Page 56 of Southie
I laughed as we both got into the truck. We had a lot of planning to do on the way back to Boston. I couldn’t believe it. The time had finally come for me to get out from under Paddy and hopefully live my dream. I just prayed Camilla would still be open to exploring what was developing between us.
Chapter 10
Camilla
I’d done a decent job avoiding Liam for over a month. I stayed clear of the gym like my father had suggested, although it had been for my own reasons. With the time apart, I became less sure I’d made the right decision pulling away from him.
My mind and heart were in a constant battle with one another. When I wanted to say the hell with it, my mind reminded me Liam’s job was killing people, but my heart…my heart just wanted him no matter what.
There were countless times I longed to hear his voice. Some days, I just wanted to hear him say everything would be all right in that tone that had every hair on my body standing on end.
There’d been days the phone calls from Frankie or whoever he’d gotten to harass me were overwhelming. The times where they had been so rough, I’d answer screaming, pleading for him to leave me alone. Live his life. But either evil laughs echoed over the receiver or nothing but silence was the response. However, I knew in my heart if I heard Liam’s voice, it would soothe my frustration and anger over the situation.
Then there were the days fear crippled me. Those days when eyes were on me, or I caught glimpses of the black Audi. Those times, I had to stop myself from calling him to beg for his help to keep me safe. The few times that happened, my finger hovered over the call button and I knew in my heart he’d protect me at all costs, but it wasn’t fair for me to call him when I needed him. I was the one who’d pushed him away.
So, instead of calling the one person I yearned to hear from to save me, I chickened out, calling Detective Rizzo instead.
If I was being honest with myself, my anger and fear weren’t because of Liam’s job. It was crazy that him killing people hadn’t concerned me. I understood he had no other choice. It was how he’d saved his parents. The few times I’d been with Liam and around Mrs. Daugherty, I noticed that being a protector was his nature. Regardless of his relationship with his parents, he would always protect them.
What had angered me was that I was falling fast for the man Paddy had sent to kill my father. I was more furious with myself than him, and it was the real reason I’d asked for space. My feelings for him and the strong feelings that remained even after he confessed his intentions with my father were hard to reconcile. I wanted to hate him, but instead, I wanted him with a passion beyond my understanding. Not only did it scare me that I wanted to be with him, but it pissed me off. How could I still want the man who wanted to kill my father?
Over a month now, I’d been questioning what was wrong with me…what was wrong with my heart. Questioning why, after the man who admitted he was going to murder my father, my body still longed to be next to him. My heart still ached for him.
Strong arms wrapped around me when I bumped into someone on the street. “I’m so sorry,” I said when I raised my head. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
Brown, beady eyes stared back at me, and an uncomfortable feeling encompassed me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I quickly stepped back out of his embrace. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place the face.
“No problem, sweetheart, but you should be more aware of your surroundings,” he said, taking a step closer to me.
The warning signs began to glare. Something was off with this man.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.
Not wanting any more interaction with the stranger, I quickly walked away.
When I reached the door of my father’s gym, I looked back down the sidewalk, and the man was still standing there, staring. My hands began to tremble when he smiled.
Why is he standing there looking at me?
After a few more minutes, he turned and walked away. He was right. I needed to be more aware of my surroundings.
“Camilla!” my father roared when I walked into the gym for another one of hisfreepromotional shoots. “You’re late again!”
My eyes darted quickly around the gym to see if Liam was there, and my shoulders slumped when I didn’t see him. I’d hoped today would be the day we’d finally see each other after time apart, but my brain fought against those feelings and relief engulfed me.
I’d been staying away from the gym so I wouldn’t run into him. He’d been there because my father, who rarely complimented fighters, had boasted about Liam and how much potential he had. If he was there today, what would I even say to him? Had there been enough space and time to get over the indecisive feelings I’d been warring with?
Without acknowledging my father, I hurried into his office. Today, wasn’t the day for him to be railing against me. Too much had been on my mind. The taps on the door a few minutes later had me holding my breath. After a few minutes, my anxiety lessened and, turning towards the door, I braced myself for the man I’d longed to see.
“Come in.”
Damian sauntering in like he owned the place caused me to roll my eyes and focus on something other than him. He wasn’t who I wanted to see, but at least he wasn’t my father.
“What’s up, Camilla?” he asked.
Before Liam, Damian’s smile and voice would’ve brought on my own, but not anymore. Lately, it only irritated me. I’d been trying to avoid him since I walked away from Liam, but sometimes, like now, he’d corner me and badger me about going out on a date. I’d done my best politely turning him down each time, especially after connecting with Liam, but his constant insistence was grating on my nerves. My mood had been horrible lately, but I had no one to blame except myself. I missed Liam, but it was my fault we weren’t together. He tried to contact me, but I couldn’t push myself to respond no matter how much I wanted to.
“Camilla? Camilla?”
