35
Naomi
Watchingthem take Rob away in cuffs made my stomach twist with anxiety, even though he winked at me right before he ducked into thecopcar.
“He’ll be fine,” Liam promised me. “He didn’t do anything but protect you. They’ll get his statement and lethimgo.”
I sat in the back of the ambulance, with my legs dangling over the gravel of my driveway. “I’m fine,” I promised the EMT. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. I just need Motrin and two weeks’ sleep, and I’ll be goodasnew.”
“I promised Rob I’d stay with you,” Liam said. “Stay or go. I’llbehere.”
I nodded, even though I felt nervous around Liam. He didn’t even like me; he’d made that abundantly clear. It was weird, because we had known each other as kids too, and I didn’t know where this certainty that I was some gold-digging hussycamefrom.
The police came to take my statement, and Liam wandered away to give us privacy. When I’d finished, I waved to Joe, who waited at the car, sitting in the passenger seat of the Suburban with the door open. Sunrise had cracked open fully, and the morning was clearandcool.
It was Liam who joined me first, though, instead of Joe who was creaking slowlytowardsus.
“Let’s get you home,” Liam saidcurtly.
“It’s not my home,” I said. Lord knew Liam wanted to make sureofthat.
Liam offered me his arm. I shook my head, not willing to take it, as I slid off the bumper of the ambulance. My knees buckled, and Liam slid his arm around my waist impatiently. Pain radiated from my knee up through my hamstring, so bad that it was hard to walk. Funny howa sprainsounded so minor and yet felt soagonizing.
"My brother seems a little bit concerned about you," Liam said lightly. "I've never seen him like this over a girlbefore."
"Really?" I said. “Well, I’m pretty sure I’m the only woman who’s ever been carjacked with him on a first date and kidnapped by the third. So you can’t read too muchintoit.”
The truth of those words hit me hard, no matter how much I said it likeajoke.
“I think he loves you, you idiot,”Liamsaid.
I had nothing to say to that. Even though I wanted to walk away from Liam, I had to lean some of my weight on him as we made our way down the driveway to where Joe hadparked.
“But my brother’s a commitment-phobe,” Liam said. “You two… it’shopeless.”
“Thanks, Liam,” I said drily. “Who said I even want acommitment?”
“Well,” he said. “The things you two are doing… if you don’t expect him to put a ring on it… I mean, I don’t want to call you afloozy…”
“What is with your family?” I demanded.Hussy.Floozy.
Rude.
“You know you can just enjoy sex,” I said. “Things can just be fun. Not every woman wants to get married and have babies with every guy shesleepswith.”
“I know,” Liam said impatiently. “But you’re notevery woman.And my brother’s noteveryguy.”
“Kate’s not every woman either.” The bitterness was audible in myvoice.
“Nope,” Liam said. “She’s an old friend that still has a thing for Rob. Even though he’s clearly lost his mind and just wants one girl inNewport.”
I was quiet. Joe opened the back door of the Suburban, and Liam helped me in. I stretched my leg across one of theseats.
“I know it might not be where you want to be,” Joe said, swinging up into the passenger seat. “But Castle Delaney is where youneedtobe.”
“I know,”Isaid.
I was trapped in Rob’scastle.
