I can’t believe he’s dead. My God, he’s dead. My life is changed forever because of Adam. And now he’s gone. I wanted him dead for so long. But it wasn’t by my hand, like I wanted it to be. I would have done it if Liam wasn’t there. He was right, though, by killing him, I would have destroyed whatever was left of me. I knew he needed to die for me to live, but I only hesitated out of selfish reasons. I was going to choose me over him. I was going to let Liam handle Adam and chose to keep my soul. But then my mother killed Adam, and I’m happy it was her. It was the best gift she ever gave me. His death is my salvation.

After Adam’s death, I regressed into myself. The shock of learning he killed my father and his words telling me how he wanted me to die were too much. I never fathomed someone could be so hateful and evil. Then the realization that it was over, hit me like a ton of bricks. The senator, the guards, and Adam are all dead now, and I survived. I beat them all. I lived, and they didn’t. Tonight, I will allow myself time to reflect and wallow, but tomorrow I’m going to wake up and live my life to the fullest. No more poor Avery; I want to be treated like every other normal woman. I don’t want to be considered a victim anymore.

Now I have another decision to make, what do I do about Liam? He told me he loved me and always will. I’m not sure I can believe him. I should if he was willing to kill for me, and did. But I’m not willing or able to be hurt again right now. He’s the last person on Earth who has the power to hurt me. However, I feel I do need him. My mind and heart are telling me to stay close to him. Maybe it’s stupid of me to hate and love him at the same time, but I do. I can’t help wanting to hurt him, yet wanting to be near him. He scares me now more than ever. I going to just play it by ear. Whatever happens, happens.

The rest of the party goes off without a hitch. I can tell all the family knows. They become extremely protective over me by not letting anyone near. It warms my heart how they all can come together for one single purpose. Protecting me. With or without Liam in my life, I have a feeling I am forever one of theirs.

At the end of the night, everyone says their goodnights and say we will discuss things tomorrow. Catherine kisses me and walks away. I walk outside onto the veranda and hear someone behind me. I know it’s Liam, I can feel it; my body has always responded to him. I haven’t spoken a word to him since we came back to the party.

Without turning around, I ask, “Can you stay with me tonight?”

He turns me around and says, “Every night if you want.”

“I just need you to hold me tonight, Liam. I don’t want to be alone.”

He reaches for my hand and leads me upstairs to his room. For a second I want to tell him no, I want my room, but I decide I’m the one asking for the favor. I need to let him decide the location. He closes the door behind us and starts digging through his drawers. He finds what he’s looking for and offers it to me. I’m so surprised to see what it is. The T-shirt I bought him for Christmas years ago.

“You still have this?”

He nods his head and says, “I still wear it when I think of you.”

I turn my back to Liam and undo the clasp on my neck. It holds the whole top of my dress up. I let the dress fall to my hips and put the T-shirt on, then I squeeze out of the rest of the dress. I turn back around and find Liam staring at me.

“I’m sorry.”

He starts to undress as I watch. His body is so beautiful; there’s not much left behind of the boy he once was. All man stands in front of me now. He grabs my hand and leads me to the bed. Pulling back the covers and laying me down, he goes to the other side and lays down. The room is silent and dark. I don’t feel any movement.

“Liam, would you hold me, please?”

I feel his slow movements. He starts to wrap his arm around me, and I flinch. I didn’t mean to; it’s just, this is the first time a man touches me this way since the rape. Liam freezes his movements and raises his arm weight. I need to do this, so I reach for Liam’s arm and guide him over my waist and pull him closer. We spend the whole night like that. Spooning and sleeping. It was the most peaceful night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time. No nightmares and no worries. I slept with Liam holding me in his arms, and I never felt safer in my life.

The morning comes, and I leave Liam sleeping as I walk out. I don’t want to have to explain to him about last night. I know he would probably want to talk and read things into it. I’m not ready for that. I need to be whole before I can talk to Liam about our feelings.