Page 122 of Royal Deception

But then he scoffs, his mouth twisting in disbelief as he looks at the envelope in his hand. “You think I’m just gonna be your bodyguard for cash?” His tone is sharp, mocking. “I don’t do babysitting for the Volkovs.”

I take a step closer, my voice quiet but urgent. “It’s not that simple, Liam. I’m not asking for favors. I’m asking for your protection. Because you’re the only one I trust who can get me out of this mess.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “What the hell could possibly have you so scared?”

I hesitate for a moment, gathering my courage. “When Anatoly was arrested, his lieutenants went on a rampage. They thought someone leaked the information, and they went through every last detail to figure out who did it. They looked into everything, and…”

I let the words hang for a moment, giving him a chance to process what I’m about to say.

“They found out it was my keycard. The one used to access Anatoly's office the night the information went missing.”

Liam freezes, his eyes narrowing as the weight of my words hits him. His grip on the envelope tightens, but he doesn’t say anything for a long moment.

“You’re telling me you were the one who…” His voice trails off, disbelief still laced with suspicion.

I shake my head quickly, desperate to make him understand. “No, Liam, I swear I didn’t leak anything. I’m being framed. Someone planted the evidence to make it look like I was the one who accessed the office, but I didn't do it.”

His eyes harden, his expression still guarded. “You’ve always had a knack for weaseling your way out of situations, haven’t you?”

I flinch at the accusation, but I push through it. “I’m not lying about this. I don’t want this—any of it. But they’ve turned everything against me, and now my father…” I trail off, my throat tightening as the weight of reality hits me. “Liam, I think Anatoly has put a hit out on me.”

His brows furrow in confusion, but he doesn’t seem fully convinced. "That’s your problem, Annika. You’ve always made your messes. Now you deal with them."

I feel my chest tighten, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me as I swallow hard. “I can’t deal with this alone. I don’t even know how to survive this.” My voice cracks, and I see the hard edges of his expression begin to soften just slightly. “I know you want nothing to do with me anymore, but… I don’t have anyone else. Not like you. Please, I need your help.”

Liam shifts his weight, clearly uncomfortable with my desperation, but he doesn’t turn away. “So, what’s the deal, then? You want me to protect you from your father and his people? You want me to risk everything for you?” He exhales, clearly frustrated. “I’m not some hired gun anymore. I don’t do that shit.”

I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes, and I know I’m pushing it. But I can’t hold back any longer. “I didn’t want any of this, Liam. But after you and I broke up… after everything fell apart…” I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. “I found out I was pregnant.”

The words hang in the air, and Liam’s face betrays nothing. His mouth opens, then closes as if searching for the right response, but none come.

“You had a kid?” he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, finally meeting his gaze with all the vulnerability I’ve been hiding for so long. “Yeah. We have a daughter, Liam.”