Tempted: A Bad Boy Next Door Romance Read online

  “He’s still upstate.” Fuck! I grip my head in my hands. He’s hours away, searching out Dracho’s family homes. He’s fucking useless to me now. I don’t have time to wait for him to drive back down here.

  “I’m sorry, Liam,” Zac says but he can’t even look me in the eyes. He tries to and his voice cracks as he continues, “I didn’t--”

  “It’s not your fault.” My blood won’t heat. My lungs won’t work. My body’s failing me. He has her. I can’t let him hurt her. Before I can even think about what I’m doing, my body’s moving.

  “Don’t go, Liam! It’s obviously a setup.” Zac's talking, but I brush past him and keep moving. “He hasn’t showed proof of life; she could already be dead. You think he’s going to leave witnesses?” Zac grabs my arm and tries to hold me back. But I rip it out of his grasp and move quickly to the front door.

  I don’t even listen to his words. I don’t care if he’s right. They have her. They have my girl. I won’t let them touch her. I won’t let her die for my sins.

  Zac's screaming at me, trying to talk sense into me. But I don’t even register a single word coming out of his mouth. He grabs my chest, wrapping his arms around me to keep me back. He’s smaller than me though. There’s no way he can stop me.

  “You can’t keep me from her, Zac.” I’ll trade my life for hers; it’s done.

  I snatch my keys off the front entry table and turn around, punching my brother square in the jaw. It’s hard enough that he's knocked to the ground as his head slams against the floor.

  He slowly comes to and cups his chin in his hand on the floor. He starts to get up, reaching for me. He’s gonna do everything he can to keep me from going.

  I take off before he gets up. I slam my car door shut as he comes barreling out the house, screaming for me to stop.

  As the tires squeal and the car propels me forward, I see my brother racing to get to me in my rearview, screaming not to go. Screaming that he’s sorry.

  I drive faster than he can run and ignore the pain in my chest of leaving him this way.

  I hate that I drove off without saying goodbye, but he'd never let me leave. I hate that he blames himself. He may always carry this with him. It’s not his fault though. I don’t blame him. All of this is my fault. I have to go to her. I have to save her.

  Chapter 27

  Lizzie

  What do I do?

  I’m sitting in my new hiding place, a rat-infested Motel 6 in a rundown part of town, wondering how to plan my next move. For the past thirty minutes I’ve been mulling over whether I should call the cops or not. It should be an easy thing to do, but my feelings for Liam are getting in the way.

  There’s gotta be a way to get rid of these guys without involving Liam, I think. But I can’t think of any. I need to look out for me. I’m the one person I need to worry about. I can’t stay here. I can’t hide forever. But damn it, every time I press the buttons into the phone I feel like I’m literally stabbing Liam in the back. It’s bad enough that I left him.

  If only I didn’t care about him. Then it would all be so easy. I’d dial up 911 without even thinking.

  Maybe I should call him, I think to myself, tell him it’s over and explain that I have to call the police. I need protection, and I don't want it from him.

  I pick up the hotel’s landline and dial Liam’s cell. It rings for several seconds and then his voicemail picks up.

  You’ve reached Liam. I’m busy right now, but if you leave your name and message I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Beep.

  I sit there with the phone pressed to my ear for a moment and then hang up. God. Just hearing his deep voice again makes me feel weak. After a moment, I decide to try his house phone.

  I get his voicemail again. When the beep comes, I’ve summoned the courage for a message.

  “Liam,” I say heavily over the huge lump in my throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to leave, but I just can’t deal with what’s going on. I can’t be with... someone like you.” I feel like a bitch for saying that. I close my eyes and hate myself. “I’m so sorry, Liam,” I sob. “I really did love you, but this shit you’re involved in... I can’t. Goodbye.” Feeling like my heart is going to burst, I hang up the phone.

  I’m about to break down when the phone rings. I stare at it, wondering what I should do. It has to be Liam calling back. I’m conflicted about answering it. I’m supposed to be breaking it off with him and figuring out how to keep myself safe, not making it harder.

  Screw it. I have to hear him out. I can already feel myself crawling back to him.

  Taking a deep breath, I snatch up the phone. “Hello?” I say as my voice wavers.

  “Lizzie!” My heart drops into my stomach. It’s Zac.

  “What do you want, Zac?” I ask flatly, pushing all the conflicting emotions away.

  “Lizzie, are you alright?” Zac asks concernedly. I’m surprised by the worry in his voice. Apparently he’s not pissed about me escaping right under his nose. “They don’t have you, do they? Liam’s going there now.” His voice rises, “It’s a setup; they're going to kill him.”

  Fear cripples me and my body chills. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  My heart skips a beat. What the hell is going on? Liam's in danger? My body inches forward on its own. I grip the cord in my hand and wait with bated breath. “Where is he?” I cry, panicking. I rise from the bed as anxiety runs through me.

  Zac quickly tells me what's happened, and I feel absolutely sick to my stomach. I listen to him anxiously until he’s finished.

  “We have to the call the police.” I should’ve called already. If I'd called them, maybe this wouldn’t be happening. This is all my fault. I never should’ve left. I cover my mouth with my hand, feeling like I’m going to throw up. If I hadn’t left, he wouldn’t be driving to his execution right now.

  “No! Lizzie, don’t--” Zac sounds frantic. I feel overwhelmed with heat and anxiety and not knowing what I should do, but knowing I need to do something. And I need to do it fast.

  I’m about to hang up on Zac and call the cops when I realize that Liam’s location is close by. Only a few blocks away. “I’ll get to him; I’ll stop him,” I say as I begin to hang up the phone.

  “Lizzie?” Zac sounds panicked. “Lizzie, what are you doing? Lizzie I need you to stay put--”

  I hang up the phone, my mind and heart racing, and run my fingers through my hair. I’m shaking. My entire body is laced with anxiety.

  I can't let Liam die. He's so close, and he's in danger all because of me.

  Really though, what can I do? I’m an unarmed woman who’s frightened out of her mind. I would be of no use to Liam in a gunfight. I’d probably only end up getting myself killed. I don’t even have a gun.

  But I can’t let Liam die for me. Not after all we’ve been through. I don't care about anything other than saving him. I have to do something. I love him. It would kill me if he died. I can’t let it happen.

  I quickly grab my coat and put it on as I walk as fast as possible to the lobby. I nearly trip on the stairs; my feet just won’t move fast enough. I need a taxi or something. I don’t know. I need help. He needs help!

  I walk out into the parking lot, where the bitter cold smacks me in the face. I search the street for a taxi or a street sign at least so I know which way to run when I see a car idling. Someone left it there to warm up. The keys are right there. I bite down on my lip and silently send a prayer of thanks.

  My heart sputters. I wait half a second before I commit the first crime in my entire life and hop into the driver’s seat. I slam the door shut and hit the gas. I don’t look in the rearview mirror, I just drive, tires squealing as I turn out of the parking lot and onto the snow-dusted road. The back tires slip, and my breath catches in my throat. I struggle to put on the seat belt and keep the car going at the same time.

  I can’t fucking get into an accident. I swallow thickly and try to calm down and think of a plan.
/>   I need to go to him. I need to save him.

  I can’t let him die.

  Chapter 28

  Liam

  My heart’s pounding in my chest. But it’s so slow. Everything is slow. It’s like I’m seeing everything differently now.

  Ian’s a piece of shit and I know he wants me dead. I know there’s a possibility that he’s gonna kill me as soon as I get there. But if he’s got my girl, I have to try to save her. I’m not positive that he’ll let her go. But I have no other options. If I don’t go, she’s dead. And I can’t let that happen.

  I can’t let her die because of me. I’ll never forgive myself. I look at the gun in the passenger seat as I slow down at the red light. I’m almost there. Maybe ten minutes, just a few blocks away. I’m resisting the urge to drive over the curb and push the pedal to the floor. But I can’t get on a cop’s radar. If I get pulled over, or worse, taken in, she’s dead.

  My hands are sweaty and I have to rub them off on my jeans before gripping the steering wheel again. The gun is the only thing on my mind. If I go in there with it, they’ll probably find it and take it from me. If I were them, I’d check me. I wanna be protected, in case he goes back on his word, but they may see it and kill her. He said no weapons.

  I slowly push the pedal down and the car moves. I’m driving to my death. But it’s for her. I have to. I breathe out deeply. If there’s a way to save us both, I’ll do it. But if not, I’ll die for her. I’ll happily give my life to keep her safe.

  My phone starts buzzing in my pocket. I only look to see if it’s Ian. It’s not her number. My brother keeps calling, but I can’t answer. I know he’s not on board with this plan. He’ll hate me for leaving him like this. He doesn’t understand. But when he finds someone he loves, he’ll get it. He’ll forgive me one day. And he promised to take care of her, that’s what matters. My heart shatters in my chest. My phone won’t stop going off. It’s vibrating on my lap, and this time when I look it’s my brother, but calling from my landline at 22 Wyoming. I bet he’s trying different numbers, and I can't blame him. He just wants to convince me not to go. But it’s not happening.

  “I’m sorry,” I say to no one as the phone stops ringing. I’m only a few blocks away. My resolve is firm.

  I loved her before I even met her. I can’t let her die.

  This was all meant to happen. I couldn’t save my father or Richard, but I can save her.

  It’ll be the one good thing I’ve ever done with my life.

  Chapter 29

  Lizzie

  I put the pedal to the metal, running red lights and turning right on left turns and doing all sorts of crazy shit on my way to intercept Liam. I’m risking being stopped by the police, but I don’t give a damn. I can’t let anything happen to Liam. I can’t afford to lose another person I love.

  If I don’t get there fast enough, I think worriedly, they'll kill him. Why else would they tell him they have me? He has to know it's a setup.

  My heart pounds as I speed around a right corner, and my mind races through gruesome scenarios. I’m scared of what I might find when I find Liam. Will they have already gotten to him?

  If they do, it will be all my fault. Fuck, I can't stand the thought. I feel so sick. I should've just listened to him.

  It’s hard to keep myself together and drive at the same time, but I’m doing it. I’m barely holding on, but I am.

  I reach an intersection close to where Liam's supposed to be going. I know I'm going the right way. I know what road Zac said, and I'm close. I'm so close.

  I have to slam on my brakes and stop at a red light because there's too much traffic. The tires slip on the slick road, but I manage to maintain control and avoid a collision. I slam my fist on the dash, hating that I have to waste even a second. Then I look all around, making sure I’m not missing anything.

  Suddenly, I see Liam’s car speeding up from the side road. Liam! Hope rises in my chest. He’s alive. He’s right there! “Liam!” I scream out even though there’s no way he could hear me. I bang on the horn, over and over. I lay all my weight on it. Staring at him. Begging him to look at me.

  But he doesn’t. Everyone around me is watching. They don’t know. He’s about to drive to his death, and I’m stuck watching him, unable to do anything about it. No! I honk again and again as he gets closer to the intersection. But he’s not seeing me. He’s not looking anywhere but straight ahead.

  With how fast he’s going I’m sure he won’t see me. I can’t let him pass.

  With only seconds to react, I floor the gas pedal and smack into the car ahead of me. I push down hard, shoving the car out of my way as my own car jolts forward. I hear the screams and honking from the other drivers gathered at the red light. They're yelling and pissed, but I don't care. Faster! I have to go faster. He’s so close. He’s almost at the intersection in front of me. I slam on the gas and head out into the middle of the intersection just as Liam comes speeding through the center.

  I know the meet is right there. If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to get to him in time. We’re both going too fast. I speed my car ahead and close my eyes, knowing he’s going to hit my car on the passenger side. But it’s the only way I can stop him. I lay on the horn and speed my car right in front of his and I prepare my body for the blow.

  The screech of metal and shattering glass is deafening as he broadsides me, spinning my car out of control. My body's forced to the right with a stinging pain from the seat belt. My head's violently whipped to the side as the car comes to a halt and I slam my head on the driver’s window with a loud crack.

  Fuck! That hurt. As the car comes to a sudden stop, I wince and slowly lift my hand to my head. I look down at my fingers and see blood.

  My body aches all over, and there's a sharp, stabbing pain in my side. A pounding sensation throbs inside of my skull, causing black spots in front of my vision.

  I feel like absolute shit.

  “Liam,” I call weakly. He’s the only thing I care about. I’m so dizzy and can barely see anything, but I can’t think about anything other than Liam.

  “Liam,” I repeat in a half-choke, half-cry. Please don’t be dead. My heart beats faster as I try looking out my shattered windshield.

  Groaning, I fumble with my seat belt, trying my best to undo it, but it’s stuck. I have to get out of here. Now. But I feel so fucking weak.

  For a moment I fear I'll get stuck in the car and get burned alive. In a panic, I start rattling my seat belt, hoping it will just loosen. It doesn’t unsnap. Fuck.

  Suddenly, my door is being ripped open and a deep, familiar voice asks, “Elle?” His voice is full of worry, but also disbelief.

  Relief floods my body at the sight of Liam. He looks bruised and battered with a few cuts on his face and arms, but other than that, I’ve never seen him look so damned good in my life.

  “Liam, don't go!” I yell at him, shaking my head.

  “You’re here,” he says as he looks at me with utter disbelief before looking down at where I’m trying desperately to get the buckle undone. I need to get out of this fucking car and hold him. He’s really okay.

  Without hesitation, Liam bends into the car and rips my seat belt off. Then he pulls me out and into his arms. I hold on to him even though my body is screaming in pain. I just need to hold him.

  He squeezes me gently. I feel like I can finally breathe. I grip on to him tighter, refusing to let go as he kisses me over and over again. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper against his chest.

  Liam hugs me close again. “Jesus, Elle.” He pulls back to look at me. “Are you okay?”

  I shake my head. “You were going to die.” I hold him closer and just try to breathe. “You were going to die for me?” I pull back to look at him. His fingers gently touch the gash on my scalp.

  Liam peers at me with disbelief. “I would do anything for you. I love you, Elle.”

  My eyes prick with tears at the admission. “I love you so much.”

 
; Hot tears begin streaming down my face like a waterfall and the words start gushing out. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry that I left you. I wasn’t thinking. I was just so... so scared.” The words tumble out of my mouth. I shake my head, wishing none of it were true. If I’d just listened to him, none of this would have happened.

  Liam kisses me on the forehead, pulling me close. “It’s okay. You're okay, that's all that matters.”

  I look up at him, my heart clenched tight, needing his forgiveness. I know this is all my fault. “Please forgive me.”

  Liam gently caresses my tearstained cheeks and shakes his head. “I can’t forgive you, Elle.” My breath catches in my throat, and I feel tears welling up again in my eyes. I've ruined things between us. It's too late.

  “I can't forgive you, because you haven't done anything wrong.” He kisses me then, a deep, long lingering kiss that leaves me wanting for more. When he pulls away I’m breathless, and in pain. The car crash has banged me up pretty good.

  “We need to go before the cops show up,” he says urgently.

  I look around, and people are stopped at street corners staring at us and taking pictures with their cell phones. Some are even on their phones, talking while surveying the devastation. Cars are starting to pile up as they try to maneuver past the wreck.

  “Shit! Get down!” Liam suddenly yells, yanking me to the ground just as I was starting to stand, and pulling us close to the open driver’s door. I get a quick glimpse and see the man from before, the man with the cold, dark eyes. My heart hammers in my chest. My body feels paralyzed.

  The crack of gunfire splits the air and I let out a piercing scream as another whizzes by us and hits Liam's car behind me. Immediately, Liam pushes me against the car and covers me with his hard body, sandwiching me between hard metal and his protection. So many people are screaming and running. I close my eyes tightly as my heart leaps in my chest.