CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
BIANCA
The bell over the front door of the animal shelter jingles, and I smile at the familiar doggy smell.
I get some smiles my way, and then the bell jingles once more, and someone grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers.
Looking up at Liam, he smiles down at me as we walk hand in hand for the first time toward the back to clock in for a shift.
As we walk into the break room, Rachel waves at us, then her eyes drift down. “And when did this happen?” She’s wearing a huge grin, and a blush spreads across my face when Liam moves to answer.
“Unofficially, ages ago. Officially, last night.”
She chuckles and nods. “Well, you guys look pretty cute.” At that, her radio rumbles and we look at her, knowing who it’s about.
“This dog will be the death of me.” She sighs as Liam and I laugh.
He gives me a sweet kiss as he heads to the kennels and I go to the vet room.
I put on some paper scrubs, moving to wash up.
I observe Penelope and the technicians helping Daisy, our momma dog, give birth.
The heat of the moment causes sweat to drip down my back, a drop smudging my notes a bit.
The fan above us does nothing but provide a creaky sound every couple of seconds.
Penelope mumbles something, and one of the techs hands her a tool in an instant, efficiency being of the utmost importance.
“You see, Bianca,” she acknowledges me, and I make a move to get closer.
“The most rewarding thing I can do is save a dog’s life, but most importantly, it’s when I help our pups get from there to here, safe and sound.
” At that, small whimpers fill the room and I smile when I see four little border collies, all whining as they settle next to their mother.
The vet techs begin to write their reports and I look down at the little puppies, joy filling my heart.
I lean against Liam’s side as Sam huffs and moves his head on my lap as I continue to pet him.
“So, Penelope told me you were in the room for the birth today.” Glancing up at him, he gives me a sweet smile when I raise an eyebrow. “Word spread really fast about you and me, hence her saying something.” He gives me a kiss on my forehead.
I run my hands through Sam’s fur and I look down at the sweet boy. His tongue is out a bit, his eyes are brighter than I’ve seen them, and my heart thumps. “Penny for your thoughts?” Liam asks.
“I wish I could adopt Sam.”
His brow furrows. “Why don’t you? I’m sure Ms. Kate would love—”
I cut him off, “I don’t only live with Mom anymore, remember?”
Liam’s smile drops into a frown and he looks off to the side. “Then, we’ll adopt him,” he simply says, and my head snaps up; Sam’s does as well, even though he doesn’t understand what’s going on.
“What? No, we can’t do that.” I sigh, not believing this is a true proposition. “Liam, first off, the moment Ana sees him, she’ll want to adopt four more, or keep Sam for herself. William practically has to pry her away from all the dogs she encounters.”
He laughs. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“And we can’t keep him at my house because Josh hates animals, said so himself. Besides, we’re going to Mella Colta soon, and—”
“Then, we’ll take him with us.” I give him a faux glare and he sighs.
“In all seriousness, Mom will love that we keep Sam at the house. We have more than enough room, and when we do go to college, I want to move in with you.” I gasp at that and he gives me a smug smile.
“Don’t act like you didn’t see this coming.
Sure, we’ve been officially dating for a day, but we’re not a normal couple.
I’ve wanted to live with you forever, and besides, I can rent us a place close by campus.
The best part being that I’d get to wake up next to you every day.
” My heart beats a little faster and I place my head on his chest, huffing at this stubborn boy.
“So, is that a yes?” I rub Sam’s face, cooing at him before finally looking up at Liam.
“Taking care of a dog is a lot of work . . .” He probably thinks that it’s a no, but then I sigh with a small smile. “But in the meantime, I’ll definitely consider it.”
His face lights up and he whispers, “And the whole moving in with me when we start school?”
“I love how you snuck that in there.”
“I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”
I chuckle, grabbing his face. “I would love to spend my mornings with you, Liam Parker.” He pulls me closer and kisses me, happiness thrumming in my veins.
“Mm, Freckles, as much as I wanna stay out here with you, it’s late and you need sleep.
” I pull back, my body sandwiched between his legs as he leans against the hood of his car.
We’re parked in front of my house, and have been for a while, but I don’t want to go inside.
My nose rubs against his and he smiles at the gesture.
“I know, I know,” I mumble, unable to resist leaning in for another kiss.
Can this boy get any more addicting?
I wrap my arms around him, my fingers drifting to the hairs on the back of his neck, and he sighs. Reluctantly, he pulls back, smiling as he rubs a thumb across my cheekbone.
“Just so you know, you’re never getting rid of me. We’re stuck together, Ms. Harrison,” he murmurs, and I grin at him.
“You know, I think I’ll be good with that, Mr. Parker.” A small smile makes its way to my face, but then he pulls back a little more as we see a car’s headlights approaching quickly. Grabbing my hand, he walks us up the driveway as the person driving weaves around.
“Josh’s car,” I mutter. Josh steps out, and Liam’s guard goes up as the smell of alcohol wafts through the air. My jaw drops at that, as I’ve never seen Josh drunk, ever. He sneers when he sees us, his dress shirt untucked, tie yanked low.
Something isn’t right.
He passes by us without saying a word and we don’t say anything either. As the front door slams, I take a deep breath and Liam looks at me, confused. The lights flick on and I hear Mom’s voice from inside.
A cold sweat breaks out across my back and a coil of dread starts in my stomach. I push away from Liam and he stalks behind me as we get closer to the front door. The yelling grows and I swing the door open. Josh’s eyes are red, Mom is cowering slightly, and I freeze.
I don’t think there’s been a single moment in my life where I’ve experienced fear as intense as when I got into a car accident.
I was only five years old, but to this day, I remember every single thing.
The feeling of dread, of impending fear, and it all comes rushing back when I see Josh’s hand connect with Mom’s cheek, the sound echoing through the space.
I gasp and Liam shoves me in a dark corner of the foyer. “Stay here. You understand me?” I nod shakily and he kisses my forehead before moving into the living room. Mom looks up at Josh, shock and fear alive in her features, but before he can hit her again, Liam interrupts.
“Don’t you dare put another hand on her.” He stops Josh’s arm, throwing it back at him as he stands in front of Mom, her hand cradling her cheek.
“This is my family, and I will do as I please.”
I can’t move a single inch and a warm tear runs down my face.
“I’m done.” Mom’s voice is crystal clear, and my head snaps up at that. She moves from in front of Liam, but he stays next to her while Josh stands there like a predator ready to pounce.
He lets out a calm chuckle. “What did you say?” Liam shifts to move closer, but Mom holds out a hand.
Pulling out my phone, I text Ana.
I need you and William to come to the house. Bring the police, please.
Pressing the record button, I hold it discreetly, still staying hidden in the shadows. Liam looks at her, confused, but her stare doesn’t waver from Josh as he breathes heavily.
“I am done.” She laughs bitterly. “I’ve put up with a lot of things because of you.
Smiled and nodded because after so long of being alone, I thought this is what I deserve.
” She shakes her head. “Growing apart from my daughter.” She looks down, and my face crumples when I see the pinkish hue on her cheeks.
“Losing who I am . . . to satisfy you. I thought that was what I was allowed to have.”
She looks down at her hand and Josh speaks up.
“Kate, I’m sorry, honey. We can talk about this.
We can fix it.” He reaches out, but she steps back, tears running down her face.
Liam is at her side—at the ready—should anything happen.
Though Josh has the most heartbroken expression on his face, I finally realize how manipulative he’s been.
How he continues to be.
She slides off her ring and looks up at him. “You have five minutes to get out of my house, or I’ll have you arrested on domestic violence charges.”
At that, his face contorts, and it’s a look I’ve seen when he’s in the courtroom. His features are sharp, his words unyielding, and the look he possesses sheds instantly as if it were a mask.
“Your house?” He chuckles. “Kate, you have nothing. You are nothing. Everything in this house, everything including you, belongs to me.”
I faintly hear sirens as Josh starts screaming, a vein throbbing in his forehead. Breathing harsher, I stumble in sight, and his darkened eyes connect with mine.
“You did this.” He seethes as he comes closer, leaving Mom’s side as she sobs softly.
“Don’t touch her, Josh,” Liam threatens.