“Not hiding.” I smiled weakly. “Just overheated.”
Sitting down beside me, Andrew nodded. “I worried this might happen.” He patted my knee, letting it sit there for a moment before removing it. I didn’t like that he felt comfortable enough to touch me.
“I feel better now. I’m going inside to find my parents.” Standing, I tried moving away, but this time he reached out and grabbed my hand.
“It doesn’t have to be over between us, Liberty, especially with the sexual chemistry between us.” His thumb brushed back and forth over my skin.
My stomach dropped. Tugging on my arm to get away, he tightened his grip. “You need to let go of me, Andrew.”
“Why are you fighting against it? I know you feel it. This must be killing you, knowing I’m going to marry your sister; but it doesn’t have to mean we can’t indulge.” Andrew now stood and pulled me into his body, his other arm snaking around my waist. It was highly inappropriate.
“Don’t ever touch me, again. I want nothing to do with you. I never did. Now let me go!” Slapping his chest hard, I pushed myself out of his embrace.
“I like it when a girl plays hard to get. Is that the game we’re playing?”
“You’re insane!” I said incredulously. “Go back to your fiancé before I tell my parents.”
“They won’t believe you, Liberty. They think you’re still harboring feelings for me.” He grabbed me again, this time harder and I winced from the pain. My hand rose to slap him, but he caught it before the strike connected. “You want me to kiss you. Do other things to you. Don’t deny it; I can see it in your eyes every time you look at me.”
“Let me go!”
“I suggest you listen.” I wanted to cry hearing Oliver’s voice behind me.
“This doesn’t concern you.” Andrew glared. “Don’t you have drinks to serve?”
Oliver took a step closer, his steeled stare focused on where Andrew was still holding me against my will. “I won’t say it again. Release her.”
I yanked myself away and this time Andrew didn’t fight it. My wrist hurt where he’d seized me, warning there was a good possibility there’d be a bruise in the morning. “You’re a jerk, Andrew Hampton.”
“That’s not what you were saying before this guy showed up.” He sneered.
“You okay, Liberty?” Oliver asked, anger still blazing in his eyes. The intensity of his focus reminded me what it felt like to be protected, and all I wanted to do was walk into his arms and stay there.
“I need to return to the party. Thank you.” There was no trusting my voice as it shook. This was the first time I’d spoken to him in months and there was so much I needed to say. A million forms of apology came to mind, a hundred ways of telling him just how much I missed him. I couldn’t speak any of it though.
“I’ll escort you back, then,” he offered, giving one last glare toward Andrew. “I believe your fiancé is looking for you, too.” He placed heavy emphasis on my sister.
Andrew’s face turned a mottled red. He was obviously angry over having his fun ruined. “Unless you want to lose your job, you’ll walk away now and leave us to our business.” He stepped forward, menace dripping from his tone.
“We have no more business, Andrew. You’re marrying my sister. Don’t ever approach me like this again.” Nodding at Oliver, I needed to distance myself from both of them. Although he’d come to my rescue and I was grateful, there was no way I could reenter the ballroom with him. No amount of explaining would convince my parents something hadn’t happened. Even telling them the truth about Andrew wouldn’t work. Oliver was the enemy, Andrew the golden boy.
“We’re finished when I say we’re finished.” Andrew grabbed me again.
“You have got to be kidding me?” Oliver retorted. “Or do you seriously have a death wish?” He moved so his body now came between Andrew and me. Things were escalating now, both guys staring down the other. I couldn’t afford to be seen a part of this. Not if I wanted to avoid being blamed for it all.
“Well, aren’t you the tough guy? Do you know who I am?” Andrew demanded, trying to shove Oliver out of his way.
“I don’t give a damn who you think you are. As far as I’m concerned, you’re an asshole who takes advantage of women. That sound about right?”
“Can’t take advantage of the willing,” Andrew snapped back. “Just ask her.”
“I don’t need to.” Without turning around, Oliver aimed his next comment at me. “I’ve got this, Liberty. You can go back to the party.”
“Who are you to give demands? Unless . . .” Andrew looked between us both. “Well, isn’t this sweet. Lovers reunited.”
“Please, Andrew. It’s not like that.” I begged. The situation was going from bad to worse.
“Oh, it’s exactly like that. So this is the infamous Oliver.” Andrew took yet another step forward, sizing Oliver up.
“I am. And you’re the jackass that needs to learn kissing doesn’t involve swallowing your date’s face whole. Pathetic much?” Oliver’s taunt struck a nerve as an angry vein throbbed boldly on Andrew’s forehead. “Go back to your fiancé, Mr. Hampton.”
Andrew seemed to measure the situation, realizing time had passed, and no doubt someone might also come looking for him—probably Erica. “This isn’t over.”
“As far as I’m concerned, it is.” Oliver turned and saw me standing there still, my feet rooted to the spot, my eyes wide with fear. “It was nice seeing you again, Liberty. You look good.”
All I could do was whisper thank you.
“One last thing.” Andrew turned and, for a second, I thought he was going to strike Oliver. Instead, he walked up beside him and spoke quietly in his ear. Whatever he said was gasoline on a flame. One second Oliver was calmly walking away and next he had Andrew pinned against the wall with his fists bunched in the front of Andrew’s shirt.
“Don’t you ever speak about her like that again.” He slammed Andrew back into the wall hard. “Do you hear me, you perverted asshole? Don’t you even think about her or I’ll kill you.” Oliver was furious, his face reddened with fury, as he held Andrew in place.
Andrew winked, smirking like he’d won the lotto. “Just something for you to think about late at night . . . alone in bed.”
Oliver cocked back his fist and that’s when I realized we weren’t alone anymore.
“Release him!” The concierge burst past me with a bellman in tow.
Reluctantly, Oliver did what he was told and stepped back, allowing Andrew to rearrange his clothes.
“I have a good mind to call the police,” Andrew stated indignantly. “My future sister-in-law wasn’t feeling well and I was trying to comfort her when this lout attacked me. If this is the kind of people this hotel attracts, then I’ll be taking my business elsewhere. Be assured, I’ll also be informing my colleagues and friends.”
I wanted to slap his face for lying. There was no chance, however, when my father arrived on the scene. “What’s going on here?”
“We apologize, sir. There seems to have been a confrontation.” The concierge looked panic-stricken.
“Andrew? Why aren’t you inside with Erica?” That’s when he noticed me. “Liberty? Why are you out here?” My father glared at Oliver and pointed his finger angrily at me. “I warned you, didn’t I? You leave me no other choice.”
“But, Dad!” I started, knowing it wouldn’t matter what I said.
“Mr. Montgomery,” Oliver began as well, but my father cut him off.
“I want security to remove this man from the premises and a word with his supervisor.”
The concierge nodded and gestured for the bellhop to go get the additional help.
“There’s no need. I’ll go willingly.” Oliver didn’t even glance my way as he passed by. “For what it’s worth, Mr. Montgomery, you need to be careful of who you allow near your family. Sometimes it’s not who you think that’s the most dangerous.”
“Your advice is meaningless. L
eave my daughter alone.” My father’s voice was calm, but the threat was clear. Nodding, Oliver glared one last time at Andrew and left. Part of me left with him, desperate to follow after to him so I could apologize. There were no words for what had just happened, but I knew I’d try my best to find them.
“If you could give me a moment alone with my daughter and future son-in-law.” Dismissing the concierge and bellhop, my father waited until they left before glaring at me.
“Sir?” Andrew finally spoke up. “With your permission, this wasn’t Liberty’s fault.” His statement shocked me.
“How so?” my father eyed him, suspiciously.
“I came out looking for her, worried. I’m glad I did because I found her cornered by that guy, trying to get away. He tried pushing himself on her, and if I hadn’t come when I did . . .” He left his sentence hanging, the implication obvious.
“Is this true, Liberty?”
“No, that’s . . .”
It was Andrew now who interrupted me. “You’re in shock. Maybe a stiff drink might help. Do you mind if we talk about this later, Lyle?”
“Fine. Can you escort her back to the party? I want to go speak with the supervisor.” He shook hands with Andrew and, with a curt nod to me, my father left me alone.
“How dare you!” I cried. “Oliver wasn’t the villain tonight. It was you!”
“I can’t have my fun with you if you’re locked up. I’d think you’d be grateful to escape Dr. Stein’s clutches.”
“That’s not the point.” I gasped, tears once again threatening to fall. My frame shook, I was so annoyed.
“The point is irrelevant. You owe me now and I fully intend to claim my prize,” Andrew gloated before slapping my behind. “One word about how tonight really went down and I will ruin your precious Oliver.”
“I hate you.”
“Hate is so close to love. Now smile, we need to return to the party.”
The rest of the night sped by quickly, the only mercy granted me. Forced to put back on the dutiful daughter role, I seethed inside. I couldn’t believe this was the world I’d chosen to remain in, forsaking my chance to be happy.
When my father returned, he made a beeline for Dr. Stein. The two of them retreated to a private table where they held conference and I knew it only meant one thing.
If I thought my life was challenging before, it was now near impossible to navigate.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Attending classes on Monday was a relief because focusing on each lesson kept me from falling apart over how stressful the weekend had been.
All I wanted to do was retreat to the quiet solitude of my apartment and nurse my broken heart, but my parents had other plans. After reminding me that staying with them was part of the conditions I’d agreed on, they’d spent the entire time lecturing me about my behavior.
Even when Andrew had stepped in, once again stating it was Oliver who’d caused the confrontation and I was a victim to his lustful designs, my family simply transferred their annoyance. It was my fault there was an issue because I’d started the distasteful relationship to begin with.
I didn’t like the fact Andrew considered himself my ally in the whole debacle. It wasn’t out of kindness or concern; rather, it made me further indebted me to him. His words had been a constant threat in my mind and I had no doubt, if given the chance, he’d try to collect. It became my number one goal to never be left alone with him, a task that would, hopefully, be easier once he married my sister and moved away.
Once again I attempted pulling Erica aside to warn her about her fiancé, but she wouldn’t listen. She was furious that somehow the night had stopped being about her, accusing me of stealing the limelight. When Andrew mentioned she was wrong, that guests had spent the evening unaware of what happened in the lobby, she’d given him the silence treatment for an hour. This was apparently my fault as well.
All the theatrics wore thin on my father’s last nerve. “That’s it. You’re moving back here, Liberty. You obviously can’t handle the responsibility of living alone. You need to be where we can keep a constant eye on you.”
This was the very last thing I wanted. By the grace of God, I somehow convinced him to give me one more chance. There was no way I’d survive coming home after having my freedom for months.
That had been last night, and I’d felt triumphant when my father dropped me off at my apartment. It may be part of some plot he was using to manipulate me, but it was still a small victory for me. After everything I’d lost, perhaps my backbone wasn’t completely weak.
“Everyone, don’t forget your research papers are due next week. If you need any help with it, drop by my office.” Mrs. Chadwick smiled, dismissing the class for the day.
Thankfully, my paper was already completed and ready to submit. I’d chosen a topic that had required a lot of researching at the library, my own kind of therapy because it required me to tune out the world and immerse myself.
Leaving the building, the sun managed to peek out from behind the constant cloud cover and it felt amazing against my skin, after being under fluorescent lights for hours. There wasn’t anywhere I needed to be; so instead of catching a taxi home, I decided to walk.
“Liberty, wait!” Molly’s voice made me jolt with surprise.
“Molly?” Stopping, I waited for her to run over. When she threw her arms around me, I didn’t resist. It was nice being held by someone who didn’t hurt me. “Why are you here? Is it Oliver? Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. It’s you I’m worried about. It’s killed me keeping away!” She hugged me again, this time tighter. “When Oliver came home Friday night and told us what happened, I had to come.”
“You know about that?” I asked, embarrassed. Knowing this needed to be a private conversation, I pointed over to a bench. Under one of the largest hawthorns on campus, it would afford us plenty of privacy and shade, should the weather turn nasty.
“Yeah, I was there when Oliver came home. He was in such a foul mood; it took forever for Blake to calm him down. When he told us about finding that Andrew guy touching you, I thought both of the guys were going to leave and finish the job.” Molly picked up my hand and didn’t let go. “I’ve never seen them that fired up before.”
“So, he wasn’t angry at me?” I studied her face, looking for the lie.
“Why would he be angry at you? He still loves you!”
It was too much to comprehend and I sat back, not knowing how to process it. “But I was so rude. I gave up on him . . . on us, and haven’t called him in months. I . . .” Words alluded me.
“Liberty, he understands. Yes, he was hurt when it first happened; but he also knew it wasn’t truly over between you. He’s never given up.”
“I can’t believe it.” No one had ever had that much faith in me before.
“I told him he needed to fight for you and go beat down your door. We all saw how you two were with each other that night at Inferno. You can’t fake that kind of connection.” Turning to the side, Molly squeezed my hand, gently. “He told us if he gave you enough time and space, things would work out. Not once did he stop believing.”
There was no holding back the tears. “I wanted to call him so bad. He was always there in my mind, whispering encouragement. I was just too trapped.”
“Please, don’t cry, sweetie. Everything will be okay, now. That’s why I came. I would’ve called but the number Oliver has is disconnected.” Digging into her purse, Molly handed me a clean tissue.
“But it’s not okay!” I exclaimed, blowing my nose. “Are you sure he still loves me? I assumed he’d hate me after my father talked with his supervisor. Why would he want someone so damaged and weak?”
“That’s the beautiful thing about Oliver, Liberty. He’s not someone who sees solely on the surface. He looks beyond the flaws and is only interested in the heart. He’ll kill me for saying it but you need to hear this.” Molly paused, forcing me to make eye contact with her. She cocked her head,
compassion filling her green eyes. “In all the time I’ve known him, you are the only one he’s shown this level of protectiveness over. It’s been torture for him not to be with you, but something tells me he’ll wait as long as it takes. You’re it for him.”
A sob broke free, my heart refusing to let me deny the truth I heard in Molly’s voice. “I miss him so much!”
“Then why aren’t you with him? I’ve tried to figure that out. Oliver told us how miserable you looked at that party. It was the hardest thing for him to walk away and respect your wishes.”
“It destroyed me watching him leave. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t.”
“So why didn’t you? Are you that afraid of your parents? They can’t control you forever. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to take a stand.”
“You don’t understand.” Wiping my wet cheeks with the back of my hand, she offered me another tissue.
“Then help me. It hurts watching two people who are meant to be with each other, kept apart.”
I started from the beginning, sharing countless examples of my parents’ indifference toward me, and how they’d controlled me. Tears filled Molly’s eyes as I told her about Erica and her threats, about never feeling safe until I’d moved into the apartment. When I finally mentioned Dr. Stein and my visit to his facility, she gasped.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.” She threw her arms around me again, both of us quietly weeping. “I am so sorry, Liberty. I had no idea. You never expect bullies to be your own family.”
“It’s my own fault. I let them do it and when I had the chance to get free, I caved.”
“But I get it. No one would want to go back to that place again. I know I wouldn’t.” She rubbed my back, embracing me tightly, before letting go. “What about now? You don’t live with them anymore.”
“I see Dr. Stein every two weeks. The threat is still there. At first I thought I could secretly see everyone, but my father seems to know everything. I couldn’t risk it. I’m too much of a coward,” I whispered softly.
Loving Liberty Page 18
