She lets go of everything she's held in for the majority of her life. She lets it run out of her through the tears.
"Ander," she cries as she fists my shirt with both of her hands, crying harder.
Not a second later, as if the spell of shock had worn off, she pulled herself from me and looked me over, seeing the evidence of the fight between Liam and me.
"You're hurt." She deadpans, sadness laced in her words, as she examines my face, clothing, and arms.
I manage to muster out a small, dry laugh,
"Nah, Rosie,he'shurt," I say, nudging my chin and gesturing her to look at Liam.
"You did that, baby; you took control of your life. I'm so fucking proud of you."
I'm pissed she's here, but knowing she needs the reassurance right about now, that's all I will give to her. We can fight about the rest later.
I take her perfectly beautiful face between both of my hands and kiss her forehead tenderly before pulling her back into me.
"You're okay?" She asks more pleading than not.
I nod over her head, "Yeah, my Rosie, I'm okay. We got into it when we were in the other back-pasture barn. It got ugly. He got the better of me for a bit; then the coward tazored me and then tied me up." I shake my head, saving her most of the details.
"The stupid fuck doesn't know how to tie a good knot, it took me a bit, but I was able to get out of it. I didn't know where he went or that you were even here until I heard your screams as I got closer."
I run my hands through her hair, pulling her head back to look up at me.
"I came as soon as I heard you, baby. I promise."
She nods into my chest, sobs starting to settle.
Liam stops thrashing around below us, but he's still breathing. She looks down and winces as she does.
"He. . . has to die, Ander," Her voice is soft now.
"He will, but not with you here."
"Ander, you—"
"There is no arguing here, Olivia." I plant another kiss on her forehead as I remove her from me, taking a step back, gun still in my right hand.
"Listen to me," she says, shaking her head and shutting her eyes.
"I can't let you do that, Ander."
"God damn it, woman,I won't let you. That will not live on your conscience. It will eat you alive. I won't fucking stand for it."
Her eyes search mine, a plead in them. I won't hear it.
She isn't asking me to spare him.
She's asking me to spare myself.
She thinks taking his life will destroy mine. Little does she know, I may take a littletoo muchpleasure in ending this demented fucker.
Taking another step back, growing colder without her touch and seeing how he's done even more damage to her physically than before, I'm seething.
"Where is everyone else?" I ask dryly.
"b-back at the house, I don't think they figured out he was back here just yet." She chokes out softly, barely audible.
