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Chapter 20
Liberty hated the fact that she couldn’t stop shaking. “I’m fine.” Though deep down, she knew she was not fine. She had met the infamous Mr. Banks. “He flashed his gun around like it was a toy.”
Trent pulled the car over and turned to face her. “Lib, I’m so sorry. It’s going to be okay. I promise.” He reached for her, trying to bring her into his arms.
She was past the point of soothing. “Trent, please take me home. Please.”
Trent let out a sigh. “You want to go home? We just had confirmation that people are watching your house. You’re not safe there.”
Her mind felt foggy, and she couldn’t think clearly. “I don’t think I’m safe at the inn. Clearly, Banks is watching that, too.”
“But I’m at the inn,” he said, his expression stern. “I can protect you.”
“Just like you protected me in front of St. Paul?”
Trent’s mouth fell open.
“I’m sorry.” Even before the words had come out, Liberty knew she was striking below the belt. “It was my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“I wanted to go see the stupid statue.” Tears threatened to fall. “It was my fault you almost just got killed. Just like Will and Ian.”
“No—”
But she cut him off. “Trent, listen. I was supposed to come to South Port, sell this place, and go do the Appalachian Trail. That was my plan. This wasn’t my plan, and now … I’m scared. I’m sorry, I just can’t do this.”
Trent gave her a hard look. He put the car into drive and took off toward her place. “It’s okay to be scared, but it’s not okay to run away. You’re in shock and you’re not thinking clearly.”
“Shut up!” She yelled at him. Dang it, she was in shock.
Tension built between them. Her mind kept returning to that night. Her baby crying. Will calling out to her to get Ian. The shattered glass. She wrapped her arms around herself.
Trent got to her place, turned off the car, and rushed around to open her door. He helped her out of the car and embraced her. “Can I please just stay with you? I’ll sleep on the floor in your room. I’ll sleep on the floor outside your room, but I can’t leave you by yourself. You’re in shock, Liberty,” he said, running his hands up and down her arms. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
It felt good to be in his arms, but there was this nagging energy inside her, the same kind of nagging she had felt the past year, the one that had made her quit her job in California and come to South Port. That energy still told her that once she got to the Appalachian Trail, everything would be better. “I thought I could be normal, but I’m not. I’ll never be normal again.”
He pulled back. “What do you mean?”
She sucked in a long breath. “I can’t do a relationship, Trent. I hate Banks. I hate what he’s done to your family. I wish …” She trailed off and tried to focus, but it was difficult with the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I wish I was strong like you, but I’m not. I don’t think I can do this. I don’t think I can do us.” She rushed to the side door that led to the kitchen.
The door opened, and to her surprise, her brother Tom appeared. He gave her a perplexed look. “Lib?” His eyes narrowed when he realized she wasn’t alone. “Trent Stone? What’s going on?”
“Hey, Tom.” Trent took the lead on answering his question. “Liberty and I went to a Christmas party in town tonight,” he said, his eyes meeting hers.
She wrapped her arms around herself again.
“Uh, I’m sorry to tell you that her association with my family has put her in a bad spot.” He went through everything that was happening with Banks.
To her brother’s credit, he took the news calmly, just shaking his head. “I have heard about the Stone family and the treasure and the recent developments. I knew you had some crazy billionaire that was on the loose in town a couple months ago, but I didn’t realize things had gotten to this point.” He nodded to Liberty. “I’m staying for a couple of days. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“It’s a big situation, I’m afraid that I need to stay,” Trent said. “I’ll sleep on the couch downstairs. I don’t care. But I’d like to make sure you guys are safe tonight.”
Liberty turned and met his gaze. Part of her heart broke, and the other part wanted to run away. “My brother is here. I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you both come and stay at the inn?”
She flung back. “Get. Out. Trent.”
