Liv walked into the dining area with Luke in tow and made her way to his parents. “Thank you for letting me borrow him for a while. He’s such a good kid,” she stated to Jay and Dawn Anderson.

“No, thank you. Lawson was dying to get his hands on your Halloween village,” Dawn replied as Luke took a seat beside his mom. She ruffled his hair and smiled lovingly at her son.

Liv wanted to broach the subject of donating blood to her laboratory. They were the only couple at Safe Haven with a shared life force. Her blood supply from Jacob Scott would be gone soon, and she needed another donation to continue her research. However, she wasn’t sure how they would react to her request. She should get Lawson involved. Maybe if it came from their Alpha, they would be more likely to agree.

“I didn’t mind at all. Enjoy the rest of the evening,” Liv responded and headed over to Cassie, scanning the room for Lawson.

“Yo, bitch! Where ya been?” Cassie quipped when she walked up.

“I was showing little Luke my Halloween stuff. Where’s Lawson?” she asked. She wanted to talk to him about the Andersons before she forgot.

“Um, not sure. Last time I saw Lawson was when we all did some tequila shots. He mentioned not feeling well. Maybe he went back to your room,” Cassie answered as Ryan grabbed her hand.

“Let’s dance, you depraved housewife,” he spouted and tugged her to the center of the room.

“Sorry, Liv. Duty calls,” Cassie said with a wink and Liv shook her head and laughed. They would be going at it by midnight, she surmised.

“I think I saw him headed towards the men’s room,” Ashley piped in as she cleared empty glasses from the bar.

“Hey, don’t do the all the cleanup. I’m going to help with that after I go check on Lawson,” Liv stated as she walked out of the dining area towards the restrooms.

Liv made her way to the hallway of the main floor and pushed the door to the men’s room and poked her head inside. She didn’t see anyone. “Lawson?” she yelled.

No reply. Liv peeked underneath the stalls but didn’t see anyone there, either. She released the door and turned, deciding to check their room and heard muffled voices coming from a nearby room. When she glanced at the door, she recognized the room number. It was Kristi’s room. The last place she wanted to be standing.

The door was slightly ajar, and Liv reached out to pull it shut when she heard a familiar voice. It was Lawson. Why the hell was he in Kristi’s room?

Instead of closing the door, Liv nudged it to get a better view.

The soft glow of candlelight allowed Liv to make out two people on top of the bed. A naked man was lying on his back, and all Liv could see was the back of his head. Kristi was nude as well, crawling on top of the man to straddle his hips.

No. That couldn’t be Lawson she told herself as she squinted, trying to focus on the man lying on his back.

Right then, Kristi’s head lifted, and she met Liv’s gaze. The smile that slid across her face made Liv’s gut twist.

And then her worst nightmare came to life when she heard Lawson groan, “Ride me, Red,” and grabbed Kristi’s breasts.

It was Lawson. She would know that voice anywhere. And he was naked. In Kristi’s bed. Groping her body. This scene couldn’t be happening.

Kristi’s laugh brought Liv out of her bewildered state. The woman wiggled her hips and leaned back, grabbing Lawson’s hand and placing it between her legs, all while she continued staring at Liv.

She couldn’t watch another second. Liv turned and fled. She couldn’t believe what she saw, but it was right in front of her. Lawson was fucking that despicable woman.

Liv dashed through the side exit of the hotel, and a blast of cold air slapped her in the face. The temperature had dropped significantly, but she wasn’t about to go back inside. She ran straight to her Jeep and jumped into the driver seat. Tears streamed down her face as the image of Kristi and Lawson filled her mind.

She pounded her fists on the steering wheel. How could Lawson do this to her? He said Kristi meant nothing to him. Was he so easily swayed by a woman in a skimpy costume? Did he care so little about Liv that he would risk losing her?

Liv put her head on the steering wheel. Her chest heaved as sobs wracked her body. Her world was crumbling, and she was helpless to stop it.

A key dangling in the ignition caught her eye, and she sat there, staring at the metal object. How strange that she left it there instead of putting it in her purse. She never left her keys in the ignition. The moment suddenly felt inevitable, and it made her want to vomit.

What the hell was she going to do? She couldn’t dare go back inside the house knowing what Lawson was doing inside those walls. And, what would she say to Cassie? Hell, Cassie was probably having sex with Lawson’s brother by now. There was nobody else she could turn to for help.

She had to get as far away from Safe Haven as possible.

Liv cranked her vehicle and took off down the dirt road. Minutes later, she was barreling down the interstate towards Chattanooga. To where she had no idea. Cassie was staying the night at the hotel so she couldn’t go to her house. Maybe she should go to her mom’s. Her mom was the one person she could always count on during a crisis.

Yes. Liv's mom would know what to do. Liv punched the accelerator and sped away from Hollow Rock and the man that broke her heart.

Liv wiped her face then reached up and knocked on the oversized front door. Her body shook as the cold wind whipped inside her cloak and short dress.

The door opened, and her gaze met Bart’s. “Liv, what are you doing here? Nick called and said you seemed very upset,” he stated as he rubbed a hand through his hair.

“I didn’t know where else to go. I would’ve called, but my phone is at the hotel,” Liv replied, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. She swore she wasn’t going to break down in front of her friend.

Liv realized she couldn’t go to her mom’s house at such a late hour. She didn’t want to wake her or possibly interrupt an evening with her new man. That would be beyond embarrassing for both of them.

“Of course, come in. You must be freezing,” Bart said and opened the door wider so she could step inside.

He closed the door behind her, and that’s when she noticed Bart was wearing lounge pants and nothing else. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry for coming over unannounced. Are you with someone?” she whispered, feeling like a complete dumbass for barging into her friend’s home this late on a Saturday night.

“No, not at all. I was going over the reports you sent from the lab. I’ve got a fire going in my room. Or, I can start one in the living room if you’d rather talk here,” Bart said, searching Liv's eyes.

“Your room is fine. I don’t want you going through the trouble of making another fire,” Liv replied and wrapped her cloak around her body, trying to get warm.

“Come on,” he said and grabbed her hand, walking to the massive staircase that led to the bedrooms.

As they walked into his suite, Liv realized she’d never been in his bedroom. At least, not at this house.

“Wow, nice digs,” she commented as she walked across the room to sit in front of the fireplace.

Bart grabbed a throw from a nearby chaise and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Thanks. I haven’t had time to add any personal touches, but I like it here,” he admitted as he sat beside her on the plush area rug.

“So, how’s it going with the reelection,” Liv asked, staring at the fire.

“Did you come all this way to ask me about my job? Liv, I can see you’ve been crying. Talk to me,” he muttered and reached over to tuck a lock behind her ear.

“Bart, I’m such an idiot,” she blurted then fell into his arms, sobbing.

“You are the furthest thing from an idiot, TKO. I’m going to need a little more information, I’m afraid,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

“It’s Lawson,” she said with a sigh.

“Yeah, I kinda figured that. What happened? You two get into a fight?” he asked, and Liv heard the agitation in his voice. He didn’t like Lawson.

“I caught him with another woman.”

“What! Are you fucking kidding me? That sonovabitch,” he gritted, and Liv felt his body tense. “I’ll kill that piece of shit.”

Liv leaned back and met Bart’s gaze. His dark brown eyes blazed with anger. “Please don’t. The last thing I need is you going to jail,” she declared.

“What happened?”

“Before I go there, I need a drink. Please tell me that is fully stocked,” Liv muttered as she looked over to the wet bar along the wall.

“Yeah, I’ve got whatever you want. Rum? Vodka?” he offered as he got to his feet and walked across the room.

“Tequila, if you have it,” she answered as she reached inside the blanket to remove the cloak tied at her neck. If she was going to be here awhile, she might as well get comfortable. She tossed it aside and snuggled inside the fleece throw.

“Tequila it is,” he replied and picked up a bottle then reached into a small fridge and pulled out a few limes. He grabbed a knife and cutting board then proceeded to cut the limes and throw them in a small bowl. He grabbed a salt shaker, and a couple shot glasses before he walked back over and plopped beside her.

“Do you remember the last time we did shots?” he asked as he filled two shot glasses with the clear liquid. He held up the saltshaker, but Liv shook her head. She didn’t need anything but the liquor tonight.

Liv pondered his question for a minute then smiled. “Yeah, we were at that dive downtown. That band, what was the name?” she asked as she tried to recall.

“Bloody Sods!” they both said at the same time and started laughing.

“That was a night to remember,” she admitted then threw back her shot of tequila, enjoying the burn it provided. She held her glass out for a refill.

Bart poured, and she drank it before he had time to fill his glass. She shoved the glass towards him, wanting another. “Slow down, TKO, or you’ll be puking in my toilet like you did that night,” he stated.

“I don’t care. Give me another shot,” Liv demanded, and Bart looked at her a moment then poured another shot of liquor.

“Tell me what happened tonight,” he coaxed, setting the bottle down so that he could grab her hands.

“It was awful. My worst nightmare,” Liv confessed as emotion choked her throat.

“Are you sure you didn’t read something wrong?”

“No, Bart. I saw him fucking another woman. With my own two eyes. No mistaking anything. I still can’t believe he would do that to me. To us,” she admitted and reached over, grabbing the tequila bottle. She tilted her head back and drank deep.

Bart grabbed the bottle and took it out of her hand. “Stop, Liv. Drinking isn’t going to solve anything.”

Liv leaned against Bart’s chest as the alcohol began taking effect. She didn’t care if it wouldn’t solve anything. It was numbing her pain, and that was all that mattered. She didn’t want to feel anything.

“I want to forget,” she mumbled.

Bart rubbed her back, offering comfort. He was so good to her. Always there when she needed him. Never letting her down, unlike some people. Bart was the real deal. She was so incredibly lucky to have him in her life.

Liv nuzzled his neck, enjoying his masculine scent. It was so comfortable with Bart. He would never betray her the way Lawson did. She closed her eyes as her buzz relaxed her body. It felt so good. She slid her arms around Bart’s waist and relaxed. He leaned against the chaise, supporting their weight.

His bare flesh was warm and inviting, and Liv ran a hand across his muscled abdomen. He shuddered slightly but didn’t stop her. She opened her eyes, trailing her hand up and across his chest, and an image of Lawson flashed through her mind. He was making love to Kristi. Liv shook it off, focusing on Bart. She needed to forget about Lawson, and this was how she could do it.

Liv placed a kiss on Bart’s neck. She felt him tense, but he remained in place. She kissed his neck again, this time nibbling on his flesh.

“Liv, what are you doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked as she moved lower to place her mouth over his flat nipple. She kissed the flesh, feeling it harden against her lips.

“Liv, this is a bad idea. You’re drunk, upset, and not thinking clearly,” he groaned and grabbed her face between his palms, forcing her to look at him.

“I’m thinking clearer than ever before,” she whispered and brought her lips to his mouth.

At first, he didn’t respond. Liv continued to move her lips against his, licking at the seam. When she nibbled his lower lip, he groaned, and she delved inside, taking advantage. Her tongue stroked against his, and she felt his resolve slip away.

Bart broke the kiss and leaned back, searching her eyes. “Are you certain you want this? I don’t want you filled with regret tomorrow,” he stated, his thumbs caressing her cheek.

“I’m positive. I want you,” Liv demanded, then pushed him to his back, falling across his body. In the next moment, Liv felt Bart’s hand on her back, unzipping her dress.

Liv was determined to forget Lawson. As far as she was concerned, he was dead to her.