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Chapter 15
Liam decided it would be best to show up to the river park early to go over the plan one more time. He still had to choose the best location to turn himself into a human guinea pig. Isabella had no idea how well—or not—Liam had slept last night, but she herself was up a lot, thanks to anxious thoughts and nightmares. Her worries ran around her head in circles, like vultures ready to tear her flesh apart, to break her out from this fantasy world, and back to the misery that awaited her in 1881.
There was nothing she would have wished for more than for Liam to kick the door open and comfort her in his warm, strong arms. To make her believe that there was a future, a world in time where both of them could be together. It was killing her inside, driving her mad, not knowing if Liam still felt the same way about her…or was he more eager to set her free? But as much as it would break her heart, she couldn’t blame him for wanting his life back and things to return to normal. No passion in the world could possibly compete with the calm he would be able to live as soon as she was gone. No coin shops, no Mamas, no big silly dresses, and no Ghost. What a calm and normal life indeed.
Isabella almost didn’t want to get out of bed. What was it all for? To return to Lord Warrington and her despicable mother? And just when she almost decided to call it off, to stay here in the twenty-first century, the memory of her brother packing his travel trunks flashed up in front of her. Servants were buzzing around like frightened little flies. His mother screaming at him whether or not he has gone mad.
“Not as mad as marrying my beloved sister to that monster,” he yelled back at his mother. He lovingly grabbing Isabella’s hand while he spoke the last words she would ever hear from him: “I shall make things right, even if it takes my last breath. I shall make things right…” It was the last time she ever saw him.
The same morning, he left for the voyage toward the Wild West to mine for gold, leaving nothing behind but letters that arrived months late at a time. No. Isabella had to go back to him, or she would never forgive herself. With a heavy heart, she rolled herself out of bed and got dressed.
After an awkward breakfast during which both of them acted so formal one might think they were business partners, Liam headed out to Brunswick’s lawyer to sign the paperwork that would give him the sole ownership of his company. By the time he finally got back home, it was already getting dark.
The last remaining time burned slowly as they waited for Dan’s text. They would go over tonight’s mission again and again and again, including several alternative scenarios in case something should go wrong, which in this case always led to Liam hammering the same instructions into Isabella that he probably would have tattooed onto her if he could.
DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR. KEEP THE DOORS LOCKED. NO MATTER WHAT. CALL 911. DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR. KEEP THE DOORS LOCKED. NO MATTER WHAT. CALL 911…
Liam had her repeat the words so often, she would probably dream about them tonight, and the next, for the rest of her life.
They both sat at the table in silence, each to their own thoughts, when the phone sounded. It was a text from Dan:
I think he is close. Get ready.
An ice-cold shiver ran down her spine, her heart picking up speed. Liam reached out, about to grab her hand, but reluctantly pulled it back to his side.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Isabella’s hands turned limp as she stared at him with rejected eyes, wanting to look away.
“You ready?” he asked almost in a whisper.
Isabella nodded with a heavy heart.
Liam pulled into a small parking lot next to the grass fields where he would be waiting for Dan, hopefully being followed by Ghost. He was wearing the dress over a grey colored jogging outfit that allowed him to move freely. It was almost pitch black with no lights close by, except for the one mounted to the wall of a lavatory building at the end of the parking lot. Even there, the light was dim and clearly broken as it pulsed on and off at unpredictable intervals. It gave a rather eerie vibe, a perfect place to commit a crime.
Liam turned off the engine and threw his head back. Isabella tried to figure out what was on his mind. Something felt off. Was he nervous?
“It’s ok to be scared…” she almost whispered.
She had spoken before she even realized what she had said. Gosh, what would she give if she could just lean over and put her head onto his shoulder. To steal just one more moment before all of this began, and ended at the same time.
Liam looked out the window. “I’m not scared… Not of Ghost.” What did that mean? She was about to ask him when her phone lit up. It was Dan.
Ready now. I’m on my way. Ten minutes.
Liam reached under his seat and pulled out a knife. Its silver blade reflected the glow from her phone and onto his face. He pulled his leg up and placed the knife in some form of a black holster wrapped around his ankle. Isabella felt a tight knot form in her stomach, growing denser, twisting harder as the seconds ticked away. This wasn’t a game. Things could get ugly. What if Liam got hurt?
“Remember, keep the doors locked at all times. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, call the police immediately. And do not get out." His voice was firm and as serious as it could get. Liam popped the door open, taking a step out when Isabella reached over to grab his arm.
Tell him.
Her throat went dry.
Bloody hell!
Her mouth parted.
Tell him that you love him…
