Emilia’s pov
“Who’s she” My gaze sort his and I watch his face go dark.
Liam stares at the picture for a long while, like he’s seeing it for the first time. He finally sighs and walks to the window, bringing out a stick of cigarette and a lighter. He lights the stick and stick it in his mouth.
“That’s Jane, she was my girlfriend” His voice was unbearably hoarse, I was wishing I hadn’t asked about her. I bit my lips and look down the floor.
“She died” He deadpans as I shut my eyes at the pain in his voice. I finally open my eyes to stare at liam, rigid and broad chested against the glass walls.
“I’m sorry about that liam” I rasp. Jeez I feel so bad right now.
“Dad had her killed” He continues like he didn’t hear me. I feel my heartbeat accelerate as I unconsciously gasp out.
“What do you mean liam!?”. I blurt out at once. He rakes his hand at his hair and sigh.
“Apart from being a politician and having the biggest band in Spain… Dad is in the Mafia” I gape at him and bat my lashes in surprise, what the freaking hell!. Liam’s dad in the Mafia, dang it!. Shooting, narcotics, trafficking and money laundering… sounds like deep shit to me.
“But I was always the cool one, didn’t wanna get involved in killing or anything concerning the Mafia. Just wanted a nice peaceful life. Being a popstar was enough. And the joy I derived from it knew no bounds” He chuckles lowly, bitterly.
“Dad had a lot of enemies, from the Mafia, as a politician and also in the music industry” He turns to face me and his face held so much pain I wished I could take it away.
“They wanted me as a bait to get dad down the drain, and he made sure i was totally safe, tight security and all…. they couldn’t get me so they tried another alternative… Jane” He paused and took a long drag from his cigarette. I entwine my fingers and walk to sit on the huge bed.
“It was difficult for them to get to her, I made sure she was always away from harm, but it wasn’t enough… dad wasn’t concerned about her. Never did like her, and they finally got her” I run my hand down my hair as I feel my throat run dry. I imagined being caught and held captive by bad people. I shudder at the thought and stare at Jane’s picture. I’m sorry Jane.
“They took her far away…” Liam’s voice snap me out of my thoughts.
“They made her life a living hell. Injected her with drugs, tortured her daily. They were ready to let go of her, if only dad would come to an agreement with them, but dad cared less, said business was business, I should let her go” his voice dropped a notch, and I could almost hear the hate in his voice. He flicks the cigarette stick into the ashtray and return it back into his mouth.
“I was mom’s little boy then, didn’t know the bad side of life, mom had always been the one there for me. I pleaded with dad, begged him not to let Jane die… she was all I had, the best thing that ever happened to me…. we planned on a happy family but dad shattered it with his obsession for the Mafia. I saw them kill Jane, she was tired and weak, the only words she uttered was my name. She didn’t even have a family. I was the only person she had anyways. And when dad wouldn’t budge, they asked for a last say on his decision” He stops abruptly and butts the end of the cigarette stick on the ashtray. He turns to face the window again. I watch him through blurry eyes. I had lost my dad, I know the feeling quite alright.
“Dad chose money over my happiness, he told them they could go on with their threats. I was sent the video, they shot her twice in the head, and her last words were “Sebastian”. He hung his head low and I sniff lowly. God now I feel so bad!. I get off the bed and stride to him. I hug him from behind and burrow my face into back.
“I’m so sorry Liam…. I didn’t wish to open those deep wounds” I whisper lowly. He turns and kisses me on the hair.
“I’m glad to let it out Emilia… it means I’m getting over the pain” He coos and run his hand down my back.
“I couldn’t get over her for months, mom was devastated. She tried paying for therapy, shit went wrong. I got pissed at everything, packed up six months after she died and decided to leave. ” I arch my brows and stare up at him.
“Ryan and Rose decided to follow me, Ryan has been my friend since we were kids. Rose is among my music band. I didn’t want them to come with me but Ryan swore he’d tell mom about it. It hurt me to leave, but it was the only option. So we left… i wanted some inner peace” He sighs and I disengage immediately, my head feels like they’d burst from all the things he’s saying.
“It must have been hard liam, adjusting to a normal life” I stand beside him and look out of the window. Madrid has got a lot of beautiful houses.
“The fuck it was. I had to change my identity when I found out the motherfuckers, my dad’s enemies followed me down to Boston, I grew my hair long, had my body tatted and acquired a muscular frame. It helped. Things got pretty bad, and I decided to fight back. Decided to confront those dickheads who killed Jane. Bruise was amongst them” I whip my head to the side and stared at him wide eyed.
“Nick?” I voice out and he nods.
“He’s got a lot of place there in Boston. They use it in covering their shit… sounds fucked up” He says and go quiet. There was nothing left to say. Nick was the owner of that boutique, little wonder he didn’t pay that day. It wasn’t long Nick started working the pizzeria. Probably followed liam down here and used the pizzeria as a camouflage.
“But I guess it all paid off now…” He pull me to his side and brush back my hair.
“I decided to give up my plans to kill those dweebs who caused me pain, cos I found an unpaid therapy, I think barging into your apartment that night wasn’t bad afterall” He smirk and I blush and lolled against his chest.
“And I think falling for a criminal wasn’t so bad afterall” I smirked back and he chuckles.
“Criminal huh?” He arch his brows and I giggle.
“Yeah criminal liam, cos you stole my heart” I bit my lips as he stares down at me intently.
“Ever told you you’re naughty?” He says as he wraps his arm around my waist. I chuckle and shook my head.
“Well you are small ass” He spanks my butt as pulls me into a kiss.
•••••
I sit beside liam at the dining table as a maid dished out food. Rebecca sits across me and can’t stop smiling and chattering. I smile down at my plate of food. Have to admit liam is lucky to have such a mom. Ryan and liam chuckles to whatever she says. I look around the expensively furnished living room. It was damn large. I bet the mansion would have five floors. Dinner in a mansion with a lot of expensive stuffs is more exciting than I can ever imagine.
“Emilia… i bet while Sebastian was with you he eats a lot huh?. I widen my eyes at liam before grinning at her.
“Yeah Mrs Rebecca, i had to to shop for foodstuffs every week” i smirk at him as she laughs, liam arching his brows at me. I chuckle and pick up my fork. I guess i’m still lucky Rose and sir Paige haven’t yet showed up. Somehow his dad presence always gives me the creeps, if only he wasn’t so huge!.
“Sebastian, i’m so glad you’re back home now can’t wait to listen to your welcome home song. it’s gonna be a hit i’m sure of that” she slides her hand across and pats his hand. liam scoffs.
“I’m hoping dad doesn’t see me like a nineteen year old feeble kid and wouldn’t let me produce my own song” He picks up his wine and sip at it.
Silence follows his outburst I bit my lips as a worried look settles on Rebecca’s face. Ryan gives her a reassuring smile. I chew on my food slowly, the tension making me cringe. its obvious liam hates his dad. I stuff food in my mouth. The food is damn tasty, if it weren’t for courtesy sake, I might as well ask for more.
The glass door opens as liam dad step in.
“Speak of the two faced devil!” liam growls. I stop chewing out of nervousness. His huge frame always made me nervous.
Rebecca gets off her seat Just as liam draws back his chair.
“Evening Anthonio , how was your trip” she says and peck him on the cheeks. He doesn’t responds but his unsmiling eyes settles on me. I blink and look down my food.
“que trajiste a casa Sebastian?!” He says raising his voice. Liam glanced at me before fisting his palm. His face goes taut with anger.
“Shit!.. what the fuck do you mean by that dad!” Liam stares daggers at him. I may not understand Spanish, but the look he gave me means only one thing, he doesn’t want me here. I bit my lips hard.
“Anthonio… could you save this for later!” Rebecca says. Ryan stares at me pitifully but doesn’t say a word. Liam’s dad continues in Spanish and they are arguing. I barely listen cos I zoned out already. Realisation hits me hard. He dosen’t want me for his son. It hurts all the more cos he seems to be ridiculing me in Spanish.
“Fuck it dad… you aren’t gonna tell me who to be with are you?!” Liam angry voice cuts through my thoughts and I couldn’t take it any longer. I get off the chair and hastily walk out of the living room. I hear liam call my name but I ignore him and run up the large spiral staircase. I got into Liam’s ensuite and stride to the small living room. I flopped down the soft couch as they tears spilled out. I hung my head low and hold my head in my hands, sobbing lowly. I didn’t come all the way from Boston to get rejected by his dad.
I didn’t prepare for this, never expected such kind of rejection. I pull off my footwear and hug my knee to my chest. The door barges open and I look up to see liam walk in. I wipe off my tears and look away. Liam strides towards me and squats in front of me.
“You really aren’t crying cos of what happened are you?” He mutters as he places his palm either side of my face. I don’t reply but look behind him to the aquarium filled with gold coloured fishes.
“For fuck sake Emilia don’t let that get to you, my dad’s an asshole” I tear my gaze away from the aquarium and let it scan his features. The things we do for love. Leaving a place to follow a guy to wherever he wants to his definitely a huge risk. A risk which I decided to take and wish I’m hoping was worth taking. Liam’s dad dashed my hope into tiny pieces with his outright rejection.
“He still feels I’m a a kid, the one he can control and manipulate over a year ago, I’m sure gonna let him know things are different now, I’m different” I place my feet on the floor and run my fingers through my hair. I guess he’s right, he’d never have a healthy relationship with liam if he keeps doing this. Liam’s of age to make decisions for himself. Why the heck does his dad have to do this!.
“Don’t let it ruin your first night here alright?… smile for daddy” He winks and I chuckle and poke him on the chest.
“I hate to say this but I don’t think we would be a thing with your dad disapproving our being together” I mutter. He groans and rake his hands at his hair.
“He isn’t gonna try shit to you, focus on staying happy tonight alright?” He stand up and pulls me to himself. I nod against his chest and sigh. I’ve come too far to let go of liam. He owns my heart now, and I don’t think I’d ever be able to live without him. I loved his cute world, and can’t bear the thought of returning to my boring nerdy one. We pull away and walk into his room.
“I’d just go shower to cool my nerves” I tell him and walk to the ensuite bathroom. I strip off my clothes and step under the shower. I turn on the faucet and the cold water hits my skin. I sigh and let it seep into my skin.
I drape a bathrobe around me and walk out of the bathroom. Liam sits on the bed typing at his laptop. I move to the closet and threw it open. I select a nightdress and shut it close. I turn and flinch at the sight of liam standing close to me.
“jeez you scared the shit outta me!” I voice out, taking in his sturdy build, clad only in his boxer briefs.
“You look damn sexy in that robe small ass…. mind if I take it off” He smirks and that makes my heart skips two beats. His gaze lingers on my exposed thighs before settling on my face. He tucks back the hair sticking to my face and brush his thumb against my lips.
“I’ve always wanted to have you from the day I barged into your apartment…. only wanted to earn your trust so you wouldn’t think I was manipulating you” He leans down and his breathe fans my cheek. Heat crawl up my skin at his intense gaze. He cups my cheeks and lowers his warm lips to capture my wet one. I gasp as my back hits the closet door. I drape my arms around his neck and kiss back. He trails the kiss down to my wet nape and I bit my lips and try not to moan.
Liam trail his finger up my thighs and I shudder inwardly.
“Liam…” I breathe out in protest. His fingers ride up to my tummy as he kisses the spot between my ears. I shut my eyes and gasp out a moan. My skin heating up already.
“Damn small ass…” He groans and slowly withdraw his hands as they went up to the woolly rope.
“Let’s take this off already” He smirks down at me and gently tug at it.
“Liam!” I say huskily but with a single pull, he freed the ropes and it slides off my shoulder and back, tumbling to the floor in a messy heap.