AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I drop my gaze to the ground.
“You can’t be serious,” Fox says, his eyes wide with concern. He’s never even met Liv, but he knows what a big deal this is.
“What else can I do? She’s safer without me. You can’t say that isn’t true.” I silently beg Mark to tell me I’m wrong.
He sighs. “It’s too late for that.”
“Not if I make it public. Make it clear she’s not important to me anymore.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“They won’t know that. I’ll keep a detail on her, just to make sure she’s safe. We can be discreet.”
“Luke… you’ll destroy her.” Mark meets my eyes, knowing that’s the part I’m not facing.
I swallow, but I don’t look away. “She never needed me. She’ll recover.”
“Will you?” Fox asks.
“That’s not important.”
“It’s not a sure thing,” Mark says.
“It’s all I’ve got. I wouldn’t recover if she was murdered because of me. After Mom died, my dad only kept going because of me and Skye. I see that now. If something happens to Liv, put a bullet in me and bury me next to her. I’d rather live in a world where she’s safe, even if it’s not with me.”
I’ve learned my lesson. We got lucky this time. Liv survived. I’m not willing to risk her a second time. I’ll be damned if I let Liv meet the same fate as my mom.
“You’re making a huge mistake, Luke. She’ll survive you, but she won’t be the same. You’ll change her, harden her. Is that what you want?”
“Better she be hardened than dead.” It’s that simple.
Fox shakes his head and returns to his computer.
Mark glares at me, then lets out a sigh. “The guys won’t like it."
“Tough shit.”
“You prepared for the fallout? Her brother? Her dad?”
I nod. “You know her dad will be thrilled.”
He stares at me long and hard, then nods. “I’ll do what I can to make it easy on her. But she needs time. She’s still healing.”
“She’s already talking with my therapist. Once she’s settled, I’ll find the right time. Meanwhile, we need to arrange everything. I’ll be out of her life, but I won’t abandon her. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
Mark sighs. “You’re going to regret this.”
Two months later, I sit on my couch, my hands clasped together, my chin resting on them with my elbows on my knees. Liv is doing well. The sessions with Susan are helping her cope, and her wounds are healing. She’s so fucking strong.
After a long talk with Mark yesterday, I’ve decided that tonight will be the night I rip out my heart, set it on fire, and bury the ashes in a deep, dark hole. I can’t keep putting it off. Liv is already suspicious and being around her is torture. I’m worried to the point of distraction that something will happen to her.
Last night, I made love to Liv for the last time. My one last selfish act. I memorized the feel of her, the sounds she made, the way she told me she loved me. After tonight, I’ll never have it again. A wave of emotion hits me, and I choke it back.
Liv left with Mark for John’s house a half hour ago. Garrett, Dylan, Jackson, Jordy, Skye, and Brando sit around my living room, waiting for me to speak. They have no idea what’s about to happen.
“What the fuck is going on, man?” Jackson asks when I stay quiet for too long. I meet his eyes, then Brando’s, then Jordy’s.
“I’ve decided how to best protect Liv.”The air vibrates with tension. “Her life is in constant danger because of her connection to me.”
