Chapter 92 Liza
LIZA
Hunger gnawed at my insides as I stood in the kitchen, fridge doors wide open, staring mindlessly at the array of food.
My stomach growled, reminding me that it desperately needed something more than a few swigs of water.
But for some reason, I just couldn’t focus on what to eat.
All I could think about was the conversation I’d had with Ty earlier that morning.
He said I was officially on lockdown. No leaving the house, not even to step outside on the back porch for fresh air. It simply wasn’t safe. I studied his face closely and there was a hint of remorse, but mostly his eyes were set and his voice firm.
In Ty’s defense, he’d gone out of his way to say how sorry he was and how he recognized it would be difficult since I valued my independence so much. His words went in one ear and out the other, though. I was numb. This would be my new reality.
The irony of my life hit me like a slap in the face as a humorless laugh escaped my throat. I glanced around to see if anyone was around, but I was alone in the massive kitchen.
Not that I was completely surprised. Honestly, given everything that had happened, I didn’t even have the energy to care. After almost being kidnapped twice in a matter of days, leaving the house seemed like the least of my priorities.
A throat cleared behind me, making me jump. I turned to see a staff member staring at me and blinking rapidly. She seemed nervous about interrupting me. “Ms. Sabrina is here to see you. She’s waiting for you in the library, Mrs. Keller.”
“Thanks.” I forced a smile and tried to sound calm and completely in control of my life. Who was I fucking kidding? You’d have to blind not to see what a mess I was.
As I walked toward the library, I thought about the call I’d made to Sabrina, explaining why I never showed up at her house last night. She was in tears while I explained the situation, so I wasn’t surprised she’d decided to come see me.
Rounding the corner, I found Sabrina pacing the floor of the library, her anger palpable.
“Hey, you didn’t have to come over.” I spoke gently, hoping she’d react calmly. “I promise, I’m fine.”
She spun and ran to me, throwing her arms around my neck and squeezing all the air out of my lungs. I let out a little laugh and peeled her off me. The moment our eyes met, it was obvious Sabrina was more than a little pissed.
“Oh shit,” I mumbled quietly, my heart sinking.
“Oh shit is right,” Sabrina said, glaring over my shoulder.
I turned to see Ty standing in the doorway of the library, his expression unreadable.
“Tyson Keller,” Sabrina spat out as she tore off in his direction, pointing her finger at him accusingly. “You better explain what the fuck is going on and why my best friend was almost kidnapped.”
Ty opened his mouth to speak, but I interjected, putting my hands on Sabrina’s shoulders, trying to calm her down. “Hey, hey. Take it easy, Sabrina. This isn’t Ty’s fault. Truly. It’s not.”
But Sabrina was livid, and when she got this wound up, there was no stopping her.
She glared at Ty, each word dropping like a bomb between them.
“None of this insanity started happening until your wolf moon magic shit put Liza in your path. Now your enemies are targeting her.” She wiped her tears on the back of her arm as her breath caught in her throat.
At that point, she was full-blown sobbing, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen my best friend that upset.
I wanted to say something to defend Ty, but Sabrina was right—all my troubles had started after Ty and I realized we were fated mates, and that hurt more than I cared to admit.
I clenched my jaw and tried to keep my composure, but all I felt like doing was screaming and running out of the room like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.
Was it acceptable for the alpha’s mate to completely lose her fucking mind and curl up in the fetal position of her bedroom?
“Look.” Ty was obviously frustrated but determined to convince Sabrina of his innocence.
“I never meant for any of this to happen, but we’re in this together now, and I’m going to do everything in my power to protect Liza.
You know more than anyone how much I love Liza.
I’d never intentionally put her safety at risk. ”
“Words are cheap, Ty,” Sabrina shot back, her eyes never leaving his. “Actions speak louder.”
Ty’s expression hardened as he took a step closer to Sabrina, now pointing his finger at her. There was no way he would stand by and let anyone, even my best friend, portray him as a lousy mate.
Just then, the front door opened with a loud bang, and all three of us bolted out of the library to see what the hell was happening.
A roughed-up man stumbled through the entrance, with Nico right behind him, followed by another man I also didn’t recognize.
The guy in the center had his hands tied in front of him as Nico and the other guy gripped his upper arms to keep him from bolting.
Before Ty could ask questions, Nico gestured to his assistant. “This is one of Isaiah’s guys.”
Ty studied the man for a second before exploding in rage. “Who the fuck are you? And where is Isaiah? He’s been MIA for days.”
The man stared at Ty with wide, terrified eyes, obviously not used to being in the presence of an alpha. “Sorry, Mr. Keller, sir. I’m Graeme North. Isaiah sent me in his place. He told me to pass along a message. He’s neck deep in his investigation but will follow up with you shortly.”
Ty scowled. “He sure as fuck better follow up with me shortly. What kind of informant disappears for days on end and doesn’t even show up when the alpha’s mate is almost kidnapped in the middle of town for every damn person to see?”
I studied the man who was restrained, his wild hair sticking out in all directions and clothes covered with dirt. There was something about his expression, desperation and cunning, that made me uneasy. I glanced at Ty, trying to gauge his reaction. Who the hell was he?
I watched Ty step closer to the stranger.
“Maximus,” he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. The tension in the room built as Ty narrowed his eyes at him. He moved even closer and lowered his head so that he was eye to eye with Maximus. “You’ve gone too far. Did you think I wouldn’t know immediately that it was you?”
“Ty, what the hell are you talking about? Why the fuck are your goons pulling me out of my place and dragging me here?” Maximus sputtered, his face contorting with confusion and fear.
“Cut the crap, Maximus.” Ty growled. Though I couldn’t see his face, I imagined it must have been twisted into a snarl.
I took a step back, suddenly worried Ty might lose control and attack the poor bastard.
“I’m fully aware that you’re to blame for the kidnapping attempts.” Ty turned and gestured in my direction. “You know what I’m fucking talking about… the ambush on Liza’s SUV yesterday.”
“Look, I didn’t send anyone to kidnap your mate. I swear.” Maximus’s voice cracked as he shook his head violently.
“Maybe not, but you’re the one who planted the seed.
You stirred up everyone’s interest in Liza’s omega powers and how much she’d be worth.
Your efforts to gain power and build your fucking casino brought about this mess.
Liza’s innocent in all this, yet she’s trapped like a damn rat in her own home because of you. ”
My breath hitched. So, this was the piece of shit responsible for putting the bounty on my head.
This was the person who had set off a chain reaction of events that had nearly cost me my life.
I stared at Maximus, with his hands tied in front of him, while Nico and Isaiah’s assistant held him in a submissive position.
My hands balled into fists as my anger resurfaced.
That bastard had caused me so much pain and anguish. Now, what would Ty do about it?
“Ty, please,” Maximus pleaded, his eyes wide with terror. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“Save your fucking breath.” Ty turned to Nico. “Lock him up. I’ll deal with him later. We’ve got more important things to discuss.”
Nico and Graeme dragged Maximus away, and his frantic pleas for mercy echoed through the halls.
Ty took a deep breath and turned to face Sabrina. “I’m sorry, but this is pack business. You’ll have to excuse us.”
Sabrina’s face twisted, clearly unhappy at being dismissed so abruptly.
“Fine,” she huffed, shooting Ty a glare that would’ve made anyone else quiver in their boots.
“But I’ll be waiting for Liza in the entertainment room.
And if you think you can keep me away from her when she needs me, you’re very much mistaken.
You may be the alpha of the pack, Tyson Keller, but I’m not pack.
She so much as sighs the wrong way and I’ll come running. ”
“Understood.” Ty rubbed his forehead and shut his eyes, staving off a headache.
Sabrina spun on her heel and stalked out of the room, leaving us to stare at each other in silence.
As we stood there, trying to process everything that had just happened, my anger simmered barely below the surface.
It wasn’t raging to the point I’d pick Isaiah’s assistant up and chuck him across the damn house, but it was there, and it was palpable.
How dare Maximus put my life and the lives of those I cared about in danger for his own gain?
What kind of alpha did that? He was a fucking monster and deserved whatever punishment Ty deemed fit, and if Ty couldn’t think of one, I was certain I could think of two or three.
“We need to ensure he never does anything like this again. We can’t let him hurt anyone else.”
Ty moved to my side and wrapped his arms around me. “I promise you I’ll handle Maximus and make sure he pays for what he’s done.”