Boxed Set

by Brenda K. Davies

He forced himself to release her as he flung the door open and climbed out. Mike hopped out of the back seat and slammed the door shut. "Liam, let me take her in," he said quietly.

  "No, she stays here."

  "Liam—"

  "I have something I have to do. She's staying with me. Just watch her, I'll be right back."

  Liam turned away and hurried into the house. Climbing the stairs, the music became louder as he ascended. Making it to the attic, he flung the door open to a packed room that shook with music and reeked of alcohol.

  He hurried through the crowd as he searched for Michelle. Kathleen found him first. "Where is Sera?" she demanded her hands on her round hips.

  "Outside," he answered as he peered over her head through the crowd.

  "Is she all right?"

  "She's fine. Where's Michelle?"

  "She was on the dance floor. I'm going to see her."

  He grabbed Kathleen's arm and halted her in place. "Not right now, okay?"

  Kathleen glared up at him. "She's my best friend!" she protested.

  "I need to do something first. Let me do this, Kathleen. I promise it will be worth it."

  Kathleen relaxed in his grasp. "All right, but you tell her I love her, and I'll talk to her soon."

  "I will, I promise."

  "I'll help you find Michelle."

  He found her first though. A group of men surrounded her by the back wall. He moved through the group and leaned against the wall beside her. He took her drink out of her hand and sipped from it.

  "Did I say you could have that?" she asked coldly.

  "I'm used to taking what I want." He smiled at her as he handed her cup back.

  "Where's the wife?"

  "Who?"

  "The little wifey. Where is she tonight?"

  "I don't know and don't care."

  "Did you two have a lover's quarrel last night?" Her voice was husky and seductive.

  Anger blazed through him at the reminder, but he managed to keep it under control. "Can't quarrel with a lover unless they are your lover."

  Michelle glanced through the crowd, and he followed her eyes. Kathleen was standing off to the side watching them. Doug stood beside her, his mouth hanging open. Kathleen grabbed his arm and pulled him away as she shot Liam a look over her shoulder. Liam didn't know if Kathleen had done it on purpose, or if she was really pissed, but the look she gave him could have frozen Hell.

  "Is that why you're here?" Michelle inquired through lowered lashes. "Need a little relief?"

  Revulsion washed through him at the thought, but he managed to keep his face impassive as he turned back to her. "Thought we could both use a little relief."

  Her eyes flew to his as she smiled slyly. "That may be true, but I don't plan on going there again, not after the way you treated me last time."

  "We both know we only wanted one thing that night."

  "Maybe so," she whispered huskily. "But you didn't have to be so mean to me after."

  "Ah, but I had to."

  "And why is that?"

  "Because I can't resist a challenge."

  She lifted a delicate brow as her mouth curved. "A challenge?"

  He laughed coldly and turned to face her as he propped his hand on the wall beside her head. He leaned in so close that his chest brushed against hers. Her body arched into him as her mouth parted. He pushed down a shiver of revulsion as he forced himself to smile. "Everyone said I couldn't get near Sera. I proved I could. I never refuse a challenge, and now it's gone."

  "So she finally gave it up," Michelle purred. "I thought you cared for her."

  "Now, Michelle, you should know better than that."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  He rested his lips against her ear. "I'm just like you. All we want to do is please ourselves."

  She laughed and tossed back her hair as she stared up at him. "I'm not like that."

  "Oh really?" He brushed back her hair. "Well, I know you pleased me, and I know I pleased you."

  "Oh really?" she inquired as she sipped her drink. "What makes you think that?"

  He glanced pointedly down at the hardened nipples pressed against his chest. "You do. I think we need to do it again."

  She touched his chest lightly. "So you can make me look like a fool again. No thanks."

  He grinned and leaned closer to her. "Whatever you say, sweetie. It's your loss."

  She stared at him as he took a step back. "I can't leave this party with you," she said.

  He had her. "I understand, beautiful. We'll meet somewhere else."

  "Where?"

  "Meet me in the park, by the gazebo. We'll have a little picnic and enjoy each other."

  "All right."

  "Ten minutes." He rubbed his finger along her lip. "Don't be late."

  "Oh, I won't. You be ready for some real pleasure."

  "I already am."

  He turned and walked rapidly through the crowd. Kathleen was standing by the keg with Doug, Jack, and Danielle. They were all staring at him with mixed expressions of surprise and distrust.

  "You better know what you're doing," Kathleen grated.

  Liam poured himself a drink and took a long swallow. "I do."

  "If you hurt her again, I'll kill you," she said flatly.

  Liam shot her a look as he tossed the rest of his beer in the trash and walked away.

  "Where are we?" Sera murmured.

  "The park."

  "What are we doing here?"

  Liam sat back in his seat and turned to face her. Her eyes were a vivid purple in her pale face. Her bottom lip trembled, but her eyes were dry. "I need to take care of something."

  "What?"

  "Michelle."

  "How?" she whispered.

  "She's going to meet me here."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Try not to think about it right now. Come here."

  He pulled her into his arms. She laid her head in his lap; her small hand curled around his thigh as her eyes drifted closed. He stroked her hair as he took in her pale face and the thick bandage on the side of her neck. His hand clenched as he ground his teeth.

  He lifted his head to meet Mike's gaze in the rearview mirror. Liam looked away from him before Mike could see how close the demon in him was to breaking free. He looked out at the night. It was eerily hushed. There were no moon or stars, but he could see the trees. A steeliness stole its way through his body. He wanted to kill Michelle and anyone else who had ever caused Sera harm. He continued to stroke her hair as he tried to keep himself grounded with her.

  He glanced at the clock. "I have to go," he said. "I'll be back soon; will you be all right?"

  "Yes."

  He took off his jacket and lifted her head to slide it underneath her. "I love you," he whispered. She curled into a ball as he opened the door and stepped out. "Come on," he said to Mike.

  Mike looked dumbfounded before he thrust his door open and stepped out. "You don't want me to stay with her?"

  Liam glanced back at Sera. She looked incredibly small and so wounded it tore at his heart. He hated to leave her alone here, but he needed Mike. He shut his door and waited for Mike to do the same.

  "No,” Liam said. “I need you with me." Mike looked warily back in the car. It was obvious he didn't like the idea of leaving her alone either. "I'll kill her, Mike. I need you there to stop me."

  Mike closed his mouth and nodded.

  A pair of headlights swept over the interior of the car. Sera listened as another vehicle pulled up and turned off. A door opened and shut. She rose to watch Michelle hurry down the path toward the gazebo with a case of beer in hand.

  For the first time, Sera felt some emotion penetrate her numbness. She had to fight the urge to get out of the car and confront her. She didn't know how, but she knew Michelle had something to do with Jacob showing up tonight. She looked at the keys in the ignition and was half-tempted to start the car and run her over with it.

  Instead, she
sat back in the seat and watched her disappear.

  Liam watched as Michelle walked toward him with her hips swaying seductively. "Hello, sexy," she purred as she placed the beer on the gazebo step.

  "Hello, Michelle."

  She smiled as she hurried up the steps. She froze just inches before him as terror spread over her features and she gaped at him.

  Sera grabbed the keys from the ignition and climbed out of the car. She was freezing, and she needed something to do to take her mind off what was going on in the park. She walked around to the back of the car and slid the keys into the lock. Pulling Liam's jacket closer, she inhaled his pleasant, reassuring scent as she flung the trunk open.

  She reached in to look for a blanket or clothes and froze. Jacob stared back at her. Wrapped in her clean, white sheets, his head was turned toward the side and his eyes open in unseeing horror. Sera stumbled back in revulsion as a scream caught in her throat. She tripped and fell to the ground. A guttural cry ripped from her as she scrambled backward like a crab.

  Her breath came in heavy, lurching wheezes, and she couldn't stop the rolling revulsion racing through her. She turned onto her knees and vomited, her whole body heaved as she knelt upon the chilly ground. When her stomach was empty, she wiped the back of her hand over her mouth. She couldn't find the strength to stand.

  Liam was a murderer. He killed Jacob. Jacob was dead. Her mind spun, one thought would not stay for more than a second or two. Nothing made sense. Everything was wrong.

  Finally, when she could breathe normally again and move without feeling nauseous, she shoved herself to her feet. Stumbling to the car, she slammed the trunk closed without looking in it. She couldn't handle that awfulness again. The keys fell to the ground, but she didn't notice as she took a trembling step back.

  Her gaze drifted to the path Liam, Mike, and Michelle had traversed. She didn't want to go, but she knew she had to. She had to see Liam and learn what was going on. Stumbling forward, she headed toward the path. Her heart lurched with every step, and her breath came in heavy pants as she broke into a run.

  Tree branches slapped her face and hands as she stumbled blindly through the night. She tripped over a log and fell to the ground. Her hands and knees stung from the impact, but she didn't notice through the panic constricting her heart. She climbed back to her feet and started running again. The gazebo loomed before her as she finally made it to the park.

  She froze as something inside told her not to go any further. She could see Liam and Michelle in the gazebo. Michelle gestured excitedly; her voice drifted through the night, but the words were indiscernible. Liam's voice was angry and insensible.

  Sera started to creep forward. A part of her told her to run, to leave, and never look back. Another part of her, the bigger part, told her to keep going. This was Liam; he loved her; he would never hurt her.

  Liam looked up and spotted Sera standing at the edge of the woods. He froze as his eyes latched onto her. Michelle turned toward Sera, her body stiffened and then relaxed. Liam's arms remained locked on the banister behind her as Sera approached.

  Sera looked like a ghost, pale and ethereal as she moved toward the steps of the gazebo. Her long hair billowed like a banner behind her as it whipped in the wind. Michelle turned back to Liam; apprehension still filled her eyes, but there was a glimmer of hope in them now. Sera climbed the steps; her eyes were turbulent as they met Liam's before going toward Michelle. Sweat beaded her brow and matted her hair to her face. Her breath came fast, and he knew she’d run all the way here. He just didn't know why. He turned his attention away from her and back to Michelle.

  "I think you have something to tell her," he said.

  "I called Jacob," Michelle admitted.

  Sera's jaw clenched. "How did you know?" she grated.

  Michelle looked at the ground as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I knew something must’ve happened to you," she whispered hesitantly. "You never spoke of your home. You never go back there; you were always so skittish around men..."

  Her voice trailed off. Sera's breath froze in her lungs. Liam's face was utterly inhuman as he stared at Michelle. She willed him to look at her, to show some sign he was still the man she loved. But his gaze never traveled to her as he kept Michelle pinned in.

  "Tell her everything!" he barked.

  Michelle jumped and tensed. Sera shivered and buried herself deeper into Liam's jacket. Her gaze flew to the back of the gazebo as Mike took a step forward. She hadn't seen him standing there. Relief washed over her when she realized there was someone else here to help. Nothing bad would happen.

  "I... I did some investigating," Michelle stammered, drawing Sera's attention again. "I called your old high school and got in touch with your parents. At first, no one would tell me anything. But, a couple of weeks ago I got ahold of one of your yearbooks, and I managed to get in touch with someone from your class..."

  Michelle's voice broke off.

  "Who?" Sera asked.

  "Lisa Evans."

  Sera closed her eyes against the wave of sorrow crashing through her. Lisa had been her best friend, and it was Lisa's party they were at that night. Lisa saw her leave with Jacob. She never said a word, and she had been one of the first to accuse Sera of lying. Betrayal, fresh and new, tore through her, wrung tears from her eyes, and shook her body.

  Liam turned his head to gaze at Sera. Tears slid down her pale cheeks. She looked so small, vulnerable, lost, and hurt. The impotence he felt caused his hands to clench on the rail. It took everything he had not to rip Michelle's throat out. A gasp escaped Michelle as she gazed at him in wide-eyed alarm. Her body began to tremble.

  "Please don't kill me," she whispered pleadingly. "Please."

  Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was enough blood on his hands tonight, and no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't kill her. Not with Sera there. She would not see that side of him. As far as he was concerned, she would never know it existed.

  "What did Lisa say?" Sera asked.

  Michelle nervously licked her lips as she stared at Liam. Her heart raced so fast he could see it leaping in her throat.

  "Answer her," he grated.

  Michelle jumped and blurted a response. "She told me you accused Jacob of trying to rape you, and that it was a lie. She said once everyone learned about the lie, you took off to live with your grandmother, and no one heard from you again. She put me in touch with one of Jacob's friends, who gave me his number."

  "So you called him?"

  "Yes."

  "You told him where I was. You told him about Liam and I. Why would you do that?"

  The betrayal in Sera's voice ripped through Liam. His hands clenched so firmly on the wood he was sure he would tear it free. Michelle's eyes flitted back to him. She swallowed convulsively as she tried to find the words to speak.

  "She said it was a lie. He said it was a lie. I thought he should confront you on it. Make you face up to your lies."

  "I didn't lie!" Sera yelled.

  Michelle jumped again; she glanced hopefully at Mike. Liam's temper was coming to a dangerous boiling point. Michelle was suffused in a reddish haze. If he didn't get away from her soon, he would kill her.

  "I know that now," she whispered. Her head bent as sobs racked her body. "Please don't kill me, I'm sorry. I am sorry."

  "No one's going to kill you," Sera assured her.

  She wasn't so sure no one was going to kill her though. Jacob was dead. Liam had killed him. The deadly look on his face, and the wrath emanating from him, sent a shiver of alarm down her spine. She didn't know this man before her; she reminded herself. She had no idea what this man was capable of doing. And right now, he seemed fully capable of anything.

  "Please," Michelle whimpered.

  "Why?" Liam demanded. His voice was a whiplash of malice that sent waves of alarm crashing through Sera.

  "I just thought... I just thought if you saw what a liar she was you wouldn't want her anymore. I
didn't know it was true! I swear I didn't!"

  "That makes it all right?" he hissed.

  "Liam," Sera whispered.

  For a moment, her words didn't penetrate the killing frenzy enshrouding him. Then, Sera touched his arm. He turned to her, his eyes spitting fury, as a snarl curved his mouth. Her hand fell away as she took a trembling step back. Mike stepped in between her and Liam. The utter terror suffusing Sera's face finally penetrated through to him.

  Sera's heart hammered. For a second, Liam's eyes had been a blood red that sent instinctive terror ripping through her. She was tempted to turn and flee from what she glimpsed in him. What was he? Tremors racked her body, adrenaline raced through her, but her legs refused to move.

  She knew what she’d seen, what she’d glimpsed, and yet her heart and soul, would not allow her to run from him. She loved him, no matter what, but right now she was utterly petrified of him. She glanced at Mike, but he must not have seen it. Otherwise, he would have fled by now. Wouldn't he?

  She glanced back at Liam. His eyes seemed to clear, and the coldness left them as he gazed at her. His body sagged as he shoved himself away from the banister. "Get out of here!" he spat at Michelle.

  Michelle glanced at Sera but didn't stop as she lurched down the steps and ran into the woods. Sera's legs threatened to give out as she was left alone with Liam and Mike. Liam could do anything he wanted to her; he could kill her like he had Jacob. And yet, something inside her said he wouldn't. That no matter what, he wouldn't allow any harm to come to her. Plus, Mike was there, he would help her if she needed it.

  Liam took a step toward her, but she held up a hand to stop him as she shook her head. "Are you all right?" he inquired.

  "No."

  "Let's get you out of here."

  "No."

  He stared at her in confusion and took another step toward her. Mike took a small step away; his eyes were watchful as he glanced between her and Liam. "What's wrong?"

  Sera took a deep breath, her shoulders shook, but she was determined to know everything. "Where is Jacob?"

  He froze as he stared at her. "Sera—"

  "Where is he?" Her voice was a little shrill.

  Liam stared at her in dismay. Shit, this was all going wrong. The rapid beating of her heart told him she’d seen something in his eyes when he'd turned to look at her. How much she glimpsed, he didn't know. "He had a knife."