Page 146 of An Inevitable Marriage

You’re just overwhelmed, I told myself.There’s nothing to be afraid of. And there wasn’t. Shane was still in jail, and Liam’s grandfather had somehow dropped off the face of the earth.

Everything had been good—no, better than good, great—over the last two weeks. And maybe that was the problem? Or maybe my overactive imagination—fueled by action-packed, angsty books—was running away with me.

I decided it was the latter and shook my head at my silliness and walked out of the bathroom. I was halfway down the hall when I heard it.

“Evie?”

And there it was, the shoe I’d been waiting for to drop. Stopping in my tracks, I slowly spun around to see Anthony approaching me. He looked…different, and not in a good way either. His blue shirt was wrinkled and half untucked, his brown cargo pants in pretty much the same condition.

His once neatly combed hair stood out in every which direction, and I swear, his face seemed to have aged by years.

“You look good,” he said, stopping in front of me. “So good.”

I honestly had nothing to say to him, so I just tilted my head and turned around. Before I could take a single step away from him, he grabbed my wrist and held me in place.

“Let go,” I warned.

“Evie, baby, I screwed up. I know that now. I’ve seen the error of my ways, and if you come back, I swear—”

“Come back?” I yanked my arm free from his grasp. “You seriously can’t be delusional enough to believe I’d ever come back to you. You never deserved me. I’m just sorry it took me this long to realize it.”

Again, he tried to reach for my arm, but before his hand found purchase, a big body stepped between us.

“Touch my wife again, and it’ll be the last time you touch anything.”

Ignoring my husband’s hard words, Anthony peered around Liam’s shoulder to glare at me. “Really, Evie? This is the type of man you’re shacking up with? Did he tell you what he did? Did he?”

I stepped out from behind Liam’s back and tucked my hand into his. To Anthony, I said, “I don’t care what he did. All that matters is the way he makes me feel.” And just because I wanted to be petty, I leaned forward and added, “And the way he makes me scream.”

The way his eyes widened and his mouth popped open was enough of a win for me.

Peeking up at Liam, I jerked my head toward the ballroom. “Shall we?”

“Well,” Anthony yelled before we could turn and leave. “This man bought our apartment building and decided to throw me out on the street. And not just that, he cost me my job and made sure no one else would hire me.”

My gaze shot to Liam.

Eyes sparkling, one corner of his mouth curved upward and he slowly lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I can’t stand dirty fucking liars.” Then, the man stole my breath when he leaned down and took possession of my mouth.

Yes, possession. He kissed me like he was ready to strip my clothes off and have his way with me right there. He kissed me like he never wanted to let me go.

Somewhere in the distance, Anthony muttered something, but by the time Liam and I reluctantly pulled apart, he was nowhere to be seen.

Couldn’t say that I minded.

“Did you really acquire that apartment building to throw him out?”

Liam’s grin was wide and magnificent. “I did.”

A laugh bubbled up my throat. “Wow.”

Cupping my cheek, he leaned closer. “If you give me the names of all your exes, I promise to give them the same treatment.”

“Oh my goodness.” I gently swatted his chest. “That will absolutely not be necessary.” I held his gaze, my heart doubling in size the longer we stared at each other. “I love you.”

He released a ragged breath and squeezed his eyes shut. “Say it again?”

It was my turn to take his face in my hands. “Look at me.” When those blue eyes found mine, I smiled wide. “I loveyou.”