Page 57 of For the Love of Layla

“They put you in Fairview?!” He cuts me off. The sound of crashing makes me jump, earning me a loaded look from the attendant. “Stay put,”

I can’t leave.

“I’ll get Peaches and I’ll be there in less than an hour, okay?”

“Liam, it’s an involuntary hold. There’s nothing you can do.” My voice breaks, even though I’m completely numb. Like tears are just my body’s go to now.

“Do you want to stay?” He asks, the agitation in his voice clear. “God no.” I sob. I know I need to reel it in. If I freak out too much, they’ll take my phone again. Taking a deep breath, I stare at the light gray sweats I’m wearing, their crisp hospital smell.

I don’t want him to see me like this. Either of them. Maybe I should stay.

“I’ll see you in a bit, little star.”

I don’t have time to argue before the line goes dead, my heart fluttering at his use of the nickname he had for me. I almost feel bad for anyone that tries to argue with him about breaking me out of here. I know first-hand how Liam gets, so sure of himself, always. What willhedo when he knows Liam took me out of here? Will it make things worse? I’m okay with it, if it does. I have nothing left to give. No fight left in me. I’ll let Liam help. I’ll go to him, be safe with him like I wanted to since the day I pushed him out. This isn’t his fight, but I can’t do it alone.

I need Liam. I’ve always needed Liam.

Liam

My lawyers have her out and waiting for me by the time I pull into the manicured circle drive of Fairview. The large water fountain is empty for the winter, only dead bugs and leaves decorating the inside. The morning sun reflects off her wild ash brown hair, making it look like a halo around her head. Her amber-colored eyes shine more golden than I’ve ever seen them when they find mine and my heart clenches in my chest.

She’s so perfect.

Even after everything we’ve been through. It’s clear by the lack of dirt on her pale skin they helped her get clean. The idea of someone else seeing her body makes rage threaten this beautiful moment. It’s everything I have not to march inside and crush the skull of anyone who she came in contact with. Anyone who fed, touched, or looked at my Layla. She doesn’t speak the whole ride back to my house, but she’s right here. Everything I’ve ever wanted is sitting within arm’s reach, yet she feels so distant. So painfully far away.

This is what you wanted. To break her. She’s broken.

I was indescribably happy when she called me, playing right into the web I spun for her. Granted I had no idea those fucks would have her committed. She’s told me in bits and pieces things about her past. The minor details and her previous stay at Fairview I had to find out on my own. My grip tightens on the steering wheel for the first time since this started. I’m doubting myself. The guilt is short lived as she slips her hand over, tugging at the sleeve of my shirt until I release the wheel, sliding my hand into hers. Her skin is cold, her fingers and knuckles scraped up something I hadn’t noticed the last time I visited her. I raise my knee to the wheel, steering with it for a moment so I can turn up the heat for her. Unwilling to let go of her, even for a second.

My little love. Mine.

She doesn’t react as we pull into my garage, nor does she move a muscle as I hesitantly drag my hand from hers. Her grip was so tight on me I had to wiggle it free as she stares off into the dark floorboard, not trulylookingat anything there. I open up her door, pulling her into my arms as she clenches the fabric of my shirt, silent tears slipping free from those goddamn eyes. Peaches barely lifts a head as we walk in. I took her to my place last night when Layla took off, didn’t feel right leaving her barking all alone. I clench Layla tighter, reminding myself to ease up when she winces.

When this is all said and done, please know it was done from love. Every moment has been because I cannot and will not live without you.

Sitting her gently on our bed, I head into the bathroom and begin filling the tub with water. Grabbing the eucalyptus Epsom salt she likes so much. It always made her smile brighten when the smell hit her after a long day at work. Every time that cunt Danvers would run her ragged, she’d come home to a bath ready for her, even if I had to have a maid start it while I was out. I doubt I’ll see that smile tonight.

By the time I come back for her she’s halfway asleep, no doubt still heavily under the influence of whatever drugs they forced her to take. The idea of anyone but me forcing anything down that pretty throat of hers makes me bite down on my raw inner cheek. I sit her on the edge of the bath, bending down and gently removing the sandals they gave her. She watches me intently as I work the pants down her soft legs, letting the back of my scabbing fingers trail along her skin. She grips my hand, stopping me before I can do the same with her underwear and I clench my jaw as she stares down sheepishly, “Can you step out for a moment?”

“No.”

“Please…” She whispers, squeezing her thighs together tightly.

You’re mine, and you know better than to hide from me.

“Why can’t I see you, Layla?” My voice comes out harsher than I wanted it to and she tucks her hair behind her small ears, “I need to take out my tampon. Alone.” Relief and amusement flood my chest, trying and failing to hide my smile as her cheeks warm. It’s easy to pull her slender fingers from my wrist, wrapping one hand around both of hers. Keeping them pinned gently out of the way while I work her underwear down her legs. She doesn’t stop me when I release her wrists, letting me part her legs and gently pull the string. She covers her eyes with the back of her arm as I discard her tampon in the bathroom trash.

She’s so cute.

I almost kneel in front of her again, barely able to resist taking her down here, showing her she’s got nothing to be embarrassed about. Not with me. Not ever. I don’t. That’s not what my sweet little star needs right now. She lifts her arms, allowing me to remove her top as her round breasts fall free. My heart stills in my chest as I see the deep bruise forming on her shoulder, a sick hot feeling bleeding into my gut, “Who did this?” I growl through gritted teeth. She freezes before bringing her hand up and rubbing the mottled skin absent-mindedly. “Layla, who the fuck did that?” I fist the sweatshirt in my hand as I stare at her, waiting for an answer.

Don’t make me ruin this peace between us. I swear on everything if you say your stalker I-

“You can’t freak out. It was my fault, I slapped him.” She placates, refusing to meet my eyes.

Him? Who is him, Layla? You have until the count of five before I shove that pretty head underneath the water.

One.

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