I knew as long as temptation lingered, there was a chance I would fuck it all up. But there was a way to ensure that she never wanted to see me again.
A way to make sure that not even if I begged would she come back to me.
I hated to even think of it. The thought of putting my lips on anyone else made me want to vomit, but if it kept her alive, I would kiss a million women.
And there was only one woman I could turn to for help.
I’d known Ellie May all my life. I knew what folks around town said about her, but they were all fucking wrong. Ellie May was the sweetest woman—next to Bailey.
It all started when we were in high school at a party, and someone slipped something in my drink. I’d been drunk out of my mind, but whatever this chick added had me spinning hard. Ellie May had been there for me, guiding me out of the party and to her house where she watched over me to make sure I was okay.
I never knew for sure, but I suspected Kayla Martin was behind it all. She’d always watched me in this way that gave me the creeps, and I had no doubt that someday she’d try something on me.
I was pretty sure that that night, Ellie May had kept me from ending up at the ass end of an unwanted pregnancy. And since that night, I vowed I would always be there for Ellie May if she ever needed anything.
It was a sort of unspoken agreement between us that if either of us needed anything, the other would be there. She’d never needed me, but right now, I was desperate for her help.
When I walked into her shop, she was just finishing up with a customer. But as soon as she was free, the look on Ellie’s face said she already knew what I was going to ask.
“Why are you here, Liam?”
“I need your help.” My voice was nothing but gravel as I forced the words through my lips.
Sighing, she looked down at her counter, and I could see the torture on her face. I’d known for a while that Ellie May had liked me, but she knew where my feelings were.
Firmly with Bailey. They always would be.
“Liam—”
“She’s in danger,” I croaked out. “I don’t know how else to save her. Every second she’s with me, Austin is watching. I know it.”
“I know what you’re asking, but Liam…”
Scoffing, she shook her head at me.
“I know this is wrong to ask of you, Ellie. I know I shouldn’t be here, but you’re the only one I can trust. Please,” I begged.
“You know how I feel about you.” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper as she looked up at her, her eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
“And you’re still here.”
Spinning away from me, she busied herself behind the register, organizing anything she could get her hands on so she didn’t have to talk to me.
“Ellie—”
“Liam, don’t.”
Racing around the counter, I grabbed her arm and pulled her close to me. The panic was crawling under every inch of my skin, threatening to tear me apart.
“Please, Ellie. I know I have no right to ask this, but please. If anything happens to her…”
Tears filled my eyes at the thought of losing her in some horrible accident or by Austin attacking her. It would kill me.
Crossing her arms over her chest protectively, she nodded. “Alright.”
“Yeah?”
