AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Exactly,” I caress Liv’s hair. Making no effort to hide what I feel for her, I continue, “Liv was in danger, and I needed to be there for her. End of story.”
Bella turns serious as if wondering if I would do the same thing for her, which of course I would.
“And you were outnumbered, right? How did you make that work for you?” Bella points the recorder toward me. It’s uncomfortable, but much better than having a gun pointed at you, to be frank.
“It was easy once Big Teddy revealed himself,” I say. “It was all a matter of playing with his ego for him to face me one-on-one, and after that, I was able to dominate him and his men in a jiffy.”
“What was that karate-chop move you did to make him faint?” Liv asks with curiosity.
“I just pressed on his neck tendons,” I say, my tone more somber. Truth be told, I learned that move during SEAL training and was never able to use it before. “The pain is bad enough for anyone to pass out.”
“Oh God…” Bella says, a hand over her chest.
“Is he going to be okay?” Liv asks with urgency.
“He was going to abuse you, Liv!”
Both Liv and Bella just look at me with curious stares.
“Well, it may just be a few days with a brace, or it could be weeks, possibly longer.”
They keep staring, so I add, “But yes, he’s going to live.”
Liv buries her face in my chest again. “I was so scared…” Liv cries like a kitten.
Now I’m the one to bury my face on the top of her head. She briefly smiles, calming down and relaxing within my arms. I raise my eyes to see Bella joining us for a group hug.
“I’m so glad you two are okay. I can’t really believe what just happened.” She says softly, her eyes wide.
We all sit like that huddled together for several moments.
“So, what now, Alex?” Liv cries out, suddenly alarmed. “We can never come back here, can we?”
I close my eyes and nod. With a deep sigh stuck inside my chest, I look at Liv and confide the harsh truths to her. “Initially, no. Things might get violent around here, other drug dealers might want to take over, but the police will hopefully take care of them easily now that the core is dismantled.”
“Will you send security here?” Liv says, hopeful.
“No!” I roar. “The way those guys disappointed me by leaving you alone, I’d be nuts if I hired them again!”
“Well, I guess they focused on Bella. I think they just lost me in the crowd as I was snapping photos,” Liv shrugs.
“They should have keptboth of yousafe!” I say, holding her shoulders and looking her in the eye.
“I know, big guy… I know.”
“I failed you. I’m sorry.”
“Something like this was bound to happen eventually, Alex!” she says lightly, almost cheerful. “At least we got it out the way and it’s over and we made it out alive.”
“Nope,” I shake my head. “This should have never happened.”
After another moment of silent, we hear Bella clear her throat.
We both look up at her. Her focus is on Liv, and she hesitates around her, trying to find words to say and how to say them.
“Liv, do you forgive me?” Bella’s words tumble out all at once as she clutches her hands in front of her chest in a pleading stance.
“Bella…” Liv looks at her and blinks, arms limp at her sides.
