Page 67 of Debt of My Soul

“Where are you staying? Do you need?—”

A heavy sigh from Liam interrupts River. “She’s staying with me. She’ll be fine River. Let this play out,” he says.

River’s mouth drops open, and she grabs for my hand. “Did he claim you? I thought Adam was coming …”

I’m not sure what I can say without crying. This whole situation is screwed up, and the only thing keeping me from darting out the back door and hopping on a plane home is the fact that Blitz personally threatened my family. It’s not a chance I’m willing to take. I’m not brave. I run away from problems, not confront them. I’ll deal with it myself.

The warm gush of tears wells in my eyes and I smack them away, earning a glare from Liam. “It’ll be fine, River. Adam didn’t come. I’m not even sure where he is. But Liam … he technically saved my life.” I shrug my shoulders but allow thewords to sink in. “For now, I need some clothes and a few things.”

River yanks the collar of her red T-shirt to dab the corner of her eye, then shakes out both her hands at the same time.

“Whatever you need.”

It takes me a good hour to gather several pairs of jean shorts, tanks, T-shirts, and a couple of dresses. River digs through newly donated boxes to find some unopened underwear that will hold me over for now, and she places an order online for me I’ll be able to pick up when it comes in.

While I’m grabbing a couple of books and storage for some of my clothes, River approaches Liam at the front and they talk in hushed whispers. I tilt my head, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear, trying to hear their conversation, but it’s no use. I frown. They seem closer than I thought. Or maybe that’s small-town life for you.

“Cash or card, Liam?” River asks, and he pulls out his wallet, then hands over a card without knowing the total.Must be nice. Drug money at work.

She rings up my clothes and hands back Liam’s card. The urge to say thank you is on the tip of my tongue, but I quickly swallow it. River floats back around from behind the check-out counter and pulls me in for another hug.

“I’m sorry about everything. I’m just glad you’re safe and alive. Adam may still come yet,” River says, squeezing me a little past uncomfortable. When she releases me, Liam grunts toward the door, and River wrinkles her nose in disgust at him.

“Hold your horses. She’s coming.”

“Yeah. And I’ll tell Darrin you say hi,” Liam says.

River’s face goes as white as the freshly painted porch on the farmhouse I no longer have. She freezes, narrowing her eyes at Liam before shooing him with her hand.

Back in the truck, Liam starts it but doesn’t move. He props his elbow up on the window and rests his head in his hand there, rubbing at his forehead.

I study him out of the corner of my eye. He looks stressed. The fine lines around his mouth curve downward, and his eyes appear flooded with worry. He does a double take when he catches me staring.

“I figure we can stop at the drugstore. Get a few shower and bathroom items. I know you’re basically starting over.”

“Yep. That’s what happens when your house is set on fire.” It flies out of my mouth so fast I can’t take it back. I’m being rude to the man who’s trying to save his brother and help the random girl caught up in all of this. “Sorry …” I add.

“Don’t be.” Liam grips the wheel, backing out of the parking lot.

I grab what I need from the drugstore, feeling more comfortable about the days going forward with some basic amenities. I didn’t realize how low maintenance I was until I had to replace all my items at once and stripped my needs down to the minimum. I could tell Liam was slightly shocked by how little I walked away with. But I view this asoh so verytemporary. The moment I can, I’ll be leaving this town and my failed farmhouse dreams with it.

We turn down another road, an all too familiar one, and my eyes widen when we pull into the bed-and-breakfast parking lot—the employee one. Where I had one of my first encounters with Liam.

“What are we doing here?” I ask. I make zero attempt to hide my concern.

“Figure you’d want to check in with them? Let them know you’ll be out of work for a bit.”

“A bit?”

“It won’t be forever, Fleur. I can promise you that.” He doesn’t look at me when he says this. Only stares out the window toward the massive oak trees in the front lawn.

His words should bring me comfort, and they do in a way. Thereisan end in sight. I’m not sure what the rules are regarding how long one needs to be married before filing for a divorce, but surely a forced marriage won’t be contested.It will end, I say to myself.

I dismiss the odd sensation probing at my chest and reach for the door handle at the same time Liam opens his.

He directs me to the back kitchen door, which knowing he’s been here helping Mr. Northgate doesn’t ring as odd. What does seem odd is the way he walks right in. No knock. No doorbell. He didn’t even wait for me to walk inside.

I swallow, cautiously stepping in after him. He stops short, avoiding a box by the stairs. I accidentally slam into his back and wobble to the side, arm reaching out to grab the coat rack for balance.

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