"I know that," she whispered. "I do. I tried to leave Mike. I was at the door. He would have let me go, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. I know what I did when I went back to him, because I did it. I can't let him go."
"And he can't let you go."
"He would have let me go yesterday."
Mike opened his eyes to stare at her. "I don't think he would have Sera."
She swallowed heavily. "You didn't see him," she whispered. "He would have let me go."
"I honestly don't think he would have. I have never seen him like this. I've known Liam our entire lives. I was there the day he broke his arm, the night he lost his virginity." Mike's face reddened as he looked at her with chagrin. Sera met his gaze with a slightly amused smile. For all his bluff and bluster, Mike was more like a giant teddy bear.
"I don't think I want to know the circumstances surrounding that."
He snorted as he smiled. "No, I don't think you do either, but my point is that he's my best friend, and he threatened to kill me if I hurt you." Sera gasped loudly. Mike laughed harshly, released her hand, and leaned back. "That was my reaction too. He won't let you go Sera, but his life is going to be a lot longer than yours."
She swallowed heavily. "So, what are you saying?"
"I don't know exactly. Look, most of this is none of my business, but some of it is. I like you Sera, and I trust you to do the right thing. I think that you will."
"And what would the right thing be?"
"You'll figure it out in time. Just don't take too long."
"I won't."
"Good."
She felt extremely uncomfortable in the heavy silence that followed. "How did everything go last night?" she asked.
He frowned as he ran a hand through his hair. "Good. It's all taken care of, there's nothing to worry about."
"Where..."
"It's taken care of."
Sera knew that he wouldn't tell her anything more. "Trying to make the moves on my girl?"
She smiled as Liam slid into the booth beside her and draped his arm around the back. Doug and Jack slid in beside Mike, shoving him against the wall. He scowled ferociously at them. Sera's heartbeat picked up as she realized that she was surrounded by four men that could easily kill her.
She instinctively moved closer to Liam. He cast a curious glance at her before draping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. "Hey guys!" Kathleen cried as she bounded eagerly up to the table. Danielle looked a little breathless as she came up behind her. "I'm glad I found you!"
"So am I," Danielle muttered.
Sera stifled a laugh as Danielle slumped into the booth beside Liam. She knew how difficult it could be to keep up with Kathleen when she was in a mood. Kathleen chose to ignore Danielle as she grabbed an empty chair and pulled it over to sit down. "What do you guys have planned for tonight, and tomorrow?"
"Classes," Sera answered instantly, not liking the way this conversation was starting.
"Nothing much, why?" Mike asked.
Kathleen grinned cheerfully as she practically hopped up and down in her chair. "I have an idea."
"That doesn't sound good," Mike said with a grin.
"Oh, it's a very good plan. If you're willing to miss a couple of classes." Kathleen's glance was pointed as she looked at Sera. "And you want to have fun, relax, and get away."
"So far it does sound like a good plan."
Sera groaned.
