Page 90 of Heartbeat Girl
“The same thing as you,” Larissa replied. “Give me Marilyn’s location, and I’ll get rid of her for you.”
Steve laughed, but it lacked humor and died off quickly. “Wow, I almost fell for it. Do we seem like fools? We won’t give anyone her location. You might free her.”
Liam jerked his head toward one of her men. “Send one of your men with us. He can do what’s needed.”
“Sure,” Larissa responded, smiling at me. “Leave Jayne with me.”
“What?” Steve sneered.
“No,” Liam muttered. “Jayne has nothing to do with this.”
Larissa's reddened gaze brightened on Liam. “Youmade her a part of this. I see how you look at her. How you all watch her.” Her laser focus went to me. “Did they let you know the danger they’ve put you in? Their affection will be your demise.”
“I won’t let any harm come to her!” Liam tucked me behind him again.
“You’ll be the thing who kills her when your sire wakes!” Larissa shouted. “Marilyn won’t let her live because you love her.”
Liam froze, and so did I. The woman threw a bomb neither one of us knew how to handle.Love.
“It doesn’t matter how much you hate Marilyn, or how much you care for Jayne. Marilyn’s command rules over you. That won’t change until she’s dead.”
“You’re not getting Jayne,” Liam seethed.
When the room became eerily quiet, one of Larissa’s men said, “Give us Marilyn’s location, and we can help.”
“No. Let them see for themselves.” Larissa scoffed. “I’m a sire. I know the power I have, and I’ll tell you this. If I were in Marilyn’s shoes, I would have already awakened. It’s only a matter of time before she connects with one of her underlings. It only takes one mind. When she has that link, her male will go to her and free her.”
My stomach soured. “Liam…”
He cut me off before I could even begin. “No, Jayne. That’s one thing I cannot do.” He turned and met my eyes with his blackened ones. “I can only protect you when you’re right beside me. We’ll find another way.”
“Foolish,” Larissa muttered.
The grumpy-looking vampire spoke. “He cannot help it. Hecan’tpart with her.”
“So it seems.” Larissa exhaled. “Stop hiding Jayne. I wish to speak to her.”
I grabbed Liam’s shoulder, then Steve’s when he tried to hide me, too.Oh my God!They were being overbearing! “Move, guys!” I huffed.
Pushing between them, I met Larissa’s gaze as she beckoned me. “When you grow tired of being coddled, come to me.” When Liam snarled, baring his fangs, she added, “Their intentions and love are genuine, but it’s not enough to save you. That love isn’t enough to overpower their sire’s control. The only one that can save you isyou.”
Pulling a phone out of her pocket, Larissa pressed a button and waited. I blinked as my phone began ringing.
“Don’t let any of them delete my number. It’s yours to keep.”
And with that, Pete stepped away from the door and glared as Larissa and her men departed.
“I think we can trust her,” I said the second they were gone.
“You don’t know her.” Steve scowled.
“You can take care of your problem,” I said.
Liam countered with, “She can be the one to set Marilyn free.” He turned me around and gripped my shoulders. His soulful gaze felt like hands reaching out and begging me to understand him. “I’m not willing to risk your safety.”
Stiffening, I said, “Aren’t you doing so every second I’m with you?” I pushed away. “Who will protect me fromyouif Marilyn commands you to hurt me?”
He thumped his chest twice, eyes slightly glassy as he watched me. “I’d take my own life before I’d ever obey such an order. Every second spent with you, and I know it’s true. Nothing is stronger than my affection for you.”