by Vi Carter
The rattle of the door has me freezing halfway across the floor. I’m not sure if I’m seeing things. I’m staring at Liam as his eyes seem to scorch every part of me. He’s beside me in a few strides. He doesn’t look at me as he takes my damaged hand in his large one.
“You’re hurt.” His brows pull down and I’ve never heard Liam sound so unsure. He’s holding my hand like it’s some broken bird. I think of the bird that I had helped once. I had told him that story, and now I feel like he was remembering what he had said. How he would have snapped its neck. Tears burn my eyes again. Was I some broken bird to him? Never to fly again.
His eyes finally meet mine and my stomach tightens. It is like watching someone in a tug of war, he’s pulling for dear life and now he just releases the rope.
But he is not giving up.
He is giving in.
“I love you.” His words swallow me whole and when he bends down and rests on his knees, I have no idea what to make of this. Was he going to propose? When he looks up at me, his eyes are the softest brown I have ever seen them. His hands release mine gently and he moves them aside. Every part of me freezes as he leans in and kisses my stomach.
He knows.
“I love our baby too.” He looks up at me and I’m not sure how I’m still standing.
I was good enough.
As he rises, so does my temperature. My heart feels like it sings. “You’re okay with this?”
Once again he takes my damaged hand gently in his. “I’m so lucky to have found you.” His eyes roam my face and the soft tug on his lips has me smiling through tears.
“Like in the basement or in general?” It was meant to be funny.
His small smile dissolves. “This will end tonight. You will have nothing more to fear.”
His words have my fear spiking and I’m all too aware now of everything. For the first time, I’m aware that we aren’t alone.
My eyes clash with Una’s and I can almost feel fire at my fingertips. “You have no idea what I’m capable of,” I speak my threat in Czech to Una, who tightens her hold on Shane’s hand. She might not understand my words, but she understands my body language. “You will regret locking me down here.”
When I look at Liam, he’s smiling and I can’t fathom why. “I know what you are capable of,” he says through his smile. I had forgotten he understands Czech. Now he speaks in English.
“I will never forgive her,” I glare at Una speaking English now. “You left me here with no food or water. You knew I was pregnant.”
Guilt swamps her eyes.
Liam touches my arm. “You never have to forgive her, what she did is unforgivable.” His jaw is tight as he speaks.
“Liam.” The warning comes from Shane.
Liam turns to him, shielding me. “No harm will ever come to Una, not by me or Svetlana.” I bite my tongue as Liam continues to speak. “But, if Una finds herself in harm’s way. I won’t help.”
No one speaks as Liam takes my hand in his and walks me out of the basement. I don’t look at Una as I pass her. Liam opens his car door and helps me in. Once I have the seat belt on, Liam gets into the driver side, he doesn’t start the car but opens his glove compartment. He takes out a white handkerchief. Taking my hand, he places it gently in it. “Tighten your hold on it.”
I close my fingers around it before looking up at Liam. My stomach twists and my free hand touches it. Liam follows my movements with his eyes, they flash with something, I’m not sure what but I want to know.
“Are you afraid?” I ask.
“No. Are you?”
His quick fire answer has me smiling. “Not anymore.”
He reaches out and takes my face in his large hands. “I need you. I’ve never needed anything before. But, I need you.” He’s nodding as he speaks.
I turn my head and kiss his open palm. “I’m here.”
A knock on the window has Liam looking away from me, he doesn’t release my face as he turns to Shane. Rolling down the window slightly, Shane gives me a half smile that I don’t return.
“Can you open the door?”
“Ring a taxi.” Liam rolls up the window and Shane steps away from the car.
“You can’t leave them stranded,” I say to Liam as he lets my face go, and starts the car.
“They’ll manage.”
I tighten my hold on the white handkerchief and watch it slowly turn pink.
“Svetlana.”
I glance at Liam, he’s alternating watching me and the road. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise, no one will hurt you again.”
His fierce words reach deep down inside me. I had no doubt he would do everything to keep me safe, especially now that I carried his child, but you couldn’t move a mountain just because you willed it. So we had too many enemies and when they started popping up in your own home, it was always a deadly dance.
Liam turns back to the road and a muscle tightens in his jaw. Now I wanted to tell him that I believed him just to ease the tension. But no one could really make a promise like that. My hand tightens across my belly, knowing that my number one job now was protecting my baby.
Our baby.
I reach out my hand to Liam without looking and he takes it, like I’ve just presented him with a lifeline.
We don’t return to Shane’s home. Instead, Liam takes me to a castle. It’s a hotel and the interior is amazing. It’s like it hasn’t been touched since it was built. We don’t have to stop at the desk. A man is waiting with keys that he hands to Liam on arrival. We are also met by the doctor George, who had cared for me before, and another man in a suit who follows behind me. Liam wraps his fingers around my uninjured one.
“Danny is security here in the hotel. He will be watching over you.” Liam informs me as I steal glances over my shoulder. I try to feel like I’m not being kept in a cage again. My movements have always been watched, but this time it was for the right reasons.
I glance up at Liam to find him watching me.
“Okay.”
We stop at a set of double doors that are opened for us. We step into a large sitting room, my eyes are drawn to the roaring fire at the end of the room. Two doors are closed on either side.
“Can I take a look at your hand?” I turn to George, who has set his bag on a small round mahogany table that holds a single lamp. I sit down on the coral colored couch, the fabric looks like it’s been brushed. I observe Liam as George removes the handkerchief from my hand. He’s talking to Danny, who drinks up all of Liam’s words.
“It’s not too deep.”
I return my focus to George. He doesn’t ask how it happened. “Thank you.”
He peeks up at me before returning to cleaning my hand. “This is going to sting.”
I nod and look away. The sting is instant and I suck in a sharp breath while biting on my lip.
“I’m nearly finished,” George says while Liam kneels down beside me with a glass of water. I take it with my good hand and sip slowly.
“I’ve ordered food, it will be here soon.” The concern tightens the corner of Liam’s eyes.
“I’m okay.” I want to reassure him. I know he has enough to worry about.
“All done.”
I focus on George, right now it’s easier. “Thank you, George.”
“I’ll leave you some painkillers.” He gets up to rummage through the bag.
I feel awkward as I glance at Liam, who still kneels beside me. “Are they safe in pregnancy?”
Georges turns quickly and surprise flashes across his face. “Yes. They are just paracetamol.”
I take the tablets from George. “Congratulations.”
He’s the first person to say that and I smile at him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll need you to organize a nurse and midwife, everything necessary for her.” Liam’s rising now as he speaks to George. “I want Svetlana to have the best of care.”
George nods while giving me another look. “I’ll set it up.”
&nbs
p; The door opens and our food is wheeled in. The smell has my stomach rumbling loud enough that everyone glances at me. Liam’s fists tighten and I drink down the remainder of the water to stop the noise.
Liam silently takes the food off the tray and places it on the table while everyone else leaves the room.
The steak smells and looks divine, Liam sits across from me but he has nothing in front of him.
“Why aren’t you eating?” I slow down my bites, feeling conscious now.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Eat some chips,” I say and am surprised when he picks one up and starts to chew on it slowly. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face while watching him.
“How are you feeling?” Liam’s eyes flicker to my stomach.
I stuff another chip in my mouth before answering. “I’m good. I’m excited and a bit scared to be honest.”
“There is nothing to fear. You will be an exceptional mother.”
My throat closes slightly and the chip feels heavy. Washing it down with a glass of water, I focus on cutting my steak as my mind takes a wander down a road I don’t want to go down.
“Svetlana.”
I swallow before looking up at Liam. His head is held high. I think of a lion standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down over the world. Over his world. That’s what I see now.
“Your strength is something I never expected. Honestly, I never expected anyone like you. If our child has half its mother’s strength, I will be a very proud father.”
My vision blurs and I swallow down the emotion that threatens to pour. I refocus on my food and slip a piece of meat into my mouth, after a couple of chews I feel more composed and glance up at Liam who continues to watch me.
There is power in his stare, he makes me want to sit straighter, and be proud of myself, but also slump, because I know I’m safe with him.
“Are you full?”
I yawn. “Yes.”
Liam stands and walks around to me, reaching out his hand like he wants to dance, I take it. Tingles race through me at the touch as he leads me to a door on the left of the roaring fire.
We step into a spacious bedroom with a large fairytale four poster bed. “You need to rest.” Liam pulls the curtains as I make my way to the bed and strip off my clothes until I’m in my underwear. A shower would be nice after being in the basement, but I needed to sleep. When I glance up Liam is watching me, his focus on my stomach, a look of awe and I see fear in his eyes. He doesn’t speak as he makes his way to me. Each step has my heart racing a little faster. He hesitates for a moment before he touches my stomach and then his eyes shoot up to mine before darting to my lips. On instinct my tongue flickers out and moistens them for him. I had wanted to kiss Liam from the moment he stepped into the basement.
“Miluji tě.“ My heart soars as I tell him I love him in my own language. His widens briefly before he takes my face in his hands.
“Také tě miluji.“ His response has me pressing my lips to his. The warmth and softness of his lips have me groaning into his mouth. I reach up and push his suit jacket off his wide shoulders. My pulse spikes when I look into his black eyes that drink me up. He doesn’t help as I unbutton his shirt and push it down his arms and it floats to the floor. I lean in and inhale Liam while pressing my body against his. My skin bursts into goosebumps at the contact with his. Large hands run down my arms and don’t stop until he threads his fingers with mine. I rest my cheek against Liam’s chest and listen to his fast beating heart. Looking at him he seems so unaffected. A kiss to my neck has me pushing my body harder against Liam’s, turning my head I catch his lips with mine.
The kiss this time isn’t gentle, it's as if we are crashing together . Both of us are oxygen to each other. Liam moves us to the bed and releases my hands, I easily move back onto it. Lying down, he holds himself up over me as he continues to deepen the kiss with his tongue. The warmth of his kisses have me pulling his large shoulders down so his body is nearly flush with mine, but he still holds himself above me.
Liam breaks the kiss and I use the moment to reach down and open his trousers, eager to have him inside me. He helps me by kneeling back and pushing his trousers and boxers down, letting his erection spring free. My core tightens and my light panties grow damp.
I’m grateful when Liam kicks off his trousers and resumes his position above me. Reaching down, I take him in my hand and place him at my opening. Liam pushes in while pressing his lips to mine. I exhale loudly, feeling a sense of completion as he pushes fully inside me. I push my tongue into his mouth as he pulls out before moving back in, each movement grows quicker and I grip his shoulders while widening my legs more, wanting him to have full access to me. Taking Liam’s bottom lip in mine, I suck before releasing it, and throwing my head to the side for air, as he continues to rock back and forth inside me. I allow the feeling to take over all my senses.
Liam takes my hands in his, my focus returning to him, as he places my hands on either side of my head, our fingers entwined. Looking at him as he moves gently inside me has my heart ready to explode. I can’t look away from him, yet staring into those black orbs has me feeling like I’m on the edge of something. One blink and I’ll fall. Liam moves faster but not harder, it’s his gentle, yet powerful strokes that have me groaning. It’s the most vulnerable I’ve ever felt, he’s seeing me at my rawest, I’m giving him the purest part of me, not just my body but my soul. I need this to end; I need to come down off the wave I’m riding. Liam’s face tightens and I can tell he’s close to coming, so I let myself go with him. I let him take me over the edge and I cry out my release along with him. His seed fills me again and the need to cry overwhelms me. I’m glad when he buries his head in my neck, it gives me a moment. Liam stays like that for a while, and I find myself drifting off as I continuously run my fingers through his hair.
“It’s so soft,” I say out loud and he stirs. His eyes are heavy like he was asleep. His lazy smile has my stomach tightening.
“What’s soft?” He places a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Your hair.”
“I’ll tell you my secret for a kiss.”
I can’t stop the smile. “Always a trade off with you?”
“I always seize an opportunity.”
A laugh bubbles up my throat at his playful tone. I press my lips against his and the kiss lingers for a few seconds. When I lean out, he still wears that lazy smile like God made it just for his handsome face.
“I’m just lucky, “he says when the kiss ends. "My hair has always been soft.“
His playful eyes shine a stunning brown and I reach up and touch his hair again.
We are silent for a moment.
“I have to go.” Liam speaks softer than I have ever heard him speak before and fear slowly snakes its way into my bloodstream.
“Why don’t I like the sound of that.”
Liam doesn’t respond but removes himself from me. I’m too tired to move, so I just move up in the bed and pull the blanket up on me as I watch Liam get dressed.
“Everything will end tonight and you will be free. “His words should have made me happy, but they don’t.
“You're putting yourself in danger. “A lump catches in my throat.
“My life is dangerous. Svetlana. Tonight is no different.”
“It is. You are going against my uncle. “I shake my head. “Liam. I don’t want you to do this.”
He smiles as he returns to me fully clothed.
“Your concern is lovely, but I will be home.” He takes both my hands in his and kisses my left one first. “I will be home to you-“he kisses my right hand “- and our child.” The kiss sinks into my skin and it feels like it touches my heart.
I nod. “Okay.”
I had to believe that he would return to us. We stare at each other for a moment before Liam releases my hand and leaves me to count down the time until he returns.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LIAM
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sp; “Are all your men ready?”
Tom walks me over to a shed of cattle and I follow. The yard is clean. The concrete base beneath my feet had recently been swept. When we move closer to the cattle they take a step back deeper into the shed. Tom stops and I follow his gaze as he reaches down and opens a large green army bag. Inside, it’s filled with guns.
“They won’t know what’s coming.” He had enough to take out the Czech.
“How many men?” I ask Tom, while stepping away from the shed. I’ve already clocked three of them, watching me with weary eyes.
“We have ten ready to go.”
I nod and turn to Tom. “For Michael,” I say, stretching out my hand.
“For Michael and Margret,” Tom says while taking my outstretched hand. The three men around the yard shout out for Michael and Margret.
***
Shane is waiting in the car for me. I have my reservations about bringing him along, but I need someone I can trust.
“What happened?” Shane’s staring out the window, up at the shed where Tom and his men are loading into a black van.
“We are leaving now,” I say while starting the car.
“I do trust you, Liam. But, are you sure you can trust them?”
I start driving out of the farm yard. “No, I don’t trust him at all.”
“You know Darragh is pissed at being left behind.”
I glance at Shane. Darragh obviously hadn’t told anyone what our argument was about, but I didn’t want him with us. He was too emotional, and that was a dangerous thing around people like Novak.
“I need you to have a clear head Shane.” I glance in the rearview mirror to make sure Tom is following me. The large black van keeps two paces behind me.
“I do.” He sounds offended.
“You don’t. Stop worrying about Darragh’s feelings. You need to remember that the RA still has a hit on you.” Now I glance at Shane.