Page 42 of Perfect Liar
We didn’t stop until nothing else existed but us.
The world was gone, time was gone.
We shared one breath.
His fist tightened in my hair as he broke away and stared over my shoulder. He put one more lingering kiss on my mouth, then he let go.
“Someone’s here to see you,” he said.
His eyes stayed with mine, but his next words were called out to Ben.
“You handle this for me, my brother.”
And then Will left me standing there alone.
The pain our breakup had caused Josh still showed on his face as Ben and I walked over to Josh’s car.
I never wanted to hurt him, never thought he would see the passion I had just shared with Will.
Josh reached out for my hand.
“I couldn’t leave it between us that way. I was an asshole to walk away from you like that. I’m sorry, Ellie,” he said.
“I’m glad you came to say goodbye. I’ll never forget what you’re doing for me.”
His dark brown eyes pleaded with me.
“Please don’t go. I believe you, and that’s all that matters. I have a solid relationship with the chief. I’ll convince him, and you’ll have police protection. Get in the car and leave with me.”
He went to open the passenger-side door, but Ben put out his hand and stopped it.
“She’s not getting in your car, cop. You fucking police already failed her. She’s under our protection now, so get on with it.”
I touched Josh’s arm.
“I’m going. Maybe they’ll still get to me, but if it happens there, Lissie will have family. I explained the situation to you.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t know how to live without you here.”
I put my arms around him.
“Please go to Jess. I can’t talk to her right now, and I know she’s scared. She needs someone to reassure her. Be that for her, for me.”
He pulled me in more tightly against his body.
“I’m begging you to let me help you the right way.”
“Ellie,” Ben snapped.
I didn’t need an explanation to understand Ben’s warning. Will refusing to see me with Josh again said all I needed to know. So I nodded at Ben, then kissed Josh’s cheek…our final goodbye.
Just as I dropped my arms to let Josh go, Will suddenly ripped us apart. He pinned me against a nearby metal building, trapping me there with his body while holding my wrists and the back of my neck in his hands.
His growled close to my ear.
“Do you still want him?”