Page 144 of Loving the Liar

“I will stop at nothing to have her, Luke.”

His jaw clenches tightly as he faces me again. “I don’t think you understand me. You are my best friend. You were a brother to me. But you are not above her. She comes first. She always has. If you go near her again, I will kill you.”

“You’re not going to kill me.” I’m not making it sound like a threat, but I know what I’m saying. I know this man. He won’t.

He chuckles. “No, I won’t.” Then he shrugs. “I’ll get you killed. Just like I did with my dad. I wanted him out, and I found someone to do the dirty job for me. I can do the same for you.”

Now, that sounds a lot more possible. For a second, I wonder if I manipulated Luke into getting rid of his dad, or if he used me to do the job so his hands would stay clean.

His threat is very real. I’m pretty sure I should fear for my life. But my life is meaningless if it’s without Ella.

“I have a question for you too,” I rasp. “If you’re drowning and only one person keeps you afloat, why would you let go of your lifeline?”

Taking a step toward him, I try to keep his attention for one more second.

“Ella is my lifeline.”

He still walks away, leaving behind his hanging threat.

But I warned him. I told him I would stop at nothing, and I hope he took that seriously and is preparing his defense, because I already know what my attack is.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through pictures I’ve been keeping for this very reason. I really wish I didn’t have to do this, but Luke didn’t leave me a choice.

If Ella thought I’d mess with her life before…she’s about to find out exactly how far I’ll go to have her. To keep her.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ella

Daylight - David Kushner

Ilove you. That’s what matters. I love you, Nicole.

I grab the remote and turn off the TV.

“What did you do that for?” my brother asks, taking the remote from my hand.

I’m lying on the sofa, my head on the pillow I put on his lap.

“Because I’m sick of romantic movies.”

“You love those stupid holiday movies. He was about to stop her from going back to New York.” He turns the TV back on. “I need to know if she stays in their hometown.”

I snatch the remote back. “She does. Those endings aren’t realistic. We must stop watching them.”

“You watch them,” he mutters.

“You love them. Shut up.”

I sit up and he messes with my hair. His eyes drop to the bandages on my right thigh, and I pull down the sleep shorts I’m wearing. “Stop looking at them, Luke. I’m fine.”

“It’s the worst it’s ever been.”

My gaze drops. “I know. But it’ll never be like that again. I feel better.”

“It was yesterday. It’s okay if you don’t feel better, but you need to let me know.”

I throw my head back, looking at the ceiling of the theater room in our family home, and decide to change the topic.

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