Chapter Fourteen
Olivia
I take the mobile, but I already know by the way Bria’s eyes are fixed on Bully that she’s angry. And this video is why.
My thumb trembles as I press play. I sink onto the edge of the bed, barely breathing, as the unmistakable sound of breathy moans fills the room.
My frown deepens as the image sharpens. Them. Bully. Lila.
“I love you,” she whispers.
Bully steps forward. “Liv, what are you watching?” His voice is tight. He already knows. He’s heard that voice before.
I glance back at the screen just in time to see him yank her hair, turning her face toward the camera. Whoever is filming moves closer. She’s not shocked. She smiles for the camera.She knows she’s being filmed.
“Say it back,” she pants, dragging Bully’s mouth to hers. They kiss, and my stomach turns. My heart caves in. It’s passionate, hungry.
“Bitch needs her mouth filled,” the man behind the camera says with a laugh.
The screen goes black. Bully exhales, relieved it’s finished.
“It’s not over,” Bria says flatly as another video starts to play.
This time, Bully is asleep. Peaceful. Vulnerable. The camera pans slowly as Lila strips, tossing her clothes to the floor.
I knew she’d be beautiful. Somehow, that makes it worse. She winks at the camera.
“Liv, how is this helping?” Bully snaps. “Why would you show her this?” He rounds on Bria, his voice hot with anger. “Where did you even get it?”
“I was sent it,” she says, icy calm. “It’s all over the internet.” Her words slice through me, knowing that others will see my humiliation.
Onscreen, Lila climbs onto Bully, grinding against his body. He stirs. His eyes open, and when he sees her, he gives a sleepy smile. That smile. The one he gives me in the morning.
“I love you,” she breathes.
“I know,” he says back. “Now, fuck me.”
She starts to ride him, moaning. The camera wobbles as a hand reaches in, groping her.
I stop the video, and Bully drops to his knees before me, his fingers digging into my thighs like that’ll somehow stop me from leaving. Bria picks up my bag. “I’ve already packed. I’ll meet you downstairs,” she says, heading out the door.
“I’ll do anything to make it right,” he whispers desperately.
I watch the emotions play out on his face, but I can’t react. I’m numb. We’ve done this too many times. “You can’t make it right,” I mutter.
“I can. I told you, I’ve changed. Since her, there’s been no one.” I stand, and he wraps his arms around my legs, clinging to me. “Please don’t leave me, Liv.”
“Let go.”
“Please, I’ll do anything.”
“Let. Go.”
“I can’t keep you safe out there, darlin’. I’m begging you, don’t walk out that door. I’ll give you space. I’ll stay out your way.”
“Let go, Liam.”
He stills at that one word, and his grip loosens. He pushes to his feet, rushing to the door and blocking my path. “I’ve been an idiot too many times, never appreciating what I’ve got. But you’re it for me, Liv.”
I scoff. It slips out like I’ve lost control, and I laugh until tears fill my eyes. “I’m not it for you, Liam. I never was, and I’ve been fucking stupid to think I could change you. The truth is you don’t want to change. Not for me.”
“I’ll prove it. Give me one more chance.”
I shake my head. “No. There’s been too many chances.
Too many apologies. Too many pretty women you’ve been lost in.
And I am tired. Tired of coming second. Tired of you making me feel like I’m not enough.
So, I’m putting me first. Get out of my way or so help me, God, I will kill you with my bare hands. ”
He gives a wary look before stepping to one side. I push past and rush from the room, taking the stairs faster when I hear his heavy boots following.
Bria is by the door, and she offers me a sad smile as I join her, taking my bag. Taz appears, his eyes falling to the bags.
“Bria, talk some sense into her. I can’t keep either of you safe outside this club,” says Bully, swooping down to pick Misty up.
“We’ll take our chances,” snaps Bria.
I look Taz in the eyes. “I do not want this club to protect me,” I say firmly. “If you put a guy on me or so much as drive by me in the street, I’ll call the police and have you done for stalking.”
“You know that ain’t my call, Liv,” he mutters, glancing to Bully.
“You realise what you’re saying, Liv,” Bully snaps. “You may as well sign your own death warrant.”
“Goodbye, Liam,” I say, not quite meeting his eyes as I give Misty a quick stroke behind the ear. I was wrong about her—she fits here perfectly.
Bria grips my hand so tightly, I fear she’s cutting off my blood circulation as we rush across the car park outside. She taps away nervously on her phone to find an Uber. “You’re shaking,” I note.
She glances up. “Yeah, well, you never know how Bully’s gonna react. He’s unpredictable.”
“Who sent you the video?” I ask.
“Darren. Dagger. Whatever his fucking name is.”
“How did he get your number?”
“I have no idea, Liv, but I’m guessing he’s just as dangerous as Loverboy and has access to whatever he needs. For the record, I get to approve all future boyfriends.”
The gate slides open, and we step through it.
As it slides closed again, my heart hurts that little bit more.
It’s final. Finished. That’s when the tears really start, and Bria drops her bag, wrapping her arms around me.
“Oh shit,” she whispers, sounding panicked. “Don’t cry, Liv. He’s not worth it.”
I sniffle, laughing slightly. “How many times have you said that same sentence?”
She laughs too. “Far too many.”
The Uber pulls up, and Bria stuffs our bags in the boot before climbing in beside me. Luckily, I kept my apartment, which I’m thankful for. Maybe I always knew deep down I’d need it again.
Bria’s light snores make me smile as the credits roll on the film we’d been watching. I lower the volume and glance at her phone. Mine’s long gone, smashed by Bully in his jealous rage. I scoff. Wanker.
I pick it up and unlock it easily using her date-of-birth PIN. Predictable. I scroll through her contacts until I find it. Dagger.
Me: It’s Liv. I’m using my sister’s phone. I need to see you. Urgently.
The reply comes almost instantly.
Darren: On my way.
I stare at the screen like it might explain everything, but it doesn’t.
Then I hear it a minute later—the low, unmistakable rumble of a bike. My heart leaps as I rush to the window. The orange and black kutte confirms it’s Dagger, but I can’t let him come up here.
I scan the street instinctively, searching for signs of a Royal Bastard tail. If they’ve ignored me and someone is watching, it won’t be long before the entire club shows up.
Me: Not here.
Send.
Me: There’s a bar around the corner. Meet me there.
Darren: Your rules . . . for now.
I let out a shaky breath and delete the entire conversation. But my eyes linger on one of the videos. I swallow hard and toss the phone onto the table like it’s burned me. Some things you can’t unsee.
I slip out quietly, careful not to wake Bria. There’s no time to change. I’m still in joggers, hair twisted into a messy knot, and no makeup. Good. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.
The bar’s dim and smells like stale beer and cheap aftershave. A few heads turn when I shove the heavy door open, but they lose interest fast. Except one. Dagger.
He strolls over with that arrogant smirk. “So, we meet again,” he says, amused.
I brush past him without a word and take the farthest seat in the corner. He follows, lounging in the chair like it belongs to him. “What was so urgent, mama?” he drawls.
The nickname is irritating. The way it slides from his mouth makes my cheeks flush, and that only pisses me off more. “How did you get Bria’s number?”
He shrugs. “I have my ways.”
“And our address?” He grins wider. Smug bastard. I exhale sharply. “I’ve left Bully.” I don’t meet his eyes, just fix mine on the wall over his shoulder. “Am I safe now?”
He leans back, arms crossing over his thick chest. “Depends on what you mean by safe.”
“From the Scorpions?” I snap impatiently.
Dagger tilts his head, eyes skimming over me with deliberate slowness. “You always start conversations with a demand, mama, or am I just special?”
I bristle. “This isn’t a game.”
He leans forward, forearms resting on the table, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me. “That’s where you’re wrong. It’s exactly a game. And every player has their role.” He smiles, slow, wolfish. “Even you.”
“I just want to be left alone. I want Bria safe.”
He doesn’t respond right away. Instead, his eyes drop to my mouth then slowly trail down my body, lingering like he’s letting himself imagine what I’d look like under him.
He doesn’t hide it, and I hate the heat that creeps up my neck in response.
“Tell me something, Liv . . .” His voice lowers, velvet dirty.
“You come running to me in joggers, no makeup, hair a mess . . . was that your version of playing hard to get? Or are you just trying to convince me you’re not here to be fucked? ”
“I’m not,” I say, but it comes out too fast, too defensive.
He grins like he already knows the truth. “Screwing you while I’m burning your ex’s world to the ground could get messy.” He leans in, voice barely a whisper now. “But messy doesn’t scare me.”
I swallow hard and shift in my seat. “This isn’t about sex.”
“Everything’s about sex.” His grin vanishes. “Or revenge. Sometimes both.”
I shake my head. “You’re not going to give me a straight answer, are you?”
He shrugs. “You and Bria? Safe for now. But you’re standing in a war zone, Liv. The Royal Bastards made this personal. Bully made it lethal.”
“Why did you send Bria that video?”
His expression darkens, like a storm is creeping in behind his eyes. “Why do you think?”
“To punish me?”
He leans back again, the confidence oozing from his every pore. “If I wanted to punish you, I have more creative ways.” His eyes look almost black as he fixes me with a heated stare. “Just say the word.”