Page 50 of For the Love of Layla

He shuts the door, locking it before grabbing the useless fire extinguisher again. I can’t help the false sense of security those locks give me as I push myself to my feet, my shaking hands dialing 911.

“This expired in 2010, Layla, for fuck’s sake.”

“For the love of God, Liam, shut up.”

He walks to the drawer where I used to keep my anxiety medication frowning as he pulls open the drawer, noticing it’s not there. I shake my head. I know it’s stupid to refuse to take it. I need it.

Badly.

“911, what is your emergency?”

They’ll have to believe me now.

Liam

I clench my fists together, staring at the hardwood floor as I struggle to stay seated, listening to these pompous cops speak to her like she hasn’t got two brain cells to rub together is wearing on my nerves. Granted, the lack of help from the police only benefits me in the end. Sure, I have enough money to make most anything go away, but not everyone can be bought.

“Miss. Burke, we aren’t saying we don’t believe you, it’s just that we’ve been through this repeatedly and there’s been-”

Alright.

My dining chair screeches loudly through the battered walls of Layla’s house as I abruptly stand from my seat. “How about you do your fuck-”

“Liam!” Layla scolds me before pinching the bridge of her nose. No doubt worrying about the amount of sleep she’ll have for work tomorrow. It’s nearly three in the morning. When I reach her, I trail my fingers down the soft skin on her arm, making it break out in goosebumps. She watches me as I pretend to take note of the actual state of her home. Like I wasn’t the one who did it.

You don’t need to work, little love. I can take care of you.

My jaw ticks as the cop, Adrien Daniels, turns his attention to me, “Mr. Curran, have you seen the person playing pranks on your girlfriend?”

Don’t smile.

“Fiancée.” I correct him, earning myself a scowl from my adorably agitated Layla. “I haven’t, but as she already explained to you, I was here when the cocktail was thrown. I had to help her put it out.” I fight back another smirk as I think about the way she frantically dashed around, like a scared helpless little mouse. She needs me. He just nods, as others finish pointlessly bagging the shattered glass, they won’t find anything on them. Not only is my associate smart enough to wear gloves, the fire and alcohol would have thoroughly destroyed all trace evidence, anyway.

More importantly, I’ve etched another notch of doubt in my girl’s mind. Another crack in her exterior.

Even now I can tell how exhausted she is leaning on me, as if she can’t hold herself up. These moments being so close to her… herneedingme, it’s all I’ve wanted since the first moment I met her.

“You can go too, Liam.”

I beg your fucking pardon?

She takes a deep breath pushing off of me, “If you hadn’t shown up tonight this wouldn’t have happened. I’m… his at least for the time being.” Her voice breaks, tugging on the strings of my heart as she grips her arms tightly across her chest.

Yes… yes you are. All mine.

“Like fucking hell you are! How can you say that? These incompetent fucks won’t write down your report, let alone-” Officer Daniels steps closer, placing a hand between us.

Get your fucking hand away from her.

I turn, slamming my fist dead center in his chest, knocking him back, fighting the smile when the others lingering outside on the porch swarm jerking my hands behind my back. I put on a good show, fighting their hold, turning my attention back to Layla who is gawking at the scene. “Tell them I can stay. Do it now.”

“I think it’s best you go home, Mr. Curran.” Officer Daniels warns rubbing the spot where I punched him, as if it means anything to me.

“Layla.” I spit out as they drag me outside.

She stares at the table, tears slipping down her flushed cheeks and I want so badly to wipe them away for her. As soon as Officer Daniels and his playground pals escort me to my car, he flicks on the good cop switch, but I know better. He doesn’t give a fuck about her. The thought annoys me, enough to slice open his chest. I also know that if she didn’t think it would cost his job, he would’ve arrested me already.

“Look, Liam-”

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