Ty chuckles. “That’s supposed to be an easy one.”
“Technically, we first met my senior year of high school four years ago. I lied about my age, he scolded me for almost getting him into legal trouble, and then I moved to Sacramento a year later. We were reunited when my sister invited me to a party, and it was Liam’s house.”
“I bet that was a shock.”
“Oh, it was. Then he basically ignored me for three years. Well…he tried to anyway.” I swallow down another gulp of water. “We were around each other a lot because his best friends are dating my older sisters.”
“Really? Mason’s dating your sister?”
I narrow my eyes at him, studying his expression as he swallows hard. Almost as if he hadn’t meant to say that.
“Yeah, but how’d you know his name was Mason?” I ask, tilting my head.
“You told me the other day,” he quickly responds.
I know for a fact I didn’t. There’d be no reason for me to mention anyone’s name until this conversation. However, I’m not about to challenge him or give him any reason to hurt, kill, or throw me out to the wolves.
“Oh, uh, right.” I palm my forehead. “Liam’s roommate.”
“So you started seeing Liam not long ago?”
“Yeah, it’s recent. So recent, in fact, it’s like it never happened.” I pinch my lips together and stand. “Okay, break’s over. I need to hit something.”
“That I can definitely help you with.” Ty smirks and nods his head toward the punching bag in the opposite corner.
An hour flies by, and I’m drenched in sweat. I haven’t worked out this hard in months, but it felt great to relieve some stress.
“Come, I’ll make you an after-workout drink. You need to stay hydrated,” Ty says as I follow him into the kitchen.
I groan, leaning against the counter. “Ugh, when do I get to have real food again?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of protein for lunch.” The corner of his lips tilts slightly as he digs into the fridge. For some reason, his sentence comes off dirty, and I chuckle.
“Why does this all of a sudden feel like boot camp?” I tease.
“This is nothing like a real boot camp. Trust me, you’re living in paradise compared to that.”
“You were in the Army?” I ask, standing taller.
He grabs a handful of veggies and fruit, then places them on the counter. “I’ll put these in your smoothie, and you’ll barely taste the protein powder.”
The way he ignored my question doesn’t go unnoticed. I want to pry, but I know there have to be boundaries while we have eyes and ears on us. It’d make sense, though, considering how meticulous and strategic he seems. How the hell did he go from being a soldier to working for the mob?
“Well?” Ty asks after I take my first sip of the drink he made me.
“Better than the first one,” I tell him and wrinkle my nose. “But still, it’s no steaming hot breakfast.”
“I’ll make pancakes and bacon tomorrow. Don’t worry,” he tells me with a grin. Of course, Eric saunters in and ruins the nice moment we were having with his loud and commanding demeanor.
“We need to talk,” he states, staring at Ty.
“Sure. What’s up, Captain?” I say, though I know he’s not addressing me.
Eric’s eyes snap to mine. “Enough!” he barks, and I jump. “Go to your room until told otherwise.”
I risk a glance at Ty who looks like his jaw might snap.
“We can talk in the office,” Ty tells Eric, shuffling to put the items back into the fridge.
“No, now. Maddie can leave,” Eric states harshly.
“Maddie’s leaving,” I say, mimicking his tone. He doesn’t approve of Ty treating me like a human being, that much is obvious, but why does he have to be such a dick?
I set my drink down and awkwardly leave the kitchen. The air is still and silent, and after I walk a few steps, I freeze at the sound of Eric’s voice.
“Victoria’s getting impatient with your behavior. She’s sending a replacement in a couple of days and wants you to start packing for your departure,” Eric tells him.
What? No!
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Ty argues. “Just because I’m not an asshole to her doesn’t mean I’m not obeying orders.”
“You’re getting too close,” Eric says roughly. “Which means you’ll think twice about taking care of the situation, if needed.”
What the fuck does that mean?
My skin goes ice cold.
Is Victoria ever going to let me out of here? I’m afraid to even think about the answer to that because deep down in my gut, I know there’s only two possibly ways I’m leaving this place— in a body bag or running like hell and escaping.
Chapter Six
LIAM
I’ve slept better now knowing Tyler is with Maddie. Though I’m still stuck in this fucking hellhole with Victoria, her threats bounce off me a lot easier. It’s been two weeks since everything imploded in my face and I lost Maddie, but I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get her back. To prove my love and loyalty.
Victoria, on the other hand, is on my last fucking nerve, and I’m using all the willpower I can to keep from telling her off and risking everything. I don’t know what Tyler’s plan is, so I can’t act until he does. I contemplate texting him, but I have a feeling he’s not allowed to use his personal phone, or if he is, it’s probably being watched. Either way, I’m in limbo waiting for his next move.
“Good morning, hubby,” Victoria singsongs as she walks into the kitchen wearing lingerie. I roll my eyes when she grabs food and juice from the fridge. “I was thinking we should do some shopping today. We need to register for the babies and get some stuff for their nursery. Daddy wants to buy their cribs, and Nana wants to buy a double stroller, but we’ll need a lot more than that. Plus, I want some new bras.”
I clench my jaw, swallowing down the words I really want to say. “Isn’t it a little early for all of that?”
Victoria spins around and glares at me. “It takes time to get everything together, Liam,” she snaps. “I want to repaint and have new carpet installed. Then there’s research for the right equipment–baby monitors, bottles, bassinets, pacifiers, changing tables. We need to make sure we get the right brands.”
Narrowing my eyes at her over my coffee cup, I take a sip and scowl. She knows damn well there’s no “we” in this situation, but she pushes it every chance she gets.
“I’ve been here long enough. I need to get back to work,” I tell her after I set down my mug.
“You need to be here with your pregnant wife,” she retorts, pouring herself a glass of apple juice.
“Your grandmother went back to New York, and your dad is plenty convinced. What more do you need?”
“I need you to move here.”
“That wasn’t the deal,” I remind her, and I’m starting to sound like a broken record. “I want a paternity test.”