Chapter 21 #2
Stella stands in horror and to be honest, I can’t move either. Not because I’m afraid or repulsed but I just don’t know what to do. Ethan’s an asshole so… whatever, I guess.
He brings Ethan up for air. Water sprays everywhere as he thrashes and chokes. “What the fuck… are you doing, man?” He stutters, his shirt soaked and he’s still leaking blood everywhere.
I’m officially sick of seeing blood but this is enjoyable.
“Why are you doing this?” Ethan chokes sounding like he might cry.
Liem brings him up closer to him. “Because I don’t like you.” Then sticks his head under again.
I don’t particularly like violence. Not really. Especially after living through the worst of it but seeing guys like Ethan getting what’s handed to him is satisfying. And letting someone help fight my battles for once is a relief I can’t explain.
“Your boyfriend is crazy!”
I stare at Stella, but I don’t say anything. The only thing that happens, which I find no control over, is grin.
Liem finally pulls Ethan out of the water, shutting it off and tossing him aside. “Don’t go anywhere near her again or I’ll kill you. And I promise you. I will. Kill. You.”
My heart is in my throat as I watch Ethan struggle to gain awareness. Stella launches herself on the floor as he falls. “It’s okay, baby. You’ll be okay.” She glares at me. “Get out! Get the fuck out now.”
Liem takes my arm, pulling me in front of him but it’s not toward the door but to my bedroom. “Which drawer?”
I’m assuming he’s asking where my pants are. But instead, I grab them myself and shimmy on a pair of leggings while snatching my coat.
I grab a bag, stuffing clothes, and things inside I’ll need for at least the next few days then we make our way to leave.
Ethan and Stella have both moved to the kitchen. He’s hunched over the table while Stella holds a washcloth to his face. He whines like a child, and my mouth lifts in satisfaction.
Fuck him.
I’m glad Liem punched him.
I did catch an eye roll from my roommate when her boyfriend starts complaining about it scaring up his beautiful face.
I’ve seen scars.
Lived through scars.
I have a souvenir of one.
He’ll be fine.
I stop in front of my roommate when she grabs my arm, Liem going rigid. “Listen. I’m not kicking you out. Just wait a couple of days before coming back. We won’t be here.” Her pupils are dilated and red. Same as her boyfriends.
I have no idea where they always go, but that works for me. I don’t want to look for another place, and this is prime location for my job.
I nod, then Liem takes my hand, sending me out the door first, him following close. With his hand in mine, it’s electrifying, reassuring.
In the hallway, I stand catching a minute. Liem lets go of my hand and I rub it as if to feel him forever on my skin.
“Shit,” I blurt out in defeat.
Liem casts a glance at the door like he’s ready to go back inside.
I pull out my phone, getting ready to call Lydia for a place to stay.
“Who are you calling?” he asks, darting his attention to my phone after he sends out a text of his own.
“Lydia. I’m hoping she’ll let me crash with her for a few days.”
“You’re not staying with her. You’ll stay with me. Let’s go.” He takes my hand in his again and I can’t argue, hell, I don’t want to argue. I’d let him take me anywhere at this point.
At the bottom, near the lobby and front door we wait for Bullet, who is supposed to be picking us up. Neither one of us talks. It’s almost like exhaustion is too much for us.
Liem keeps his focus on the outside, and at the diner.
I lean against the cold wall, letting myself give up, letting the nightmares trickle through my memories. “I really hate my fucking life. I wish I would have died back in that warehouse.”
Liem rounds on me, then braces his hands on either side of my head and I straighten. “Never say that to me again.”
I scoff. “But it’s the truth.” I hold firm in my words.
He glowers down at me, his eyes black like night. “You will survive. You will take back what happened to you, and you will fucking live.” He’s stern. But it’s not harsh or mean, it’s passionate.
I suck in a sharp breath, darting my eyes between his beautiful ones.
There’s a moment when he glances down at my mouth like he wants to devour it and my god, I wish he would. Right here, right now, I wish he’d devour every single part of me. Let me forget. With his strong body engulfing mine.
He moves closer.
My eyes hood over, fluttering closed as I take in the scent of him. The delicious safety of his presence. Holy hell I crave it. I want every part of Liem.
He blinks and that’s when he steps back, nostrils flaring in a heated regret.
So close.
What is he doing to me?
When Bullet pulls up, that’s when Liem takes his eyes off mine. A deep and heavy sigh rolling out of him.
He takes my hand in his like he has minutes ago and guides us to Bullet, who glances down at our interlocked hands with a surprised look.
“You all right? We gotta talk about what happened,” Bullet mutters over to him, trying to keep me from over hearing.
Liem nods as he opens the door for me, and I take more time than I should as I climb inside the back.
“I know.”
“Chain has guys on it. He’s not happy, brother.”
Liem gives Bullet a knowing nod.
I look away, pretend not to be listening.
The ride to the clubhouse has weird energy and when we finally arrive, everyone is asleep given the hour, which I’m grateful for.
Having to explain this one to Tequila or the others will be too much tonight.
Liem almost drowning my roommate’s boyfriend in the bathroom sink doesn’t have a nice ring to it.
Liem leads me to his room, the same one I’ve been in before. I hadn’t realized the scent invading the space is entirely him, until now. Before, I hadn’t noticed, but now—now it threatens my body like a ring of fire, and I steadily inhale every bit of it.
“You can stay as long as you need. No one will bother you here.”
I huff. “Funny. I gave you the same speech back at my place.” I set down my bag, turning to look at him. “But thank you. I appreciate this. Sorry I’m kicking you out of your own space.”
He shakes his head. “I’m usually at the cabin anyway.”
I nod. Right.
“Get some sleep, Danika.”
I breathe in the euphoric sound of my name and smile. “You, too. Liem.” Right before he shuts the door, I quickly say, “Thank you for what you did back there. It’s nice knowing someone will stand up for me.”
He stares; his eyes go soft. “You never have to worry that I won’t. And thank you for helping me.” A staggered breath rolls out from him and a hint of restrain tightens in his expression. But with that, he turns, closing the door behind him and I huff out a puff of air.
Man am I in trouble.