Chapter Thirty-Three
MADDIE
Ever since Liam confirmed he got the computer, I’ve barely breathed as we wait for the news that he’s confronted her. Not knowing what’s being said or how Victoria’s reacting fuels my anxiety. Liam can take care of himself, but she’s a fucking psycho.
What if she lets him leave but then retaliates ten times harder? She has an abundance of resources and money and could end all of us with a snap of her fingers.
From the phone conversation with Liam and what Tyler has told me, there’s enough evidence of her affair that would shun her from the family. But will it be enough for her to let Liam go and give him a divorce? I can’t help but feel like no matter what he does or says, it’ll never be over.
After an hour of pacing in the bedroom and doing some yoga, I try out the bathtub which hopefully helps calm my mind. I’m too worked up to sleep. I won’t be able to rest until Liam’s here, and I can feel his heartbeat and warm skin against mine.
“Maddie?” My eyes bolt open at the sound of Tyler’s voice on the other side of the door.
“Yeah?”
“Doing okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be out in a moment,” I call out and realize how cold the water around me feels. Shit, I must’ve dozed off.
Once I’m dry, I change into my last pair of clean leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater, then make my way into the living room. If we’re going to be here a while, I’ll need some supplies and a washer and dryer.
Victoria’s bathroom was stocked full of beauty products, and I was able to do my laundry there every few days. Considering I couldn’t bring a lot of things with me, I’ve been limited on my wardrobe.
“Tyler?” I ask when I don’t see him sitting on the couch.
“Kitchen,” he shouts.
“Are you making me your delicious eggs and bacon?” I chuckle though it’s closer to lunch. My nap in the tub was over two hours long and my skin’s all pruney now. “Though, I’m kinda in the mood for—”
I stop dead in my tracks when I turn the corner and see Liam leaning against the counter. His ankles are crossed with his arms over his chest, looking sexy and confident as hell. Dark bags are under his eyes and his hair is a hot mess, but I love it when it looks like that.
Swallowing hard, I blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining things.
“Liam?”
“Get your ass over here, woman,” he demands with a boyish smile.
I rush over and leap into his arms. He easily catches me as I wrap my legs around his waist and cling to his neck. Liam holds me tight as I inhale his scent and hold back tears at how happy I am to see him.
Alive.
“How are you here right now?” I ask, pulling back, and he sets me down on my feet. My hands remain on his chest as he holds me close. “I didn’t expect you to come so soon.”
“I couldn’t stay away another fucking day, Mads.” Then he cups my face and brushes his mouth over mine, soft at first, but when I part my lips, he slides his tongue between and dances with mine.
“Third wheel over here.” Tyler groans, and I burst out laughing, breaking the kiss.
Tyler looks at Liam. “Can’t tell you how relieved I was to know Maddie was real after hearing you go on and on about her for weeks. I thought maybe you made her up or she was a figment of your imagination.”
“Dude,” Liam says. “Bro code?”
“You gushed about me, huh?” I tease, smiling so wide I can’t control it.
“How do you think I knew who you were right away?” Tyler snickers. “He painted a very clear visual of what you looked like, how you talked, the way you shake your ass when you walk.”
“Oh my God!” I squeal, playfully swatting Liam’s chest.
Tyler chuckles when Liam shoots him a death glare.
“He’s messing with you. And me.”
Tyler shrugs. “It’s too easy.”
“Real cool, Beanstalk. Now I don’t feel bad you’re sleeping on the sofa.”
Liam’s head falls back with uncontrollable laughter. “Go figure, you’ve known him for two weeks and already given him a freaking nickname.”
I throw my hand toward Tyler who’s mixing pancake batter in a bowl. “Look at him, he’s a giant! It’s a proper one at least.”
“Yeah, Hulk,” Tyler singsongs.
“If I didn’t owe you my life, I’d deck you right now,” Liam taunts, keeping his arm around me.
“Which means I have lifetime privileges to tease the ever-living shit out of you,” Tyler retorts.
Liam smirks, then scoops me up. “You’re right, man. Now excuse me while I properly reunite with my girlfriend.”
Tyler grimaces. “Seriously?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll keep it down.” Liam chuckles, then carries me to the bedroom.
I’d feel bad for leaving Tyler all by himself, but I need time alone with Liam right now.
“Tell me what happened,” I say as he walks into the bedroom, then kicks the door shut. “I’ve been anxious thinking about how it went down.”
He sets me on my feet, then gently cups my face. “I will, but we need to talk about us first.”
We have a lot to discuss, considering everything that’s happened since the last time we were together.
Liam cradles my face, bringing our foreheads together. He sucks in a breath. “I was so distraught when I thought you left and wouldn’t talk to me.”
“Imagine how I felt when I heard Victoria was pregnant.” My stomach sinks remembering that moment.
Liam’s face drops. “Mads, I know, and I’m so goddamn sorry.”
“I only agreed to leave for your sake,” I tell him. “She would’ve punished you even more if I hadn’t obeyed. It was the only way to save you from her wrath, because I knew she was capable of hurting us all if she didn’t get her way.”
Liam shakes his head, cupping my cheeks. “I don’t deserve you. I hate myself so much for lying to you and fucking things up between us. You deserved to hear it from me, but—”
“Your heart was in the right place,” I finish for him, resting my palm on his chest. “Now knowing the truth, that they aren’t yours and how she used you to facilitate this whole picture-perfect family, I understand you were just trying to protect my feelings.”
“I never want to hurt you.” His hand wraps around my neck, pulling me against his chest before pressing a single kiss to the top of my head.
“These past two weeks were the worst ones in my life. You’re all I could think about, and it was the thought of finding you that got me through every miserable day.
I hated that you were blackmailed into leaving, but once I knew Tyler was with you, I was more determined than ever to get back to you. ”
Liam’s voice is sincere, and I hate how we were both thrust into this madness. I have to hope it’ll only make us stronger, though.
“Please let me make this right. Tell me we can get through this. I can’t lose you.”
“You have some groveling to do,” I taunt, but when we lock eyes, I see the heavy emotion in his gaze.
Liam’s rarely vulnerable and remains strong on the outside, but this Liam looks more broken than I’ve ever seen him.
Then he surprises the shit out of me when he falls to his knees and grips my hips with his strong hands. “I’ll do anything. I meant what I said on the phone. You know I’ve never been in a relationship before and have definitely never told a woman those words before.”
My eyes water at this tender side of him.
I can’t stay mad at him. He told me the truth when I found the photo of the target over my face, and although I was blindsided by Victoria, he’d never intentionally hurt me.
Liam’s all I’ve ever wanted. He’s not perfect, and both of us will screw things up sometimes, but it takes a real man to admit and apologize when he does.
“We’ll get through this,” I assure him, leaning down to softly brush my lips against his. “She can’t break us apart.”
Liam pulls me toward him and deepens the kiss.
“Thank God. She’s fucked so much. I don’t know what I’d do if she ruined my chances after I finally got you.”
His sincere words hit me straight in the gut. For years, I fought for Liam, but here he is, fighting like hell for me, so I’ll give him another chance to make things right.
He stands and holds me. It feels so good to be back in his arms. I soak in his touch that I’d been so desperate to have again.
“Before I knew Victoria had something to do with you leaving, I thought you’d left me,” he confesses. “I was going out of my mind thinking that I’d fucked everything up for good. I’ll make all of this up to you.” He brings his forehead to mine. “I love you, Mads.”
“Say it again.”
The corner of his lips twitches as we lock eyes.
“I’m in love with you, baby. I love you so much that my chest physically aches when I think about how much you mean to me and what losing you would do to me.
” He licks his lips, swallowing hard. “Being separated put a lot into perspective, like how much time I wasted avoiding how I felt, or thinking you were better off with someone else. Though I will always believe you’re too good for me, there’s no one who could ever love me the way you do.
I’m one lucky son of a bitch who gets to have you. ”
The tears I was holding back fall at his heartfelt confession—one I wasn’t sure I’d ever get from him—but now my entire world feels complete.
I grab his face and smash my lips to his.
“I’ve waited four years to hear that.” I grin against his mouth. “I love you, too. More than I can comprehend, which scares me sometimes, but it’s you. It’s always been you.”
“I can’t tell you how goddamn sorry I am for…
” He pauses briefly as if it pains him to talk about how much he hurt me.
“God, everything. Should’ve never kept secrets from you, and I promise I never will again.
I told you I’d inevitably screw things up, but with you, I want to do better.
You deserve the very best version of me, and that’s exactly what you’re gonna get. ”
“You made a mistake, Liam,” I assure him. “But the important thing is learning from it and leaning on each other. We’ll stay strong together.”
“You’re truly amazing, Mads.” Liam dips his head and kisses me, our arms and bodies tangling together as he walks us toward the bed.