Page 73 of Fatality

My jaw tightens, but I say nothing.

I tsk loudly before realizing I've done it, right as the girls come back.

They look at each other, then back at me, so I force a smile.

“Remember that time Charlie fell into the duck pond at Kairo's Park because she was trying to show us how well she could dance?”

I just want to change the subject and avoid Liam’s eyes.

I want the girls, and myself think about anything but my bruises, him, or whatever is going on in the Lower Layers.

“Hey! That's not fair!” Charlie says as she sits back down, crossing her arms and pouting. “I know how to dance. The ground was slippery!”

“Yeah, sure.” I chuckle. “Blame the ground and not your skills.”

I raise a hand and dismiss her mockingly.

“Yeah, Charlie,” Jules adds with a snort. “Tell yourself that. We all know it's because you tripped over your own feet. You smelled like a pond for days afterward.”

“I couldn't get the smell out of my hair! No matter how many times I washed it!” Charlie counters.

There it is.

The atmosphere is changed from heavy to teasing.

The moment Liam and I cross the threshold, he pins me against the door.

I yelp more from surprise than pain.

What is he doing? He's never done that before.

“Riven.” He leans closer, his teeth grazing the pulse in my neck. “I can't lose you. If I do, it'll drive me crazy.”

His words slur slightly as his hands roam over my body, squeezing my breasts through my jersey before slipping underneath.

His breathing quickens.

My heart pounds. He's never done that before.

The intensity catches me off guard.

And, against my better judgment, I like it.

“So, if someone hurt you, you need to tell me. We'll go to the Enforcers. You're too important. To your parents, your friends, to me.”

I was starting to get turned on until he mentioned my parents.

I push him away gently. My jaw clenches, but I force myself not to look angry.

“Don't say things like that, Liam,” I warn. “You don't know what you're talking about.”

“Then explain to me why you have bruises!” he snaps. “Explain to me why you're rejecting me!”

This is what worries him? Seriously?

I won't talk about my bruises.

Not after that.