Page 138 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Words form in my mouth, but I swallow them down. I probably shouldn’t tell her to fuck off when I’ve accomplished walking on thin ice all week. I’m hoping my good behavior will allow me to get more intel. Maybe I can beat her at her own game, though I have a feeling she’s already a mile ahead of me. If anything, the O’Learys are strategic as hell. Well except for JJ.

She clears her throat, grabbing my attention again after I shoot down the alcohol and pour another double. I glance at her. “Can I help you?”

“The last thing you need to do is show up to this party drunk. It’s disrespectful to my father.”

“Sweetheart, it’s gonna take a lot more than a few shots, trust me.” I glare, put the bottle to my lips.

Placing it on the counter, I walk to my room and fall onto my bed, closing my eyes. I feel nothing. After a moment, Victoria barges inside, fury written on her face.

“Goddammit, Liam.” She crosses her arms and scowls. “You better be on your best behavior tonight.”

“Planned on it,” I snap. I’ve been agoodboy all fucking week.

“We leave in an hour,” she tells me before slamming the door behind her. I check the time on my phone and end up scrolling through the last text messages I sent Maddie, a shitty reminder of how things were left between us. Tendrils of turmoil suffocate me and I sit up, rubbing my hands over my face, trying to gain what little composure I have left. My sweet, innocent Maddie could be hurt right now, and the only person I can blame is myself. I miss her so fucking much that it hurts. I’d do anything to talk to her, but Victoria would never allow it, so I don’t bother pushing the subject.

Knowing I’ll need to impress the O’Learys tonight, I put on my costume of a suit and tie. It doesn’t take long before Victoria is screaming like the witch she is that it’s time to go.

The drive over is a blur and so is the dinner as she talks about all our plans to her family. Her father and grandmother sit around the table, along with a few cousins and her brother. I nod and smile like I’m supposed to, randomly leaning over to give her kisses while keeping my arm placed firmly around her petite body.

To anyone looking in, we’re the perfect couple starting a new life together. The reality is much more dreary than that because I’m nothing more than her prisoner. When she says jump, I’m required to ask how high.

“Two babies are a miracle, Victoria,” her grandmother says. She’s been talking about the pregnancy nonstop, which only vindicates Victoria further.

“Oh, it won’t be the last great-grandchildren you get. I want a big family,” she says, interlocking her fingers with mine. Smiling, I take a sip of wine to wash down the bile creeping up my throat. I glance at Victoria and notice she’s pale.

“You okay?” I whisper.

For a moment, she seems like a normal human being. “I feel sick. I don’t think the food agreed with me.”

“I have a big surprise for everyone,” her father announces, grabbing our attention. “I rented out the pub a few blocks down and sent out invites. I wanted a proper way to announce the pregnancy to our friends.”

Before Victoria can say a word, she begins dry heaving. Quickly, she stands and rushes to the bathroom, and I do as I’m supposed to and follow her. I grab the doorknob, but she locked it, so I press my ear against the door and listen to her emptying her stomach.

“Victoria, you alright?”

But she continues to puke. After five minutes of waiting, she opens the door with a cold rag pressed to her head. “I need to go home.”

“Okay, not a problem,” I tell her, and we walk back to the formal dining area.

“Sorry, Daddy. What were you saying?” she asks, taking a small sip of water.

“I rented the pub on the corner to celebrate, but you don’t look as if you’re up to it, princess.” He leans forward and kisses her cheek.

“No, Daddy. But I’ll send Liam to stand in, if that’s okay. Something I ate isn’t settling well, and I think I need to sleep it off.”

Concern is written across his face, but he concedes and tells her to lie down in his room instead of leaving. Victoria agrees, and I follow her down the hallway. The room is fit for royalty with a California king bed, gold fixtures, and carpet so plush it feels like I’m walking on clouds.

Victoria climbs on the mattress and settles under the comforter, placing the cool rag over her forehead and closing her eyes.

“Don’t embarrass me at that party,” she mutters.

“Is this a setup or are you really sick?” I heard her throw up, but I still don’t trust her. She’s used shady ass tactics before.

Victoria grunts. “Fuck you, Liam. I feel like shit.”

I hold up my hands. “Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t keep everyone waiting.” Then rolls over on her side, dismissing me. I click on the lamp next to the bed and turn off the main light, then walk out. At least if I want to leave the party, I’ll have an excuse, so that’s a plus. Maybe being alone with her family will be a good thing. I won’t have her beady eyes watching everything I do or listening to every word I say.