Page 72 of Fatality

But I have a bad feeling.

Then Liam asks about my bruises.

“What happened to you?” He looks me over. “Did Elyas do something to you?”

“What?” I frown. “No! Never! I just slipped in the shower, and I've been cartwheeling all day. It's from that.”

I can tell Liam isn't buying my excuse for the bruises.

When the girls head to the restroom, he turns to me.

“Riven,” he says after a long enough pause to make me feel like I murdered someone. “I don't believe your story.”

“Well...” I gulp.

What am I supposed to say? That I let Elyas drag me into the Lower Layers? That I ended up as a passenger in an illegal street race?

That some asshole deliberately crashed into us, then tried to kidnap me and kill me because I dared to fight back?

No.

He'd worry too much.

I can't add another burden to his shoulders when he's constantly telling us how much work he has at the corporation.

“Believe me or don't, Liam,” I say, colder than I intended. “That's what happened.”

“You're lying.” Liam narrows his eyes.

He fidgets with his napkin before gesturing vaguely toward my bruises.

“You didn't text me that night. You disappeared, then came back covered in bruises.” He studies my face. “So, tell me. Did someone hurt you?”

I look away. He is smart.

“If they did, we'll go to the Enforcers and report them.”

I look back at him, a little disappointed, I thought he'd say something else.

Even so, I'm not letting him get involved in any of this.

It's over, it's done. I'll never see that man again.

“Liam, I'm fine.”

“Okay.” He picks up his drink. “If you say so.”

A pause.

“I don't like it when you lie to me, Riv. You know that. I'm worried about you. And I won't accept anything happening to you, you need protection, you are a woman, my woman, you can't be out there alone.”

I recoil slightly.

What? I need protection because I'm a woman?

I mean, physically, men are stronger, but I'm not a damsel in distress who needs her prince to come and save her.

And I'm definitely not going to stop going out.