Chapter 26 #2
My hand tightens on the steering wheel. “No, you’re not, and George is an asshole for making you feel like emotions are weak.
We’re humans, Liam. Physiologically speaking, tears help regulate emotional responses by releasing stress hormones, reducing physical and emotional tension, and restoring emotional balance.
Denying them is fighting human nature, and that’s just stupid. ”
“Physiologically speaking, huh?”
I glance at him. “Yes.”
He nods, letting a tear fall without batting it away. “Look, I’m not stupid.”
“And you’re not a baby,” I tell him sincerely, then refocus on driving. “We’re almost there. Do you need to scream or hit something before we get there?”
“I’m good,” he says, squeezing my hand and taking a breath. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Always.” I turn into the neighborhood with mansions and expensive cars, anxiety fluttering around in my chest. I hate confrontation. This isn’t my own, and still, I’m a bundle of nerves. I can’t imagine how Liam must be feeling. All I can do is be here for him.
“You can park in the driveway.” Liam straightens in his seat, scowling at the Tudor-style mansion.
I pull into the brick-laid drive and park, cutting the engine and climbing out.
Liam waits for me at the front of the car.
Jaw muscles tight. Shoulders bunched together.
I’ve never seen him angry, but right now, he’s livid.
“Are you going to be okay?” I don’t want him to do something that’ll end up with him in jail.
“As much as I want to punch him, I won’t. I’m here for Cici. That’s it.”
Nodding, I link my hand with his. “Let’s go get her.”
We head to the front door. Liam bypasses knocking and lets himself inside. Laughter carries from deeper in the house, but we move toward the helical staircase, traversing up to the second level. Soft cries carry out from under a closed door. Liam releases a heavy breath and gently taps on the door.
“Who is it?” a strained, feminine voice calls.
“Liam.”
Feet shuffle over carpet, and the door swings open, revealing a younger, girly version of Liam. Her brown eyes are watery, and she hurls herself at him, wrapping her scrawny arms around her brother.
My chest squeezes. I can’t imagine how scared she must be after hearing that discussion. My mom trying to matchmake me is one thing. Arranging a mating is another level of despicable.
Liam cradles her head. “It’s okay, C. I’m here.”
“I’m only eleven.” She sniffs. “I don’t want to get mated.”
“You’re not,” Liam promises. “Grab your stuff, okay? You’re coming to stay with me for a while.”
She pulls back, noticing me for the first time. Her eyes widen, and she swipes at her cheeks, as if she can erase the evidence of her breakdown. “Who is she?”
“Cici, this is Liv.”
Cici gasps. “The omega you’re in love with?”
My gaze skips to Liam, stomach fluttering. He’s in love with me?
Liam’s cheeks flush and he clears his throat. “We need to go.”
Cici gives him a look. “I want to know everything.” Then she gives me a small smile. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I say, waving and then cursing myself for being awkward. “Uh, do you need help packing?”
“No, I’m ready.” She retreats into her room, which is covered in bursts of pink and purple. “Okay,” she says as she pulls a large suitcase alongside her. “I’m ready.”
“You have your backpack?”
She frowns. “Do I need it?”
Liam nods. “Yes. You still have to go to school, especially if we’re going to go back to court for custody.”
Her eyes mist again. “Custody? But our other dads—”
“I called them. They’re working on it.”
“George—”
“Yes, what about George?” a prim and high-pitched voice demands. Liam’s mom is beautiful. Long red hair. Wide, doe-like eyes, which are currently filled with irritation. She’s lithe and graceful, even when she’s clearly pissed off. “What’s the meaning of this?” She gestures at Cici’s suitcase.
“Cici is coming to stay with me for a while,” Liam says, straightening and holding her stare. “Is that going to be a problem?”
“Well, we’ll have to ask Geo—”
“George is downstairs, auctioning her off to the highest bidder!” Liam’s shout echoes through the hall and down the stairs.
His mom shakes her head. “Liam, honey. You’re a beta. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Mom!” Cici chastises. “You can’t—”
Liam holds up his hand to stop his sister.
“It’s okay, C. Mom’s right. I’m a beta, of course I don’t understand letting an alpha who ripped my family apart sell my sister off to make a business deal.
Of course I wouldn’t understand choosing the man who’s clearly abusing your child over everyone else.
” Liam pauses, watching her face harden.
Maybe he was waiting for some type of remorse or regret. Something to show him that she’s surprised by what he’s said.
“He was teaching you how to be a man,” she counters, pursing her lips.
The heartbreak on Liam’s face kills me. I know what it’s like to have a mom who doesn’t really see or care about you. Though I only have an idea of what sort of abuse he’s suffered, I’m not letting her stand here and hurt him.
I step in front of him, squaring off with her, omega to omega.
She arches an eyebrow. “I recognize you from the Omega Social Club . . . you’re a Wellington, right? Liam, why is she here?”
“She is here because your son is amazing. He’s sweet and kind and more of a man than your alpha ever will be.” I glare at her. “And one day, you’re going to be old and alone, wondering why no one wants to come visit, but this moment? This is why. You had your chance to make things right.”
Her face scrunches. “It’s not so simple. George means well, he does, but he has so much going on.”
“So does everyone,” I counter. “Cici is eleven. She has seven years before she awakens. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Turning, I search Liam’s face, but he’s staring at me like I’ve grown a second head. “What?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you confront someone.” He looks like he wants to say more, but the raucous laughter from downstairs makes all of us flinch. He levels his mother with a glare. “If there’s any part of you that loves me, loves Cici, you won’t stop us.”
“Liam . . .” She trails off, her focus zooming to Cici. “Honey, don’t go.”
Cici glances away. “I’m going with Liam, Mom.” Her voice cracks. “Please don’t tell George.”
We all hold our breath, waiting to see if she’ll choose loyalty to her kids over George.
Her eyelids flutter closed. “Okay, honey. I won’t tell him.”
Liam sighs in relief, nods at me, and then takes Cici’s suitcase. We hurry down the stairs, out of the house, and into my car. Liam’s mom must keep to her word because George doesn’t come barreling out and screaming. We make our escape without any more drama, and maybe that’s worse.
Their mom barely fought for Cici.
The silence is heavy in the car as we leave the neighborhood. My gaze catches Cici’s in the rearview mirror. The heartbreak there makes my chest ache, and my own pain surfaces. No one in my family ever seemed to care much about what I wanted, but Henry always did.
I nod at her, and she bites her lip and nods back, as if understanding my silent promise.
We’ve got you now. You’re safe.