Page 90 of Freeing Emily

Liam is wearing his usual, only this time, it’s a black tee and not a white one. It still molds over his broad chest and muscular arms like it was made to his exact measurements.

And those cargo pants? Oof.

Liam traces circles on the exposed skin on my upper back. His calluses cause goosebumps to rise over my skin and he hums.

I’m not sure how long we’ve been out here but I don’t want to leave. This space is becoming ours again and I don’t want to lose that. I won’t survive it.

“Em?” turning, I set my cheek on my crossed arms and face Liam.

“Hm?”

“Are you ready to talk about last night?” His eyes slowly roam over my face.

I turn over onto my back and let out a long sigh. I silently watch the clouds float by as I try to think of the right words. The gentle breeze causes a loose strand of my hair to cross over my cheek. Liam reaches over and uses his fingers to move it away.

“I can’t talk with ma.” I whisper. My brows pinch.

Liam remains silent, allowing me to continue at my own pace.

“Hearing her voice…” I clear my throat and lick my lips. “Hearing her voice sends me back to when Vladimir’s men took me.”

I see him nod in my peripheral.

“My ma was the last person I spoke to before they pushed me into the van and drove away.” Liam scoots closer, his hand brushes mine before he curls his pinky with mine.

“You don’t need to explain anymore,mo ghrá.” He kisses my shoulder.

“I know. I just feel guilty about avoiding her. I feel guilty that the voice that once gave me so much comfort now brings me so much pain.” I turn over to my side to face Liam, tucking my arm under my head. Our noses are nearly touching.

“She’s my ma, Liam,” I say in a shaky voice.

His eyes are warm and understanding. “There is nothing wrong with distancing yourself from someone or something that hurts you. Emily. Just give yourself time. She’ll understand.”

I know she will… and that’s one of the reasons why it hurts. Because she’ll understand my reasoning and she’ll forgive me without a second thought. I know it doesn’t make any sense. A lot of things in my life don’t seem to make much sense right now.

But having her understand why I need to separate myself from her hurts almost as much as her not understanding.

My ma is still grieving from the loss of my da, and now she has to deal with me pushing her away soIcan heal.

We continue to lie facing each other, nose to nose. Our breaths are intertwined. Liam brushes the tip of my nose with his before angling his head and gently pressing his lips to mine.

The past few weeks have been a blur of missions, spending time with Emily, and barking orders at the other men. Declan and Paige are set to return sometime next week, and he wants to throw an engagement party for Paige.

So, now we’re working to make sure all the preparations are set for that. Declan wants it to be a surprise, so we’ve been ordered to keep it from both Emily and Sarah.

Clearly, Declan overestimates my and Rhys’s will to keep secrets from them. Even something that is supposed to be a surprise.

Sarah is already suspicious. She’s like a damn bloodhound. She figured something was up before we even started to prep. Emily also knows something is going on but she doesn’t seem inclined to figured it out.

I walk up to Rhys who stands outside by one of the SUVs.

“Where you headed?” I ask, slapping him on the back in greeting.

“I gotta check out the newest shipment from Ireland at the docks. Wanna come?”

“I need to head to Manhattan for a second to head lead the unloading of the shipment that was hauled there this morning.”

He nods. “Oh right.” He slaps my back and moves to open the driver-side door of the SUV. “I’ll see you when I get back, yeah?”