we can get some popcorn for tonight.”
I place a hand on his shoulder and gently rub it. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. Since you’re so worn out, do you want me to drive?”
He kisses me on the nose. “Nah. I’m fine. I’ll drive. Where do you want to go?”
Chapter 20
Liam
I should tell her, but I can’t do it.
She’s gonna be pissed at me. She’s going to know what kind of a bastard I am. She’s going to question everything. Just knowing all that’s going to happen tears me apart. I wanna keep this from her. I need to keep all this shit away from her.
I can’t help but feel anxious as I drive down to the convenience store.
“Oh, shit!” My heart stills at Elle’s outburst. “I forgot my purse.” She sounds so upset. I close my eyes and try to contain my relief.
“No problem.” I stop at a red light and dig in my back pocket for my wallet. I have time to pull out a couple of twenties and pass them to her.
“I think one will do,” she says in a soft voice. “Thank you,” she says, a little uncomfortable. “I’ll pay you back.”
A smile cracks on my face for the first time since this morning. The light turns green and we move forward as I place my hand on her thigh. “No you won’t. You’re my girl.” I pick her hand up and kiss her wrist, keeping my eyes on the road.
I hear her soft sigh and feel her eyes on me. I take a look from the corner of my eyes and she looks beautiful. It makes my heart hurt.
A small smile is playing on her lips. She’s so perfect. I keep rubbing soothing circles as we drive up and I pull in. Right at the front doors, where there's plenty of security and high visibility. I can see everything. I’ve got my gun in the glove box. We should be fine, but it won't hurt to stay vigilant. I put the car in park and Elle’s already moving. Her seat belt’s off and she starts to open her door and holds up one finger.
“I’ll be in and out real quick.” She leans across the console and plants a kiss on my lips. “Promise.” Her words echo in my ears as she opens her door.
My heart stops beating a
s I look past her. One of Ian’s men pulls in, and even with his sunglasses on, I recognize him. Stephen.
It’s freezing outside, but his window’s down and I know why. He's going to shoot. It's a hit. My lungs refuse to fill. My blood spikes with fear as everything plays in slow motion.
Before I can blink, he’s pulling his gun out of the window and aiming it right at Elle. I grab her shoulders and pull her down. The bullets fly out with a loud bang! One ricochets off the car, I think the hood, and she screams. Another hits the passenger side mirror. She’s still screaming, and her hands fly to her head. My heart’s pounding in my chest.
“Stay down!” I yell at her, covering her with my body and struggling to close her door. Once I hear the click, I chance a look and peek up. Bang! He fires as I duck back down and she shrieks in fear.
Her window shatters as a bullet hits my driver seat. Small shards of glass fall into the car by her feet. She scoots closer to me and I try my damndest to cover her. This is too close.
I stay low. I just need to protect her. I reach up and unlatch the glove compartment to get my gun. I can feel it, but I fumble with it as my heart pounds. Finally, I’ve got it in my hand. The heavy weight does nothing to relieve my anxiety. She can’t be here. I can’t let anything happen to her. The car’s still running and I put it into reverse, desperate to get out of here. To get her on the other side of me.
Someone runs from the store and ducks behind a car. A few other people are screaming from inside the store as another wild spray of bullets hits the car. Elle’s shrill cry pierces my ears as her fingers dig into my leg. She’s staying down though and the door is closed. She’s as safe as possible for now, but she could still get hit.
I only lift my head up enough to barely see that fucker and quickly shoot my gun, aiming right at his head. He ducks to avoid the first shot and then the second. I don’t need to hit him. I just need to get him to stop firing so I can get her out of here. That’s what matters. My heart races and my blood pumps with the fear of losing her.
I’m driving in reverse with one hand, my grip tight on the leather steering wheel. My other hand is still holding the gun while pushing down on her back, keeping her down. I hit the gas pedal and turn the wheel as sharp and fast as possible. The back of my car smacks against a lamppost, jolting our bodies. Elle screams again and tries to cover her head, curling into a small ball on the seat.
I put the car into drive and take off. The tires squeal as two more bullets hit the back of the car, each one making her jump and ripping a sob from her throat. She’s shaking, and I’m doing everything I can to take care of her and get us out of here.
I look in my rearview expecting him to follow us, but he’s turning out of the lot in the other direction. My heart's racing and she’s clawing against my arm, trying to get out of my hold and sit up.
I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding and let go of her. The light ahead turns yellow and I slam on the gas to get through the intersection. I’m not stopping. I’m taking her to my place in the city until these fuckers are dead. I don’t trust going back to her place. I need my guns and my security system. I focus on my breathing; I need to get my shit together. She needs me, now more than ever. My heart’s still racing like crazy, but it’s starting to calm slightly.
“Oh my God.” Tears fall down Elle’s face. “Are you okay?” she screeches. Her breathing is frantic and she’s looking around, the wind from her open window blows her hair into her face. The glass crunches beneath her feet as she moves slightly and then looks out of the back window like she’s expecting to see him. She doesn’t even know what she’s looking for.
“It’s okay, he's gone.” I sound cold and devoid of emotion. But this is the most emotion I’ve ever felt. And it’s not one I welcome. Fear. They almost took her from me.
“Did you see him?” Her wide eyes are filled with worry. “We need to call the cops.” She searches the floor for her phone and picks it up. I’m quick to snatch it out of her hands, dropping the gun.
“No cops.” My words are hard. But I can’t let her do that. I’m killing these fuckers. As soon as I can get her safe, they’re dead. They’ve been in hiding, but you can only hide so long. We know where they hang around and now we have their paper work, I know where they live and where their families live. I’m not giving them a chance to run. I’ll find those fuckers. “They’re all dead.”
It’s then that Elle sees the gun and puts two and two together. Her eyes widen, and the fear in them changes. She’s scared of me now. It makes my heart clench in my chest. It fucking hurts, but I knew this would happen. She pushes away from me and leans against the car door. Like she’s desperate to get out.
“Why do you have a gun?” she asks; her voice is hollow. I press my lips into a firm line and stare straight ahead. “Why were they shooting at us?” Her voice cracks, and I can see she’s shaking again.
“Elle--” I start to speak, but she screams out, “Tell me!”
“'Cause they have a hit out on me.” I grip the wheel tighter and add, “On us.” Her lips part with disbelief. It fucking hurts me to say that.
“Why?” she asks.
I take in a deep breath before looking at her and answering, “I told you I was a bad man.”
“Stay away from me!” she screams. My heart shatters in my chest. I loosen my grip on the wheel and look out of the driver side window.
“That’s not an option now.” I finally tell her the truth, “I’m sorry, Elle. But you have to come with me.”
Her mouth opens, and she struggles to breathe. I wish I could comfort her and that she’d believe me when I say I’ll take care of this. But I can tell just from the look in her eyes, everything between us is broken.
Chapter 21
Liam
I open the car door for her and she storms out. She doesn’t touch me; she completely avoids me. She’s fucking pissed. Her arms are crossed, and she’s not speaking. That’s fine if she doesn’t want to talk right now. I’ll wait for her to calm down and figure out how to make this up to her. She’s walking the wrong fucking direction though. And that’s not going to happen. I’m not letting her leave.
“Elle, get your ass inside!” I yell out as I follow her down the driveway. We’re a good distance away from the other houses, but they’re within view, and I’m not letting her get close enough to them to cause a scene. My heart’s trying to climb out of my throat. I need to get her ass inside. Right. Fucking. Now.
“Elizabeth!” I scream out her name.
She turns on her heels, the crunch of the gravel and my heartbeat the only sounds I can hear as she stares back at my house with anger. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she says with a shaky voice, finally looking at me. Her eyes are glassy. She’s a mix of emotions and looks like she’s ready to crack
“Elle,” I say and put my hands up as though I’m approaching a wounded animal. That’s what she is. I hurt her. I fucked up. I know I did. But I’m going to make this right.
She shakes her head and lets out a sarcastic laugh.
“Don’t fucking call me that, and don’t put your hands on me.” She throws her finger out, pointing at me and looking at me with disgust. She walks backward down the driveway with every step I take to get closer to her. The ground's uneven, and I don’t need her falling and hurting herself.
“I can’t let you go, I’m sorry.” I know she’s pissed at me. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her go. I have security here at least. It’s something. And now that I know they’re coming, she’s not leaving my house until they’re both dead.
“You can’t make me stay here,” she says with wide, unbelieving eyes. They’re red and swollen from the threat of tears, but she's holding them back. She shakes with anger and sadness, and shouts, “I wanna go home!”
“You’re in danger--”
“I can call the police--” she starts to say, cutting me off, but I nip that in the bud.
“No, you can’t.” I sh
ake my head and take another step closer. She takes one back and her ankle nearly rolls as she kicks out the gravel under her feet. I need her to understand. I don’t want to even say this shit out loud. But she needs to know how much danger she’s in. “They’ll come for you--”
“Because of you!” she shrieks at me, bending at her waist and practically spitting as she yells. I know it had to have hurt her throat. There are a few houses at the end of the drive and then nothing but the woods around the city park. I look over to see if anyone’s there. She needs to knock this shit off.
“You need to get inside and stay there.” She doesn’t answer me. Her skin is bright pink from the freezing air. The wind’s blowing harder now, and I know it’s gotta be getting to her. Shit, I’m cold, too. “Come inside. And we can talk about this later.”
Her eyes whip to mine. “Talk about this?” she asks incredulously, and raises her brows.
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know. But right now, you need to go inside.”
“What the fuck do you do?” she says and finally looks up at me. She waits for an answer, but I’m not ready to talk.
“You don’t need to know right now.” I don’t want to get into this shit. I need to get her inside and take care of this problem.
She mutters under her breath, “I knew you were no good.” It pisses me off to hear her say that. But mostly it fucking hurts.
“Yeah, I’m a real bad man,” I admit, “but other bad men are after you.”
“It’s your fault,” she says. And she’s right.
“I’m sorry.” I can’t say anything else. She finally lets me take a step closer to her without moving away from me. “You just have to stay here until I deal with them.”
“Kill them?” she asks hysterically.
“It’s either you or them, Elle.” Her breathing comes in pants, and she glances down the driveway like she’s considering running and then looks back up to me.
Tempted: A Bad Boy Next Door Romance Page 12