Page 47 of A Promise For Tomorrow

“When you once promised me forever, you meant it then, ya?” I barely recognize the sound of my own voice as it breaks with grief.

Of what could have been.

Of what we had at one time.

“Of course I did. I never expected for my feelings to ever falter for you. I love you, Liam. I really do. I just don’t feel that we are ever going to go back to who we were. I’m never going to be that girl you met.”

“Tell me why. I’d do anything for you, Madison. You’re my fucking soul, don’t you see that?” I beg, my chest tightening with each beat.

“You’re more protective of me than ever. Being the leader of your syndicate is going to make you even more on edge, caging me in…and I can’t have that. I can’t breathe when you are like that. The night I got taken, everything changed for us. I wanted to get back to us more than anything. Those months leading up to last New Year’s Eve, I wanted to try again. Had Diego not showed up and thrown off my equilibrium, I would have asked you if we could have had a fresh start.But he did.”

I shake my head against the mattress in denial. “You left usboth. Doesn’t that say something? We could have hit the restart button. You could have told Diego to fuck off.”

“I could have. I’d be lying if I said that the space from the both of you wasn’t important. I needed that time to get my head on straight.”

“The chemistry we can get back. We just need time. We don’t have to rush this. It can go at a slower pace.” I grasp on to anything that will keep her here. Even if only for a little bit longer. Perhaps I really am just clinging to desperation at this point.

A lone tear slips down her cheek as she maneuvers her whole body to her side to look at me.

“It’s not there anymore. I know you felt that confirmation just now. You felt it in the shower and you felt it back at your office. There are two people we share that flame with that we can’t forget about. That is what is preventing us from taking this further. The hesitancy is why we can’t do this.”

“Fuck, baby.” I turn to my side to get closer to her. She’s right. Doesn’t mean I want her to be. My heart beats frantically against my sternum as I prepare to agree with her. We will always be in each other’s lives. Just not how we had once imagined it.

“You are my soulmate, Liam. Maybe in this lifetime we just weren’t meant to be together. I want to thank you for always being there for me, always protecting me—even if you can be over the top with it. Thank you for always loving me until there wasn’t anything else to give. You were so fucking patient with me, especially after Diego died…You even respected my wishes while I was gone. You’re an extraordinary man. Inside and out, Liam. Lainey or whoever you end up with is going to be a lucky girl.”

A tear trickles over my lower lid, curving over the bridge ofmy nose and onto our conjoined hands. I sniffle and clear my throat, trying to get it the fuck together, but it’s been a hell of an emotional twenty-four hours.

“I love you, Madison. Always and forever. This life or the next. I can promise that. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to give Lainey this side of me. You’re the only woman I have ever truly been this vulnerable with. So thankyou, princess. For teaching me how to lower my guard for those I care about. I’ve lived a miserable existence up until your beautiful face came waltzing into my bar.” A laugh escapes me, elevating the moment from somber to reminiscent.

A little sob-laugh slips past her lips, which are attempting to form a melancholy smile.

She shimmies over to me and I lift my arm so she can snuggle in closer. Her face presses into my neck, probably the only place that doesn’t have blood on it, as my hand holds the back of her head. I place a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Her delicate hand clamps my back between my shoulder blades, gripping my sweatshirt. Tears land one by one onto my neck, dripping down my chest as our erratic breathing slows.

“Promise me no matter what happens now, we stay true to who we are. I will always protect you, Madison. If you are in danger, you bet your pretty arse I’m jumping into action.”

“Fine. But promise me in return that you’ll give your all to your relationship with Lainey. I want you to be happy. You deserve love and someone who brings you joy, Liam. Open up. Let her get close to you. You need to let me go.”

Placing another kiss to the top of her head, I nod. “Okay, sweetheart. I promise.”

I’m not sure if I really do plan on letting her go, but I have to try.

Madison’s breathing becomes steady, her back rising and falling under my hand. The warmth of her exhales tickle my neck.

She’s asleep.

Poor thing is exhausted from these last few days. Last night and this morning have been intense. I wrap my arms around her more firmly, adding this moment to my memories, for it is the last time I’ll ever get to hold her like this. Our hearts beat in sync like they always do.

Soulmate. Lover. Friend.

I’ll always be hers. Doesn’t matter what category she puts me in. I’d still jump in front of a bullet for her. I’d still empty my bank account for her. Where Lainey will have my love, my passion, respect, and honor, Madison will always have me as her protector.

And now she’ll have Diego to love her.

I’ve seen how they are. There’s no denying it anymore. He brings out a side of Madison that is dripping in regality. An absolute queen when she’s around him. She’s courageous, strong, and determined. I could never take that from her. She deserves to feel that way. If Diego is what makes her happy, then I’ll bow out.

That’s all I want.

To see Maddy smile.

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