Page 58 of For the Love of Layla

Two.

“It was Officer Daniels. That’s why they arrested me. Please, Liam, he was only doing his job, my shoulder dislocated. It’s okay now.” I breathe deeply, my eyes glued to the bruise as I take her hand steering her into the tub, watching as the warm water slips over her battered skin. “Liam, say something please. You can’t hurt him.”

I crack my neck, “Tell me you’ll stay this time. Swear to me you won’t leave me and I’ll let it go.” The lie tastes like battery acid in my mouth. I willneverlet it go. I’d kill dozens for less for you.

Nobody hurts you, Layla. Nobody but me.

She reaches for me, pressing her hand to my chest, frowning as my heart races on the inside. “I swear I won’t go. Just please, don’t hurt anyone.” I remove her hand from my chest, pressing her palm to my lips gently. Letting her touch calm me in the way only she can.

“Thank you.” She whispers, her eyes finding mine as I pick up the pitcher from the floor, slowly pouring the water over her exposed shoulders. I don’t try to stop my smile as I lean in kissing her forehead, trying to put every ounce of what I feel for her into a single kiss. It’s the glint of a smile in her eyes as I pull back that tells me these ten months of hell have been worth it. “I would do anything for you, you know that, right?”

Even the things you don’t want. The ugly nasty things only I know you need.

The rest of the day is perfect, just like her. She swaps between fits of tears and staring blankly at the pictures on the television screen. When her tears come, I’m there to wipe them away, just like I should’ve always been. By the time night hits, she’s practically glued to me. The way her touch lingers, how her lips grace my chest makes it damn near impossible to pull away. I adjust my cock in my pants as I walk out of the bedroom to get her a cup of hot tea. I’m careful to only use one of her sleeping pills this time as I mix it in with sugar. Half would probably work just as efficiently at knocking her out, but I don’t want to risk her trying to run when I’m away. Not now that she’s finally come home. I should have never let her go. I let that fucking prick hurt her. All because I was too scared for her to see me yet, I wasn’t ready. This is my fault and it’s up to me to make it right.

Three teaspoons of honey, just the way she likes it.

I didn’t want to do this to her again, forcing her medication on her. I want to stay here, holding her tightly to my chest, but I can’t. Not knowing he’s walking around out there.

No, that simply won’t do.

Our happily ever after has to come with a clean break, a fresh start. That’s the only way it’ll work after the things I’ve done. This is the last time, one final white lie before I bare my soul to her. Revealing every dirty trick I used to earn her love again. Her attention. I sit the cup on the side table as I tug her tightly into me, pulling the covers in around us as she settles into my arms. She requested I didn’t charge or turn her phone on. Not for any reason, it’s not hard to imagine why. She’s comfortable for the first time in a month and it’s with me. She finishes it quickly, gently tracing invisible designs on the palms of my hands as her eyelids droop.

“Why didn’t you fight for me?” Her voice is small and weak as she fights the effects of the drugs. I freeze where I am my fingers still working through her hair.

I’ve done nothing but fight for you.

“That day when I broke up with you, you just…stared at me.”

My heart clenches in my chest, the wound still raw and riddled with infection, “I wanted to, I really did. I just froze.” I resume playing with her hair, hoping she’ll leave it at that.

“What made you freeze?”

Stubborn, little star. Go to sleep.

“When I was a little boy, I lost someone very close to me. She left me all alone. I was confused and scared. It felt like that day all over again. Layla, that’s why I’ve done all the things I’ve done because if you leave. If I truly lose you, neither of us will survive it.” I glance down, waiting to the look of panic, of knowing in her eyes at my small admission, but they are closed as she slips deeper into sleep. It felt good admitting that to her, although I have no idea how much she’ll remember nor how much she even heard. I untangle myself from her as I slip out of bed, silently dawning the chest harness and my leather jacket. Pulling the k-bar knife from my closet and holstering it as I bend down, kissing her softly.

“Sweet dreams, baby. I’ll be home soon.”

I let Peaches out and give her a few head pats before I set out. It was only a matter of minutes and a few searches to find out where he lives. For a cop, he isn’t very liberal with what he shares on his social media. Geo tagging his own address multiple times like a fucking idiot. I can’t hold back my excitement as I get in my car, slipping my gloves on before hitting play on the radio.

Chapter fifteen

Vengeance

Twisted by MISSIO

IsitoutsideOfficerDaniels’ home, waiting long after the last light shuts off before I try to go in. I pull up the surveillance feed to my house one last time, smiling as Peaches sneaks up into bed next to Layla. She rolls to her stomach, snuggling into the massive dog. Looking just as perfect as she always has, dressed in my clothes laying in our bed. I take a deep breath, trying to settle my excited energy cracking my neck as I exit the car. It doesn’t come as a surprise when I pick the lock to the back door easily.

That badge has made you complacent, Officer Daniels. A shame.

Every step I take closer to him the hotter my anger burns. The thought of him hurting her, touching her when all she wanted was help. I slip inside the small house, smirking at the wall of pictures lining the tan hallway. All of him and his new wife, a few scattered about of what I imagine are extended family. No kids, lucky for them.

God, I can only hope you never procreate. I should get you fixed, save the gene pool from those unfortunate genetics.

I falter in my steps slightly as my mother’s voice slices its way through my concentration. For once her constant flow of insults is helpful, the words making the hatred building inside of me ripen. I take another step, freezing when Mrs. Daniels steps from the bedroom; her glasses sat high on her head. My heart skips a beat as she continues into the bathroom across the hall.

She didn’t even notice.

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