Page 43 of Vows of Ruin

Until Liam twitches. At first, it’s subtle. A tightening of the thigh resting beneath mine. A shift in his breathing. Then it escalates. His arm jerks. His jaw clenches. A strangled sound escapes his throat like he’s being choked. I lift my head from his shoulder and place my hand gently on his chest.

“Liam,” I whisper, trying not to startle him.

Before I can say it again, Max is already moving. He grabs me and rolls, dragging me across his body and pushing me behind him just as Liam explodes off the mattress, fists swinging, wild and panicked. Max throws his weight onto him, trying to pin him down.

“TORQUE! WRECK!” Max yells, one hand clamping Liam’s wrist. The other pressed against his chest.

The door slams open.

“Oh shit!” Torque barks, rushing in. He climbs onto the bed behind Liam, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, yanking him close, pressing their heads together, trying to steady him.

“I’ve got his legs,” Wrecker grunts, grabbing hold as Liam thrashes.

Hugo leaps onto the bed, planting himself between me and the chaos, ears flat and protective.

“Liam!” Torque says again, his voice sharp but steady. “Brother, you’re home. You’re safe. Stop fighting us.”

Hugo barks, loud and piercing. The sound seems to slice through whatever hell he’s trapped in. Liam’s body goes rigid. His chest stills, then rises in a shuddering breath. Torque doesn’t let go.

“Liam,” he repeats softly this time. “Lee, we’re here.”

Liam blinks rapidly, like he is trying to see. “Wrenley?”

“She’s fine,” Max says, still holding him steady. “She’s right here.”

I crawl out from behind Max and sit next to Liam on the bed, cupping his face with both hands. “I’m here, love,” I say, my voice shaking. “I’m right here.”

His eyes lock on mine and something inside him breaks. Max and Wrecker slowly ease their grip, still watching for signs he’s going to snap again.

Torque stays close, arms still around Liam.

“We’ve got you,” I whisper.

Liam nods, breath catching, his voice hoarse. “You’re alright?”

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around him, pressing my forehead to his. “You didn’t hurt me. I’m fine. We’re good.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, over and over. “I’m so sorry.”

They let him go, completely. His hands find my face, thumbs trembling as he wipes the tears off my cheeks. His own are falling now, silent and slow.

“It’s okay Liam. Everything’s okay.”

And at this moment, I think we both believe it.

The trees cast wide shadows across the garden, the sun just starting to rise enough to warm the stone path beneath my bare feet. I sit under the oak tree in the grass, knees tucked up, Liam’s hoodie swallowing me whole. The air smells like dew and the blooms of last night's roses.

Torque walks out carrying two mugs of coffee. He doesn’t say anything at first, just hands me one and lowers himself near me. I wrap both hands around the warmth.

“Are you alright?” he asks eventually, his voice soft like he’s afraid I’ll lie to him.

I nod, exhaling through my nose. “Yeah… I mean, that was terrifying. Watching him like that. Not being able to stop it.”

Torque watches the steam rise from his cup. “He hasn’t had one that bad in years. After he got home… they were constant. Night after night. Thought he’d rip the walls down. He’d come out swinging, like he was still over there. That’s why we couldn’t let him stand up.”

I glance over, my chest tightening. “T, what happened to him over there? I’ve never asked and he doesn’t talk about it.”

Torque shakes his head. “None of us really know. Just pieces from different things. He keeps it locked down so tight, I think sometimes he forgets he’s allowed to let it out.”