Page 57 of Heartbeat Girl

I understood. Perfectly.

You’re in danger as long as you’re around us.

I looked at Liam. “You wanted me to figure all this out, didn’t you?” It was why he spoke so ominously.Why did he want to scare me so much?

It was Liam’s high-intensity stare that bled into mine now. “You’re a lot more vulnerable than you realize. You deserve to understand what I’ve gotten you into.”

How did Liam get me into anything?I took this job offer. He didn’t force me.

Pete hung his head and sighed. “If you don’t want to stay on tour, you can go.”

“But I don’t want you to go.” Liam’s voice deepened, and his hand tightened on my side. “You shouldn’t leave.”

“But it’s not your choice.” Steve narrowed his eyes at Liam, then glanced at me. “For what it’s worth, I don’t want you to go either.”

“Steve.” There was an edge to Liam’s voice. A vein strained against his neck. Without thinking, I reached up and traced it with my finger. It disappeared completely as he focused on me. I dropped my hand.

“Why shouldn’t I leave?” I asked.

His eyes morphed into black bottomless pits, sucking me in. “Because I can’t protect you unless you’re right where I can reach you.”

“But isn’t being here the reason I’m in danger?” I wondered.

“I’m the reason you’re in danger.” Liam yanked me forward, smashing me against his chest. “If Marilyn ever wakes, she’ll come for you.”

“Why?” I whispered.

Liam’s grip tightened. “Because she senses my desires, and the deepest part of my beatless heart.”

Intense.

Liam knew exactly what his words would do to me. He held me there with his heated stare. He spoke to that lonely spot within me. If he continued being forthright with his feelings, Liam would discover that place.

There was an ache between my thighs, craving relief. It wasn’t the time to get horny when Liam told me his sire would come for me, but so many questions made the need in me grow. How long had Liam wanted me? How long had he kept his distance despite wanting to be near? And why did he desire me? He didn’t approach me before I knew about him. I wondered if there was anything that would stop him from pursuing me now that I did?

Despite my attraction to Liam, there were a lot of things to consider. He bit other women to survive. And he also had a sire who sounded like a psychopath who wanted complete control over those she turned. I couldn’t forget I was probably in danger because she sensed Liam’s feelings.

I never recalled a relationship where I’d been possessive. Given the women Liam had to feed from and his crazy sire… He had so many women around him, and I hated it! The pain bubbling up inside me wanted to lash out verbally. I’d never be okay with Liam doing what he did last night again. My stomach rolled picturing his lips on someone else.

If Liam kissed me again, it would be the last time he kissed anyone else, the last time he touched another. I refused to share him with his sire. But what about the feeding? How did one accept that their lover always had to drink from another to survive? Not that Liam was my lover—yet. But I saw it in the way his eyes roved over me, ready to devour. He’d come for me without caution, and I had to be prepared. I needed to understand what I would embrace for him.

The Oppressors’ world was a lot more dangerous than I first realized. But one thing remained certain.I’m angry.I wouldn’t ever ask, but I didn’t have to. The bleak looks in their eyes when they mentioned they had to dowhatever Marilyn wanted told me they weren’t in charge of their lives. Everyone deserved free will. That someone couldliterallytake it away by turning you into a vampire terrified me.

“This is a lot to take in.” I exhaled slowly. “But I’m not leaving you guys.”

The black left Liam’s eyes as he smirked.

Oh boy.

Pete murmured, “Really?”

“Really,” I replied.

Steve tugged me from Liam and wrapped his arms around me. “Having you around is worth whatever hardships that come.”

Just as quickly as Steve uttered the words against my ear, Liam grabbed the back of Steve’s shirt and yanked him away.

“Chill, Liam,” Pete muttered. “This possessive shit needs to stop. Jayne’s not yours.”