Page 81 of Lonely Heart

“Liam knows? How?”

I’d made it to the exit of the parking lot and pulled out, heading toward Ivy’s place. “Let’s just say, he’s observant, and he didn’t accidentally put a hole in the wall the other day. He wanted to make sure things didn’t go south between Cooper and me. And he’s happy for us. We have his blessing.”

There was a moment of silence, followed by Ivy’s sweet voice. “Oh, Liam. He’s honestly the best. He doesn’t say much these days, but when he does, it’s always the right stuff.”

I smiled and was about to respond when it happened.

I heard the distinct sound of glass shattering, followed by Ivy’s screaming.

My muscles tightened, my senses on alert. “What was that?”

Ivy didn’t respond. I got nothing but her heavy, ragged breathing. I strained to listen beyond her breaths, hoping I’d hear something that would reassure me.

“Princess, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on?”

Her voice was just a touch over a whisper. “Oh, God. Oh, God. It’s him.”

“Him? Who?”

I could hear the movement and rustling through the line. “The guy who attacked me. He’s here, Marco. Oh, God. Please help me.”

Fuck.

A cold feeling swept through me, ice flooding my veins. The guy who’d put his hands on her weeks ago was in her home. I felt like I couldn’t breathe through the pain in my chest.

Under normal driving, I was still seven minutes away. Driving fast, I could only hope I’d cut that time in half. But it would still be far too long for her to have to wait for help. “I’m coming, Ivy.”

She let out another scream, and all that came through the line was a bunch of muffled sounds.

In the distance, I heard a man’s voice. “I didn’t realize how lucky I was when I found you that day. You’re a Westwood.”

“Get out!” Ivy’s voice was just as far away, and she had struggled to get those two words out. That’s when I realized she must have dropped her phone.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he taunted her. “I’m getting what I came here for, what I didn’t get from you last time. And before I go, we’ll have to see what you’re willing to give me to not return. This is going to be my lucky day, I think.”

Despite racing through the streets of Landing and being mere minutes from her place, I didn’t feel like I was going fast enough.

Another loud crash came through the line, followed by the sound of more broken glass. “No!” Ivy shouted. “No! Get off me!”

I was crawling out of my skin. Never had I ever felt so helpless in my whole life. Ivy was in trouble; she needed my help, and I was too far away to do anything for her. It was a miracle I hadn’t vomited right in my own lap as I drove.

If I hadn’t stopped to talk to Liam, I would have already been there. She would have been safe.

I was so mixed up inside, feeling powerless and panicked as much as I was fueled with rage and regret.

Hearing it, having to listen to the sounds of her cries of terror, was agonizing. “Ivy,” I said softly, knowing she wouldn’t have heard me even if I’d been screaming.

Though it wasn’t helping me to listen to what was happening, I couldn’t disconnect that call. Not until I was closer. Not until I was nearly there.

With my pulse pounding in my ears, Ivy’s struggle in the background, and my foot on the gas, I finally turned onto Ivy’s street. That’s when I disconnected the call and my connection to Ivy. Then I dialed her brother’s number.

22

IVY

My home wasn’t safe.

He’d gotten into my home.