Page 32 of Unpredictable Flames

Jake scoffed, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Easy for you to say. Liam's the reason I got shot!"

I cringed at the reminder, feeling a pang of guilt for not being able to protect Jake better. "I know, but we need to think rationally. Let's figure out what's going on first."

Taking a deep breath, Cole nodded in agreement. "Lily's right. We need to confront Liam, but we can’t let our emotions get the better of us."

Taking a deep breath, Jake reluctantly relaxed his grip, though the fire still burned behind his eyes. "You're right," he admitted grudgingly. "But we can't let him get away with this."

I winced as Jake's hand instinctively went to his injured shoulder, a reminder of the pain and betrayal he had endured. "You're still hurt, Jake," I pointed out gently. "We need to be careful."

Turning to Cole, I couldn't help but voice the burning question on my mind. "Why would Liam do something like this?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion.

Cole sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Lily," he admitted. "But I'm gonna find out."

Determination flashed in Jake's eyes as he spoke up. "I'm coming with you," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I shook my head, concern etched in my features. "Jake, your shoulder—"

"It's fine," he insisted, his voice resolute. "I need to do this."

Before I could protest further, Cole intervened. "Alright, but Lily, you don't have to—"

Cole opened his mouth to object, but I cut him off. "I'm not staying behind," I insisted, my voice tinged with defiance. "I was attacked too, remember? I have just as much right to confront Liam."

Cole hesitated, his expression torn, but with a resigned sigh, Cole nodded in defeat. "Fine," he conceded. "But let's try to keep a level head, okay?"

With that settled, we piled into Cole's car, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I sat in the backseat, my gaze fixed on Jake's reflection in the rearview mirror. He looked like a man possessed. His eyes burned with a fire that sent shivers down my spine, and I could only hope we were making the right decision.

As Cole's car pulled up to the house, I couldn't shake the tension coiling in my stomach. "Liam's been staying with his grandmother," Cole explained, his voice tight with anticipation. "We were supposed to head back to base this morning."

I nodded, my heart pounding in anticipation. This was it. The moment we'd been waiting for.

As we stepped out of the car, my eyes fell upon Liam's truck parked in the driveway. Memories flooded my mind from the night Jake was shot. The blaring car alarms echoed in the night as Liam fled, leaving Jake wounded and bleeding.

With a deep breath, we approached the front door, Cole leading the way. He rang the doorbell, and we waited in tense silence until the door creaked open to reveal Liam's smug face.

His expression quickly shifted from confusion to fear as he registered our presence on his doorstep, but before he could utter a word, Jake lunged forward with a primal roar, his fist connecting with Liam's nose with a sickening crunch.

"Jesus Christ, man!" Cole barked, moving swiftly to restrain Jake. "We're not here to fight."

Liam staggered back, a mixture of shock and pain written across his features. He doubled over, his hands instinctively flying to his face as crimson droplets stained the ground.

Jake glared at Liam, his chest heaving with anger. "You think you can just get away with this?"

“Jake calm down. I’ll handle this,” Cole said, then turned to Liam.

Turning to Liam, Cole's voice was cold and stern. “And you're coming with me. You have some questions to answer.”

Liam stammered in protest, but Cole cut him off with a steely glare. “Save it. We know it was you who attacked Lily and Jake that night.” Cole’s gaze drifted to Liam’s truck. “Next time you want to do something that stupid, get rid of the fucking car.”

I just stood there, watching the entire thing unfold. I couldn’t even say anything. Suddenly, Liam’s eyes locked onto mine, and I could see their fury.

“This is all your fucking fault!” he said, lunging at me, but Cole grabbed him by the hand, dragging him backward and twisting it behind his back.

“You go after my sister again, and I won’t hesitate to break your hand, you worthless piece of shit,” Cole spat.

Jake grabbed my shoulder, leading me back to Cole’s car. As Cole shoved Liam toward his car, it seemed he was going to take him back to the base himself.

As we got into Cole’s car and Jake drove away, I couldn't shake the adrenaline rush coursing through my veins. Liam may have thought he could evade justice, but he was wrong. And I was certain Cole would make sure he paid for what he'd done.

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