Page 159 of Between Secrets and Obsession

Repeating the words back felt so natural, because Idolove him. I’ve always loved him and there’s no denying how I’ve felt for years, but being in love with him is indescribable. It’s always been more than a stupid little crush, and I knew the first time we met there was a connection that neither of us could explain.

I refused to give up on us regardless of how much he wished I could. Being relentless paid off, but now we’re in a world of a mess, and I’m not sure how we’re going to get out of it.

Liam’s voice was both soft and gruff, and I could hear the concern in his words, but hopefully I was able to ease his mind. I’m safe now or at least I feel that way, but it doesn’t mean I won’t look over my shoulder to make sure we’re not being followed. I’ve been through too much to walk around blindly, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to again.

That’s the worst part about this whole thing. Even if Tyler’s plan works and Liam’s free and we’re able to go home, I’ll never truly feel like this is over. I’ll still jump at dark shadows and wonder if any of the O’Learys will come and finish the job for her instead. I know what Victoria is capable of, but I imagine her father is much worse. Even with the evidence Liam is going to present to her, who knows how she’ll react. She could shoot him right there, and then I’d be on the run for the rest of my life.

The dark thoughts cause a nervous shiver down my spine.

This will work, I reassure myself.It has to.

As I watch the headlights of the car reveal the narrow road ahead, I get lost in my head and close my eyes.

Eventually the car slows and we roll into a secluded parking lot. I must’ve drifted off because it’s now after seven in the morning and the sun’s up.

“Oh, look. Sleeping Beauty is awake,” Tyler teases. Glancing over at him, I notice how exhausted he is. I feel bad that he drove while I slept on and off.

“Where are we?”

“Portland.”

“Already?” I look back at the clock.

He told me where we were going when we first got on the road, and it seems we’ve made good time, though we’ve been driving for nearly nine hours. We only stopped for gas.

“I have some friends who live here. I trust them with my life, so I thought it’d be the safest place for us.” Tyler pulls his phone from his pocket and sends a text, then reclines his seat back before he closes his eyes. At one point, I offered to take over to give him a break, but he refused to let me.

Although I slept for a few hours, I’m still beat. When I open the car door, I get out and stretch. Tyler rolls down the window and barks at me. “What’re you doing? Get back inside.”

“Geez, I need a minute. My limbs feel like jelly.” I stand tall and raise my hands above my head allowing each vertebra to pop before bending over and touching my toes. Quickly, I do a few arm reaches, then get back in the car.

Tyler scowls. “We can’t be too safe right now. I don’t know all of Victoria’s connections, considering who her father is, or when she’ll put a search out for the both of us. Perhaps she has already. The fewer people we come across, the better, because she has the money to have us found.”

I glance around, not seeing a soul in sight. Not even a freaking bird in the sky. “There’s literally no one around us, but okay, I get it. Victoria kinda gave me PTSD too, especially after I found out she had me followed.”

“It makes me even more happy that she’ll be getting a taste of her own medicine soon. The problem with the O’Learys is no one questions or tests them. They play by their own rules and laws and aren’t used to anyone retaliating, other than the DeFrancos, which is why they don’t like each other. Everything’s gonna work out, Maddie, but we have to be smart and not make it too easy for her. I promise, she has the money to have the entire underworld searching for us by the time the sun sets again.” Before Tyler can say anything else, his phone buzzes with a text. He opens it and grins. “Finally.”

“What is it?”

He yawns. “We’ve got a condo setup on the other side of town for as long as we need.”

“How do you know all these people who are so willing to help?”

With a lifted eyebrow, Tyler smirks. “It’s probably best if you don’t know the answer to that question.”

I open my mouth, then close it, knowing even if I push him, he won’t crack. Tyler has given me enough information to feel as if I know him, but he’s still reserved and keeps a lot to himself. He’s more like Liam than he even realizes.

Readjusting his seat back to normal, he pulls us onto the main road. I can’t help looking at the tall buildings as we pass. Any other time, I’d want to explore it all and do the touristy type things in the city, but it’s not safe for us to be seen.

We arrive at a complex, and Tyler drives around to the backs. He turns off the car and sighs before looking at me. “Ready to see your new home for a bit?”

“As long as you continue to cook for me,” I taunt.

“We’ll see.”

I follow his lead once he gets out, grabbing our bags from the back seat. We walk down the sidewalk, and when Tyler punches a code into the door, it unlocks. Once inside, I’m shocked by how big and nice it is. This condo is equally as fancy as Victoria’s mansion, but not as large. It’s an open concept with hardwood floors, a giant TV, sectional sofa, and a loft that oversees the living room.

“Damn…whose place is this?”