Page 124 of Renascence

“There’s no question about that, but I can’t risk you getting hurt.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears. “Can’t you see you’re the one hurting me?”

I don’t understand why he’s being like this. His brothers have women, wives. How dangerous can his life be? I move back to the bed, chiding myself. We want different things, and it’s time I accept that.

“Emily, this isn’t about heartache. I’m trying to keep you alive!”

I don’t respond, only turning my back to him as I lie down.

“You said I’m a protector. Well that’s what I’m doing—protecting you. Your name means ‘striving,’ so you’ll get through this, Em. You’ll move on, and one day I’ll just be a memory.”

Tears slide down my cheeks, wetting the pillow. Liam is strike three. I should accept that a happily ever after is not in the books for me. I’m destined to be alone.

“I want to know what happened.”

“Rico and Tyler picked me up at the bar.” I sigh, running through the events in my mind. “Before we even left the parking lot, we were surrounded. They took me to a back room in a restaurant. I didn’t see the guys until we were all back in the van.”

“Tell me everything,” he forces out the words.

“Vitalli said he was disappointed in me for not following instructions. One of the men smacked me around a bit, saying it was my punishment.”

“We have the men who grabbed you. Which one put his hands on you?”

“And if I tell you? What are you going to do with him?”

“They hurt you, Emily… used you as bait. Do you really want to know how this is gonna go?”

“No. I want to call the police.”

“Em—”

“You’ve made it abundantly clear that I’m not your woman,” I say, force behind my words. “That means you don’t get to make decisions like that for me. I’m calling the police.”

“That’s what you want? To do things legit?”

“Yes.”

I turn to him at the sound of numbers being dialed. His phone is on speaker, and after three rings, a woman picks up.

“Hughes residence.”

My mouth drops open. Liam takes a deep breath.

“It’s me. Liam.”

There’s a pause before the woman asks, “What do you want?”

Bitch.

“Nothing.” Liam grits his teeth.

“Then why have you called after all this time?”

“I need to speak to your husband about a case of his that I’ve been dragged into for some reason.”

“They found you,” she says, voice low and filled with surprise. “I didn’t think they would.”

“Not hard for someone who’s looking.” His mother doesn’t have a comeback, the line remaining silent. “Your husband?” he prods.