Page 175 of Fatality

“Liam,” I try to speak.

I put my hands on his chest, pushing him back to breathe, to show him it’s not the time, and that we need to talk.

“Please, you’re hurting me.”

“I’m not going to lose you.” His voice turns predatory, even through the haze of alcohol.

He lifts his head to look at me, desperate, I look at him softly, pleading, but I’m not reactive, not the way he probably wants.

I gasp when I feel a slight pressure on my throat.

“Riven,” Liam whispers against my lips “Give yourself to me, now.”

What is he doing? What?

I don’t want to... I want to talk.

He isn’t listening, he isn’t listening.

I try to push him again away, I don’t want to punch him and hurt him.

I feel the pressure of his hand on my throat tighten, then he adds his other hand, pinning me completely against the door, leaving me with no escape.

I claw at his wrists, leaving red marks, but I’m exhausted, truly fucking exhausted from the kidnapping, the work, the walking, the emotional reunion, dragging him here.

I don’t have anything left.

I feel him slowly increase the pressure, cutting off my air.

My heart beats so fast I can feel the blood rushing to my face, my lungs screaming for the air I’m being denied.

“I won't lose you,” he sobs, tightening his grip anyway. “You're everything! You're mine! I can't lose you!”

His grip tightens again.

“If I lose you...” His voice breaks into something almost feral. “I'll fucking kill you before I let anyone else have you!”

He screams the last words, spit splatters across my face.

Suddenly, he lifts me just enough for my feet to leave the floor.

I kick at him, but my legs only flail uselessly in the air.

My nails dig into his skin, drawing blood, yet he doesn't even seem to notice.

I fight with everything I have, desperately trying to force even the smallest breath into my lungs.

The pressure around my throat keeps building.

My vision starts to blur.

Tears spill from my eyes on their own, my head throbbing as if it's about to split open.

Is Liam going to kill me? Is this how I fucking die? Killed by my own boyfriend? By the one person I thought I was safe with?

My vision swims.

No. Not like this. Not after everything.