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Instead, this is so much worse.
Liliya did it. She might’ve been pushed to the edge by everyone around her, but she’s the one that did it in the end.
Liam says something to my father. I don’t hear it. I think he’s trying to protect me now. Eventually, Liam wraps his arms around me and steers me out of the office. We leave father behind, and Liam hurries me through the halls. I feel the stares, but I don’t give a damn. I left that life behind already, and I can do it again.
“I’m sorry,” my husband says once we’re finally outside. He holds me tight next to the car. “I’m so, so sorry, Alisa. I didn’t think that’s how this would go. I never would’ve brought you if I’d known.”
“It’s okay,” I say, trying to get control of myself. “This doesn’t change anything.”
He pulls back to look into my eyes. I stare at him, reaching deep into myself to find the smallest bit of resolve left. His head tilts. “Are you sure?” he asks.
“Papa killed her. Whether he forced the pills into her mouth or not, he killed her, and I want him to pay. I need him to pay, Liam.”
“If you ask this of me, I will do it for you.”
“I know.”
“Are you sure it’s what you want? You should think on it.”
“It’s what I want.”
He nods slowly. “Then I’ll do this for you, because I love you, Alisa. I know it’s not the right time to say it, but the woman I saw back in that office is strong and beautiful. She’s the kind of woman I want by my side for the rest of my life. I will give you whatever you want, for as long as you want it, I swear to you.”
I stand on my toes and kiss him.
I’m still a mess of emotions. Maybe I’m too vulnerable right now from what happened in there. But I want Liam like I’ve never wanted before. He’s solid, he’s real, and he’s the only person in my life that has only ever tried to do what’s best for me. Even if he makes mistakes and does things his own way.
We break apart and I stroke his cheek. “Thank you,” I say. “Please, when you kill my father, make it quick.”
“Whatever you want,” he says.
And I kiss him again.
Chapter 37
Liam
Tess stands by my side overlooking a burned-out field. It’s nearly midnight, the waning moon still casting a gray light over the wreckage, the sky spattered with stars. “I want to be long gone before it happens,” she says, her face grim.
“I’m going to be honest with you. I’m surprised you’re willing to play a part in this at all.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m more pragmatic than the rest of them. Besides, I’m still young, I have to think about my future.”
“I could give you a bunch of easy platitudes about the Crowley family’s gratitude, but I suspect you won’t care about that.”
“No, I won’t. I care about money and opportunity.”
“Then we’re in agreement.”
She grunts as she turns away. “Just make sure you clean up after yourself.”
“What, you don’t want him left behind? It might makes good fertilizer.”
She doesn’t respond as she walks off. I watch her go, my smile slowly fading. She’s going to be a problem—the fact that she’s aware of this operation at all is a massive risk. However, we do have written and verbal proof of her complicity, which means the Crowley family now owns her, whether she realizes it or not.
I turn off the recorder once she’s gone and hand it over to Orin. “Make sure this is kept safe.”
“Got it, boss.” He pauses, squinting in the dark. “You’re sure he’ll show?”
“He’s in a bad spot right now. He won’t be able to resist.”
Orin nods, looking thoughtful. I leave him there and walk back toward the field. Sean falls in beside me. The ground crunches with remnants of old, charred weed plants, each step taking me deeper into the wrecked wasteland.
Nobody speaks. My soldiers are hidden all over, camouflaged with black blankets and half buried in the dirt. I crouch down once we reach the designated position, and Sean does the same. We’re both in dark clothes, and I raise a pair of night-vision binoculars to my eyes, scanning the far side of the fields closest to the road.
Tension heightens. My heartrate remains slow and steady like always before a fight. This is a gamble and a massive risk, but I can’t keep letting this war drag on and on. It’s bleeding me, not killing me, but causing enough pain that I’m beginning to get uncomfortable.
Worst of all, it’s hurting Alisa.
She doesn’t want to hide away in Boston, and I can’t blame her. If I were in her position, I’d rage too. Except this is what’s best for her safety and for the baby, and we’re at the point where I can’t keep letting her put herself and our child at risk.
