Page 61 of Bully's Darkness
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“Fuck?” repeats Liv, glancing back and forth between us. “What is that?”
“It was a listening device,” Whizz tells her. “I crushed it.”
“Which is pointless if he’s heard everything you’ve just said,” snaps Bria, pacing nervously.
“He didn’t,” Whizz reassures her. “It was in one of Liv’s handbags in her wardrobe. It wouldn’t have picked us up inhere.” He sits beside his laptop and begins tapping away to check Liv’s new phone.
“Explains how he knew things,” mutters Liv. “I take that bag out with me. I also had it when you listed the things you knew about me,” she says, glancing away.
Knowing she didn’t tell him those personal things calms me some, and I offer a sympathetic smile. Proving to her I was right all along, that Dagger’s been using her to get to me, doesn’t make me feel better. The entire situation is shit.
“Your mobile isn’t tracked,” says Whizz. “Did you have that bag on you at The Woodthorpe?” Liv nods. “So, he didn’t track you there. He either followed you or he heard your conversation.” He closes the laptop and begins to pack his equipment away.
Liv suddenly looks alarmed. “Now what?”
I shrug. As hard as it is, I’m gonna do as she asked and give her space. “There’s nothing else here. Whizz has checked everywhere. I’ve spoken to security, and they know not to let anyone past, especially not Dagger.”
I head for the door, followed by Whizz, and when I glance back, she’s watching me with her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Call me if you need anything,” I say, opening the door. “I don’t have your number, so don’t expect me to call you.” Her brows furrow. “And be careful, Liv.”
We take the stairs, and once we step out through the back door, Whizz laughs. “Fuck, Pres, that was awkward.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter, jumping on a shed roof and hauling myself up over the wall. I reach back to grab Whizz’s equipment. “But it’s what she wanted.” We jump down into the next garden. “Did you add a tracker?” I ask.
Whizz smirks. “Of course. I’ve sent her number to your phone so you can track her.” It’s a shitty thing to do, but I have to makesure she’s safe, and it’s clear from her messages to that piece of shit that she’s trying to handle all this in her own way.
We pull up around the back of the club—an agreement we made to be less in the firing line should the Scorpions try to take a shot—when my mobile beeps.
I smile when I see the number, immediately saving it under ‘Liv’.
Liv: My number. Just in case you want it.
Me: Thank you. I hope you’re okay. It was a lot to take in.
Liv: Bria’s freaking out. Nothing new there.
I head inside, not checking again until I’m in my office. I’m surprised to find another message.
Liv: There’s nothing between me and Dagger, Liam. I swear x
I stare at the message for a minute, my emotions mixing up a storm. I take a breath before replying.
Me: It’s your life, Liv, but please, don’t date a biker.
I won’t handle any guy being with her. I know that. She knows that. But somehow, a biker hits so much worse.
Liv: Dating is the last thing on my mind. X
I sit back in my chair before typing out my next words.
Me: I’ve made so many mistakes, Liv. Hurting you was my biggest. You neverdeserved that, and I know you don’t believe it, but I love you. I will always love you. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry x
I stare, holding my breath, waiting for her to reply. It doesn’t come. A minute passes, then two. I throw my phone in the drawer. I have a war to finish, and waiting for Liv to respond is just tying me up in knots.
Church is chaos. The men are all trying to talk at once, all wanting to be heard. As I enter, silence falls. Misty is waiting in my chair, and she stands, wagging. Now Liv’s gone, I might have to face it that Misty is gonna be the only female in my life. I smirk at that thought.
She jumps down, making room for me, and once I sit, she jumps in my lap.
