Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I pulled him into my arms and held him tight, wishing the console wasn’t in the way, wishing I could just take him home. “Baby, that’s not your fault, not at all.”
“I should have been more alert.”
“You weren’t sleepy. You weren’t drunk. You did all you could.”
“That’s what people tell me, but I just…I can’t accept it.”
The anguish in his eyes made my chest feel tight. I hated that he was carrying this burden, and I didn’t like how a car had just appeared out of nowhere. I was naturally suspicious in my line of work, but that didn’t mean something wasn’t off. As soon as I could, I was going to look into the accident and see if I could learn anything that might give Liam more closure. “What happened to the other driver?”
“He ran. I only have vague memories of things after we were hit, and I don’t know how reliable they are, but I think he got out of the car, looked right at me, then took off. He was never found.”
“What?” How the hell had there not been a thorough investigation?
“The police looked for him, or at least they said they did, but he was never found.”
“That’s fucking bullshit. I’m going to find him and make him pay.”
“How? It’s been two years. If he wasn’t found that night or the next day, how will you find him now?”
“My family has resources the police don’t have access to. I also don’t have to follow any rules.”
“Val, just leave it alone. I…I’m trying not to think about it every fucking day.”
I brushed my fingers over his cheek. “Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded and pulled away. I let him go. I wouldn’t tell him what I was doing, but I was going to figure out exactly what happened and find the man responsible.
“I’ve got some work to do this morning, but after that, I’m going to find you an apartment. You’ll pay the rent and buy a reasonable amount for food with your earnings and only give me what’s left over.”
Liam scowled at me. “I’m not accepting an apartment from you. I can live wherever I choose to as long as I’m paying off the loan.”
“Liam, you can’t stay in a storage unit.”
“I can and I will. As long as I show up to work on time and do the job I have agreed to do, that’s all you can ask of me. I owe you money, and we made an agreement on how I can pay that back. An apartment isn’t part of that.”
I wasn’t going to let him starve to death or die of a heat stroke. “I want to help you.”
He glared at me. “You want my money, and you want to fuck me. Let’s keep it at that.”
Did he really think that? I grabbed his arm and yanked him toward me. Items spilled from the grocery bags, but I ignored them. I pulled him so close our lips were nearly touching.
“I know that’s not all you feel when I’m inside you. When I touch you, everything changes. You know that. It has nothing to do with debts or payments. Do you think I’d pay someone else what I pay you just for a fuck? Hell no. I’m making sure you can pay off this loan faster as long as you work for me.”
Tears began to run down his cheeks, and I knew I was fucking up again. He just made me so furious trying to deny what was happening between us.
“I did feel something when we were together, but I also know I’m property to you, a possession. You want to run my life the way you control me in that private room. I can’t handle that. I can’t give up the last bit of freedom I have. You’ve taken everything else from me. This is my choice.”
I growled. “You’re so fucking stubborn.”
“My sister would agree with you there.”
“Tell me about your sister?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about her now.”
I forced myself to let him go. I wasn’t going to lose control with him again. “Bring the generator to Pound and plug it in to let it charge. I better not find out you’re sleeping here without a fan running. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.” He practically spat the words at me, but I chose to ignore it.
“My brother, Vito, is running the club for me for the next few weeks, so you won’t be seeing me.” He looked back at me, and I saw sadness in his eyes. I hoped he would miss me.
26
LIAM
Why did Val’s statement feel like a punch to the gut? Even though he said he wouldn’t be at the club, I knew I’d be looking for him when I was on stage. It had become a habit.