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For a minute, I consider not telling him. But resistance is futile. "He came into my shop the other day. I also ran into him at the grocery store. That was it." I think back to James’s—no, Dimitri’s—odd smile when he saw I was pregnant. Had he put two and two together and knew the baby is Liam’s? If Liam is right and Dimitri wants to hurt him, what better way than to kill his child? Bile rises in my throat at the idea.
"That's it? Has he called you?"
"No." I sit for a moment, stewing in my confusion and fear, when I remember Lucy mentioning that Liam knew about the person who broke into my house. "Is he the one who breached my security?"
"Probably." He holds out his hand, palm up. "Give me your phone."
"Why?" Of course, I know why. This isn’t the first time I’ve been whisked away for my own safety. Every time it happened before, I was required to give up my phone. "You told me I could keep it and call Lucy."
"You already called Lucy. Give me the fucking phone."
I hand my phone over. He pokes a button on his door and the window slides down. Using his knee to steer, he breaks the phone with his hands and then tosses the components out the window.
Tears finally fill my eyes as it fully sinks in that my life as I know it is over. Once again, I’m on the run with a man I loathe and love all at the same time.
20
LIAM
Idon't want to be an asshole, but I can't seem to help myself. I knew it was going to be hard to see Kate again and had worked to prepare myself, to guard against the overwhelming yearning.
What I hadn’t anticipated was seeing that she’d moved on. She has her normal life that apparently includes a normal man. Seeing her pregnant was a kick to the gut.
Feeling betrayed makes no sense. Intellectually, Kate living her own life is exactly what I wanted for her. I wanted her to be free and happy. But it guts me to see she’s achieved it. She forgot me and met someone else. A someone else who knocked her up and then left her. In my book, that means he needs to die.
I glance at Kate after tossing her phone out the window as I whisk her away from danger. Her head is turned away from me, looking out the window, but I can see the tears. I hate myself for hurting her. It’s a reminder of why I can’t be with her. But fucking hell, I can’t seem to survive without her, either. And she’s paying the price of my selfishness.
For a time, I simply drive with no destination in mind until I’m sure we’re not being followed. Finally, I make my way toward Atlantic City, stopping at a roadside diner to switch cars. Kate doesn’t say anything as she obediently exits the SUV and gets into the sedan. I was wrong to tell her I liked it better when she was obedient. I miss the woman who would butt up against the rules.
"Where are we going?" She breaks the silence as we get on the road again.
“Somewhere safe.” I head north.
“Why can’t I go to Donovan and Lucy’s? They’re safe.”
“Not safe enough.” I’m sure Lucy would argue that point, but when it comes to protecting Kate, it’s my job. A job I tried to abdicate because Kate is right, I’m a coward. Yes, it’s easier to hunt down Dimitri and his men to kill them without Kate in tow, but the truth is, I left her behind because it was the only way to give her what she wanted.
But hearing about her break-in and rumors of Dimitri snooping around, I had no choice but to come back into Kate’s life. She’s my responsibility. No one is more invested in her safety than I am.
She lets out an annoyed breath and leans her head against the window. I regret not having brought a pillow or blanket for her. Soon, she’s sleeping and I’m grateful. It tells me she trusts me. At least right now.
Several hours later, we’re in rural New York. We’ve come a long way, but I can’t let go of the feeling that it’s not far enough. I veer off Interstate 87, heading west into rural country with the intention of heading north again once I hit interstate 81. I have half a mind to drive her to Canada.
“Where are we?”
I glance over at Kate. “Somewhere between Saugerties and Woodstock.”
She shifts, letting out a groan. “We have to stop. I need to eat.” Her eyes close, and I get the feeling she’s trying to hold it together. I hate that she feels she has to. “I can’t do this anymore, Liam.”
I pull up my GPS and search for a private rental available for tonight. I’m worried there won’t be any as it’s a popular quick trip destination. Finally, I see a small cabin retreat at the edge of town. I connect with the owner who doesn’t seem thrilled at a last-minute reservation late at night. I promise I’ll make it worth his while.
We pass a gas station convenience store just a mile from the home’s location.
“Liam, I have to eat.”
I pull into the place, parking at the pump to fill the tank while Kate goes inside. When I finish, I enter the store just in time to catch her handing over a credit card. I quickly snatch it from her, kicking myself for not taking it sooner.
“Hey!” She glares at me.
