Page 52 of Loving the Liar

He’s not asking. He’s not the kind of person who bursts into a room and screams who did this to you?

He simply tells you that you’re going to admit to him who hurt you.

“Megan knows. What you and I did last Christmas. She hates me. Rightly so.”

I hope that answers the question.

He acknowledges what I say with a nod. “She hates everyone. She’s very possessive.” Pushing that topic to the side, he carries on. “I hate when you make me repeat myself.” So, instead of doing so, he just offers me the pills again.

I know he won’t forget it’s her. I might even have gotten her in trouble. But right now, I don’t care. She fucking hit me.

The weight of tonight makes me feel heavy, exhausted. I take a deep breath, my eyes fluttering shut as I attempt to keep my calm.

“I want to go home.”

“There’s no going home once you initiate, and you know that.”

His hand wraps painfully around my jaw, prying it open, and he pushes the two pills in my mouth. “What did I say about making me repeat myself? These will help with the pain.”

I dry-swallow them, practically choking, and once he makes sure they’re gone, and that he deems me taken care of, his demeanor switches, his grip tightening.

I try to shake my head, but there’s no escaping once his possession shows.

“Caught by Reeves? Did you plan that?”

My eyes widen, heart stopping. “Are you insane?” I hiss. It’s not very powerful with my limited freedom.

“I’m not, but he is. And if you don’t spill whatever has been going on between you and him, you will be alone here, Ella. I will turn my need to protect you into dust and blow it into the wind. Believe me.”

I take a staggered breath, unable to imagine what a life without Chris being my protector could be like.

“Once,” I rasp.

I feel the growl that rumbles low in his chest all the way to his fingertips as they tighten around my jaw.

“I was desperate,” I squeak.

He takes a deep breath, lets go of me completely, and closes his eyes. He’s trying to calm himself. I know him, know what he’s doing. He asked. I answered. And even if he hates said answer, he doesn’t want to punish me for doing what I was told.

“Look me in the eyes, Ella.”

I hadn’t even realized my gaze had dropped submissively. I dig my eyes into his, barely able to carry the weight of the tension between us.

“Never. Again. Is that clear?” And the threatening tone is enough to make me want to never disappoint him again.

“He said I was his for the night,” I rasp. “Because he caught me.”

“You let me take care of that.”

“And all the other times? I’m an Aphrodite now. He has access to me anytime he wants. So do all the other Shadows.”

“Ella.” He stops my spiraling with a firm tone. “The way it’s always worked between us is that you do what you’re told, and I deal with everything else. So, confirm for me. No Reeves again. Ever. Clear?”

I nod.

“Give me words.”

“Y-yes. Never again.”

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