Page 168 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“Actually, you should probably come with us to California,” Liam tells him. “If Eric told her what you did, she’ll know you were the mole and come after you. At least until the divorce is finalized in a couple of months. Then hopefully everything will be cleared, and you’ll be safe to leave.”

“Probably for the best,” he agrees. “Though if she wants to play that card, I have plenty of other shit on her I can use. I followed her for weeks.”

A bad feeling surfaces up my spine, and I hate that Tyler could be in danger because of me.

“Aww, Beanstalk. We’ll be roomies again!” I gush, knowing it’ll annoy him.

“On second thought, I’m willing to risk Victoria finding me.”

“Haha.” I lean over and punch his arm. “You love me.”

“This might be a good time to call Sophie,” Liam states, and I swear my heart stops.

“Really? We can call her?”

He grabs his phone from his pocket and hands it over. “Yeah, let’s put her out of her misery.”

I’m giddy as hell when Sophie picks up on the second ring. “Liam?”

“It’s Maddie,” I tell her. “I’m with Liam.”

“Oh my God!” she shrieks. “Where the hell are you?”

“I can’t say right now, but I can tell you we’re both safe.”

“What do you mean? What’s going on?” She’s panicked, and I hate that we’ve had to lie to her.

“Soph,” Liam intervenes. “We’ll tell you everything once we’re home, but for now, we just wanted to let you know I had Maddie and we’re in a safe place.”

“Meaning she wasn’t before?” she scolds.

“We’ll explain when we can, okay?” I promise. “I miss you guys.”

“When are you coming home?” she asks. “I’ve been going out of my mind.”

“I know, and we’re both sorry about that,” I say.

“If all goes according to plan, we’ll be back in a week,” Liam says.

I smile at him, then grip his hand.

“Has everything been okay over there?” I ask.

“Besides me going nuts? Oh, yeah, sure.” She breathes out harshly. “Can I know this, did you really write that note and willingly leave?”

“No,” I confirm. “That was Victoria’s doing, which is why we can’t come home yet. So if she shows up, don’t let her in and call the police.”

“Is she really pregnant with twins?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn, so no kicking her ass.”

I snort. “No.”

“Are they Liam’s?” she hesitantly asks.

“No,” Liam answers without explaining more.