34. Liam
Anger continues to flow through my veins with each pound of my fist on the bag. My knuckles are swollen and bloodied, and my muscles scream in pain, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. This is my punishment.
I fucking agreed to Declan’s demand of stopping what has been going on with Emily, just like I did with her father and I’m bloody furious with myself. He’s not wrong in saying she’s been through enough.
I know she has. But over the last couple of weeks, she’s started to put on weight, she’s willing to leave her room and has actually been showing emotion.
It’s been days since I’ve spoken with her because Declan keeps putting me on a bunch of assignments. My texts have gone unanswered, and it has me on edge. On top of that, she’s still relying on medication more than she should and any time I bring it up, she all but eats me alive.
My arm gives out when it connects with the punching bag.
“Let it all out?” Declan’s voice sounds from behind me, and I bite down on my tongue.
My arms hang loosely at my sides, and I twist my neck and roll my shoulders, eliciting popping sounds from the joints.
Declan is standing with his legs wide, and arms crossed over his chest when I turn around to face him.
“Do you have an assignment for me?” I ask, avoiding his question. I’m lacking patience for his bullshit right now and I don’t need a bullet in the head today.
His eyes narrow as he studies me. “Not today.”
I nod, then turn to where I set my water bottle. After I’ve quenched my thirst and wiped the sweat from my brow with a rag. I turn back to Declan.
“I mean this with the least amount of disrespect I can muster but fuck you.”
His features harden but he doesn’t say a word, so I continue.
“I walked away from Emily when your da was still alive and I regretted it. I can’t do it again, boss. I can’t.” I shake my head. “Emily… Emily is everything. I can’t live without her.”
The sound of the door shutting draws mine and Declan’s attention. Rhys walks in, his eyes pivot between the two of us and he raises a brow.
“All good?” he asks.
Declan ignores him and returns his attention to me. The tension in the room rises and the hair on the back of my neck starts to stand on end.
“I’m not lettin’ her go this time.” I keep my voice strong, and my chin raised.
“Oh…” Rhys’s voice trails off as he steps up to Declan’s side. He puts his hands in his pockets and watches Declan’s features closely.
“What do you mean you walked away when my da was still alive?” Declan’s voice is calm, but his posture is tight.
“Emily and I had a relationship two years ago. Your father found out and threatened to kill me in front of her if it continued.” I shake my head in shame and let out a sigh. “I allowed my insecurities to get in the way of the best thing that ever happened to me then and I refuse to allow you to take her from me now.”
“Dec –.” Rhys starts but is interrupted when Declan holds his hand up. His jaw clenches and unclenches as he glares at me.
“I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way when it comes to Emily. Including you.”
Rhys’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull.
“Is that a threat?” Declan finally growls.
I smirk. “It’s a promise.”
He steps into my space with his hackles raised but I don’t back down. I maintain eye contact—something I should have done in the past with their da.
“You’re not worthy of my sister.”
“I know I’m not. But I will spend the rest of my life worshipping the ground she walks on.”
“Dec, Emily has been doing better with Liam around.”
Declan whips around toward Rhys who holds his hands up.
“I’m not saying to approve of this. That’s your decision. All I’m saying is to watch her for yourself.”
He huffs a breath, shakes his head, and then growls.
His fist connects with my face so fast that I don’t have time to react. When I turn my head back to him, his pistol is raised and pointed at my head. I stand taller and move to press my forehead against the barrel.
His eyes flare in surprise.
Rhys stands completely still, waiting for Declan to make his move.
“Beat the shite out of me, carve into my flesh – feck – rip my eyes out of my skull. Nothing you do will keep me from making her mine.” He presses the gun harder into my skin. “Do it. If you truly don’t approve of this. Then do it. Because I promise you, right here and now, I’ll fight for her until my last breath.”
Declan’s muscles shake with rage, but he lowers the gun. His icy glare remains in place when he leans into my face.
“We’ll see.” He says through clenched teeth and leaves the gym.
Rhys lets out a breath I didn’t know he was holding and shakes his head. Walking up to me, he punches my arm and I grunt.
“You definitely got some balls on you kid. I thought for sure we’d have to clean for brain off the floor.” He chuckles under his breath, but I don’t laugh.
“I meant every word.”
I unwrap my hands and stretch my fingers.
“I know you did. Now the question you need to ask yourself is, what are you doing to show Emily you’re not pussying out this time?”
I glare at him from the corner of my eye.
In truth, I have no idea. I haven’t spoken a word to her or seen her in days. Does she think I gave up like before?
Ignoring his question, I pack my things and head to my room.
I need to come up with a way for Emily to know that she is it for me.