Page 63 of Ward Willing
I cry harder as I remember it—as I think over what Liam said.
How I’ve been running away from the grief.
He’s wrong, though. I let myself grieve on this day every year. I let myselffeelit. Tomorrow, my life will go back to normal.
After cleaning myself up, I wash my hands and wipe the mascara tracks off of my cheeks. My eyes are bloodshot, but no one is going to know.
I order two more shots, and when I finish them, my stomach rolls in protest. Time blurs, and I have no idea how long I’m on the dance floor.
I dance.
I sing.
I jump around, forgetting that I’m an orphan for one day.
The taxi I scheduled comes and goes. I ignore the calls. The texts. They can charge Liam, I don’t care.
I don’t want to go back yet.
I don’t want to forget them again… yet.
A man wraps his hands around my waist as we dance. My tank top is sticking to my back, but it doesn’t matter. All I hear is the bass, and all I feel is a stranger’s hands on my hips.
I wish they were Liam’s.
When I open my eyes, I’m sure I’ve manifested him somehow, because he’s glaring at me from across the dance floor.
It’s an illusion,I think.
But then there’s a firm grip on my arm pulling me away from the man I’m dancing with, and when I stumble back into a hard chest, I know it’s him before I can see him, because the scent of licorice and wood permeates my senses.
He drags me away and I let him, knowing he’ll only be angrier if I fight him. I stare at the back of his head as we make our way through the crowd, and his ironclad grip on my wrist doesn’t loosen.
How did he know I was here?
I’m about to shout and ask him over the music, but he pushes through one of the doors in the back hallway, and suddenly I’m staring at Orion leaning against a modern, wooden desk.
Well, that explains things.
I’m drunk off my ass, but I can put two and two together.
As Liam closes the office door, the heavy, thumping music lessens considerably. I’m still breathing heavily from dancing, so my chest rises and falls as I look between the oldest and youngest Ravage brother. It’s the only sound for a few seconds until Orion pushes off the desk and pats Liam on the shoulder.
“Have fun with this,” he says, cracking a small smile. When he looks down at me, his brows furrow for a second until his normal playboy smirk returns. “Sorry, Zoe. I had to call him when I saw you drinking. It’s one thing for you to use your fake ID at the pub for munches, but this place is on a totally different level, and the bartenders could get in a lot of trouble for serving alcohol to a minor. Figured you’d want me to call Liam,” he says. “Also, you were dancing with Ben Hearst,” he adds.
He gives Liam one more apologetic look before he opens the door. The loud music shocks me for a second before he closes it behind him, and when I look at Liam, the near silence somehow louder than the music. His eyes slowly drag down my body, and they flash with something that makes me want to squirm.
“I was fine.”
“Bullshit,” Liam growls. “Ben Hearst? Really?”
My eyes blink slowly as I try to process the name.That’swhat he’s mad about? Not the underage drinking? Either I have it all wrong, or Liam Ravage is more jealous than I thought.
“Who…?” I ask, slurring the one word slightly.
Liam looks away as he rubs his mouth in frustration. “I don’t know him personally, but Orion and Chase are familiar with him. He’s a predator and loves to take advantage of unsuspecting women.” He shifts on his feet slightly. “Orion told me he’s a fake Dominant, and he wasn’t supposed to be here. He must’ve given a fake name.”
I squint up at Liam. “I didn’t have to give a name.”
