Page 34 of Silent Girl

“That’s because I do. I want to ravish every inch of that body of yours, princess,” I admit while my cock twitches his agreement.

“You see, that’s a problem, Liam. Because if I let you do that, we’ll both be in trouble.”

“Sometimes, trouble isfun,” I repeat the word she’s been so fond of using tonight.

“Not with my family, it isn’t. People who get into trouble with my family don’t fare too well.”

“I’ll survive, or I won’t. Either way, you’d be worth it.”

“No, I’m not.” She shakes her head, all the amusement suddenly drained from her voice. “Thanks for the water, and the room,” she says, but she doesn’t lift her eyes to look at me.

I watch as she walks past me and down the hall. I pause for a few seconds, only to find myself following her into the guest room, where she’s already climbing into bed.

“Why would you say that?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“Say what?”

“Say that you’re not worth it?”

“Because I’m not loveable, Liam King, and putting your job and life on the line for someone who’s not loveable isn’t worth it,” she says so simply that I know she really believes that.

I walk over to where she’s curled up on the bed. How the fuck can she possibly think she’s not loveable? I grab her chin, forcing her face to tilt upwards towards mine. I don’t think. I just act as I slam my lips down onto hers. I push my tongue past the seam of her mouth, savoring her taste as I try to show her in this kiss just how worth it she is. Then I pull away again, still a little shocked that she kissed me back, to be honest. But I can’t let this go any further, not while she’s still intoxicated.

“You areveryloveable, Aliyah Monroe,” I say before standing to my full height and walking out of the room.

I don’t know why I wanted to tell her that, why I needed her to realize just how worth it she is. Another thing I can’t seem to understand is the sudden desire I have to find the asshole who put that thought into her head in the first place. I want to find him, them, whomever and show 'em exactly what it’s like to feel less-than. Before I put them in the ground.

Not loveable?I shake my head as I step into the shower.

One of two things is going to happen in the morning. Either Aliyah’s going to wake up and hopefully not remember what happened between us, or remember it and want me to do it again.

It goes without saying that I’m hoping for option number two.

ChapterSeventeen

“No, please, Mommy. I didn’t mean to. I’ll do better. I will.” I beg her not to hurt me as she drags me into the bathroom. I don’t like it when she takes me in here.

She holds me under the water, and I can’t breathe. “You little bitch! You did it on purpose. You just want to make me mad. You want him all to yourself, don’t you? Well, you can’t have him. He’s mine. He was mine first.” She’s screaming now, calling me horrible names at the top of her lungs.

I don’t know who she’s talking about. I don’t know why she thinks I’m doing this. And I don’t know how to stop her. “No, Mommy, please. I’ll be good,” I try again.

“You don’t know how to be good. If I don’t get rid of you, I’ll always have to share him. You’re a disgrace. Really pitiful. No wonder I don’t love you, Aliyah. I can’t. No one can. You’re unlovable. You’re not cute, though it’s clear you think you are. You’ve bewitched him—that’s it. You’re a demon,” she says, tapping a finger against her chin as she turns around and closes the door.

Now I’m alone in the bathroom with her. She says she has to wash the demons out of me. I don’t know what ademonis, but it doesn’t sound good, and I don’t want her to hurt me again. “Please, Mommy, stop. Get Daddy. He can help us,” I plead with her.

“No!” she hisses. “He’s mine, not yours.” Then she takes something shiny out of the cabinet, grabs my arm, and holds it out to one side. I don’t know what she’s planning to do, but then she presses the shiny thing against my wrist, into my skin, and drags it up my arm. It hurts. It hurts so much and I feel dizzy. I scream as loud as I can.

There’s a banging noise on the door and my mother lets go of me. I fall to the floor, clutch my arm to my chest, close my eyes, and scream louder.

* * *

“Aliyah, wake up.”

I hear my name being called but I can’t open my eyes. I don’t want her to see that it didn’t work. I don’t want her to try again…

“Aliyah, wake up,” the voice repeats a little louder this time. “It was just a nightmare. You’re okay, baby. Wake up.”

I feel my body being moved, then a sudden warmth as strong arms wrap around me. I blink my eyes open as consciousness creeps in. I look around, trying to gain my bearings. I’m in Liam’s guest bedroom. In his arms, as he rocks me back and forth.

---