Unforgettable by Abby Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page B

she was too upset. I’ll need to wait a while.”
    “Good idea.”
    “But when I get that name, we’re going to war.” I gave him a firm look. “I’m not letting up on this. I will kill him. So you shouldn’t get yourself involved if you aren’t ready for this.”
    “What will killing him do?” He remained calm.
    “He would get what he deserves.” Was that a serious question?
    “If you’re intending to actually murder him, there will be consequences. If you get caught, it could end your life.”
    “So be it.” I was too angry to think straight.
    “And how will that help Livia?” Liam asked. “She needs you to help her get through this, to be okay again. Her confidence is shaken and her trust is broken. Work on that, not this asshole.”
    “What if it were Keira?” That was a cheap shot but whatever.
    He was silent for a long time. “I spent a year cultivating a relationship with her. In that time, I taught her to trust me. I taught her self-defense. And I repaired all that damage that fucker did. With me, she became whole. And when he came after her, she didn’t cower away and become the victim again. She killed him. And that was the greatest peace she would ever find. Honestly, I’m glad it turned out that way. It wouldn’t have helped her if I killed him. It made all the difference in the world.”
    For a fighter, he was strangely peaceful. I expected his aggression to come out but he held it in check. “You used to be angry all the time. What happened?”
    He gave me a serious look. “Keira happened.”
    I was jealous he and Keira had survived all the turmoil and found pure happiness. Livia and I had just begun our journey. I wanted the trust they had, the implicit understanding of one another’s thoughts and feelings. I wanted to be happy. But how could I be when the woman I loved was suffering?
    Liam watched me. “You’ll get through it. I know you will.”
    “I still want to kill him.”
    He was quiet for a long time. “You know I’ll do anything for you, and not just because I’m going to be related to you. You’re a good friend, the best one I got, actually. But think it through first.”
    “I don’t want to think,” I said darkly.
    “Just put Livia first. That will steer you in the right direction.”
     
    She arrived at my house just when I finished cooking dinner. “Why weren’t you in class today?”
    “I had to take care of something.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and gave her a quick kiss.
    “What?” she asked.
    Stop asking questions . “I needed to talk to Liam.”
    “Oh.” She placed her bag on the couch. “Everything okay?”
    In so many words… “Yeah.”
    She glanced at the kitchen. “Something smells good.”
    “I made pretzel chicken and rice.”
    “Pretzel chicken?” She raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never heard of that.”
    “It’s my secret recipe.”
    “Are you a fighter or a chef?” she teased.
    “Neither.” I gave her a kiss on the forehead. “I’m a lover.”
    She melted right before my eyes.
    “Sit down and let’s eat. I’m starving.”
    “Okay.” Her cheeks had a rosy color to them.
    I pulled the chair out for her then sat across from her. “How was your day?”
    “It was fine. I was bummed when I didn’t see you in class.”
    “I just would have distracted you anyway.” I winked at her. It was important to make her comfortable again, to show her that nothing had changed between us. What happened to her wouldn’t affect my love for her. She was still the girl of my dreams, the only woman I wanted. Her image wasn’t tarnished, and my obsession  remained the same.
    “You have a point.” She took a bite of her food. “Wow, this is really good.”
    “Why are you surprised?”
    “You just continue to amaze me.”
    “I’m an amazing guy.” I winked again.
    “Here comes that cockiness again…” A smile was on her lips and she was on the verge of laughing.
    I’m glad I was making her loosen up again. “I’m