Page 146 of Between Secrets and Obsession

He doesn’t approve of Ty treating me like a human being, that much is obvious, but why does he have to be such a dick?

I set my drink down and awkwardly leave the kitchen. The air is still and silent, and after I walk a few steps, I freeze at the sound of Eric’s voice.

“Victoria’s getting impatient with your behavior. She’s sending a replacement in a couple of days and wants you to start packing for your departure,” Eric tells him.

What?No!

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Ty argues. “Just because I’m not an asshole to her doesn’t mean I’m not obeying orders.”

“You’re getting too close,” Eric says. “Which means you’ll think twice about taking care of the situation, if needed.”

What the fuck does that mean?

My skin goes ice cold.

Is Victoria ever going to let me out of here? I’m afraid to even think about the answer to that because deep down in my gut, I know there’s only two possibly ways I’m leaving this place— in a body bag or escaping.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LIAM

I’ve slept better now knowingTyler is with Maddie. Though I’m still stuck in this fucking hellhole with Victoria, her threats bounce off me a lot easier. It’s been two weeks since everything imploded in my face and I lost Maddie, but I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get her back. To prove my love and loyalty.

Victoria, on the other hand, is on my last fucking nerve, and I’m using all the willpower I can to keep from telling her off and risking everything. I don’t know what Tyler’s plan is, so I can’t act until he does. I contemplate texting him, but I have a feeling he’s not allowed to use his personal phone, or if he is, it’s probably being watched. Either way, I’m in limbo waiting for his next move.

“Good morning, hubby,” Victoria singsongs as she walks into the kitchen wearing lingerie. I roll my eyes when she grabs food and juice from the fridge. “I was thinking we should do some shopping today. We need to register for the babies and get some stuff for their nursery. Daddy wants to buy their cribs, and Nana wants to buy a double stroller, but we’ll need a lot more than that. Plus, I want some new bras.”

I clench my jaw, swallowing down the words I want to say. “Isn’t it a little early for all of that?”

Victoria spins around and glares at me. “It takes time to get everything together, Liam,” she snaps. “I want to repaint and have new carpet installed. Then there’s research for the right equipment–baby monitors, bottles, bassinets, pacifiers, changing tables. We need to make sure we get the right brands.”

Narrowing my eyes over my coffee cup, I take a sip and scowl. She knows damn well there’s no “we” in this situation, but she pushes it every chance she gets.

“I’ve been here long enough. I need to get back to work,” I tell her, setting down my mug.

“Youneedto be here with your pregnant wife,” she retorts, pouring herself a glass of apple juice.

“Your grandmother went back to New York, and your dad is plenty convinced. What more do you need?”

“I need you to move here.”

“That wasn’t the deal,” I remind her, and I’m starting to sound like a broken record. “I still want a paternity test.”

“And I want to know why you were asking my dad about what family properties we own,” she abruptly changes the subject. How the hell does she even know that?

I groan as the memory of JJ being at the bar surfaces, and there’s no doubt he overheard the conversation and told her. I dream of the day I’ll get to kick his fucking ass.

“What’s wrong with talking to your father? Isn’t that what you want anyway? We get close, and he believes our marriage is legit?” I ask, shrugging off her suspicions.

She inches closer, leaning her elbows on the countertop and showing off her breasts. “I’m not a goddamn idiot, Liam. I know what you were fishing for and you better stop before you regret it.”

I smirk, knowing Maddie will be fine as long as Victoria isn’t near her. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked, now let me go home. I have a life I need to get back to.”

Victoria pats my head as if I’m a small child. “Shopping first.” Then she takes my cup and pours the rest of my coffee down the sink. “Go get dressed. We leave in thirty.”

After I’m showered and ready for what’s surely going to be an awful day, I wait in the living room. I’m tempted to take my shit and leave right now, but knowing she’s able to make my life a living hell, I stick around. Playing this fucking game is getting old, and I really do need to get back to work, but Maddie’s safety is my top priority. If that means parading around the city as Victoria’s husband and buying baby shit, then I’ll do it all day long.

But I don’t have to be happy about it.