Page 18 of Taming Liberty

I stare at her for a moment until I realize she’s going to let me speak this time. “And how does this story end?”

“She ends up caught in the motor of one of your yachts.”

I flinch at that. I expected a harsh answer, but the reminder of how Beth’s body was found is too cold, too graphic.

It strikes me so hard that I can’t help but hit back.

“I suppose it’s a better ending than the one you’re writing for yourself.”

Her jaw slackens, and a brief flash of fear crosses her expression before she goes back to staring at the tide rolling in. “Go fuck yourself.”

The girl isn’t all cold. I’m seeing that now. I actually think she’s scared.

And she should be. After everything Jasper did…

Whatdidhe do? My eyes move to the cast covering her left arm.

“Are you all right?”

Her throat works as she swallows. I stare at her, thinking any moment she’ll break down, but when a full minute passes, I give up on her answer.

I follow her gaze out toward the ocean. “Listen, I understand why you don’t like me. I’m sure it’s very difficult for you to trust anyone on this island, and I don’t expect you to. I’m not here to win you over.”

“Then whyareyou here?”

“Liberty needs you… I want to take you to her, if you’re willing. I know you have preconceived notions about last night, but please, be kind to her. You don’t know what she’s going through the same way no one knows what you’re going through.”

“I don’t need you to tell me to be kind, asshole.”

Clearly.

She throws a glare my way, then I watch as her anger sobers. “Is she in trouble?”

“No. She’s…” For a moment, I consider telling her that Lib is no longer a manor whore. That I bought her so she wouldn't be harmed. I come to my senses before doing so. “No, she isn’t in trouble.”

“Good.” She lets out a sharp breath, her tough composure seeming to flatten. She looks down at her towel and sweeps away grains of sand that have intruded her space. She does this with so much focus, the act looks meditative.

“I was afraid she was dead,” Naomi says, her voice soft, maternal-like. A caring friend replacing the vicious wolf she showed me.

I like her.

“She’s safe. I promise.”

So are you. The words are on the tip of my tongue, and I come so close to making the promise I know I won’t keep. I like Naomi. I feel for Naomi. But this is exactly why I don’t like to get mixed up with new women on the island. It reminds me just how fucking depraved this place is.

I’m not a savior. Not even for Lib. I just… Sometimes my conscience would like me to be.

I swallow the words and slowly stand. “Come on.” I extend my hand. “It’s a short walk.”

6

Liberty

My hair whips wildly as I wave the blow dryer over my scalp, the whirr drowning out the lawnmower roaring outside. I peeked through the bathroom window when it started up, but I didn’t recognize the man driving it. He either isn’t from the manor or he’s new.

New slaves. New guards. New residents. New, new, new, all the time. This place sucks the life from new inhabitants and spits the bones into the ocean while a fresh boat of people sets sail.

I turn off the blow dryer, the sound of the mower reaching my ears again, and I finger comb my locks. I open a drawer and rifle through the new makeup products before selecting a light pink shaded lipstick. I pop off the cap and hover it in front of my lips, staring at myself in the mirror.

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