Chapter 5 Trust and Betrayal

"Get down!" Liam's voice cut through the dark like a gunshot.

I barely had time to react before a loud bang shattered the silence.

The window exploded, glass raining down around us.

I screamed, dropping to the floor.

Liam pulled me close, his body tense and protective.

"Stay with me," he growled, eyes scanning the room.

I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek.

Faster. Harder.

My hands trembled, clutching his shirt.

"Who is it?" I whispered, voice shaking.

He didn't answer.

Another crash.

The door slammed open.

Footsteps.

Liam stood, blocking me.

"Go to the bedroom. Lock the door."

I obeyed, heart pounding like a drum.

I heard Liam's voice, sharp and cold.

"Leave now, or you won't leave at all."

Silence.

Then heavy footsteps retreated.

I locked the door, breathing hard.

Tears burned my eyes.

I was weak. Scared.

But Liam... Liam was strong.

When he came in, his eyes softened.

He pulled me into his arms.

"You're safe," he promised.

But I wasn't sure.

Safe felt like a lie.

---

Later, in the quiet, I looked at him.

"Why are you doing this for me?" I asked.

His lips curled in a small, rare smile.

"Because I don't want to lose you."

I wanted to believe him.

But the past, the danger, the secrets-they weighed on me.

I touched his cheek.

"You don't have to protect me."

He shook his head.

"I want to."

Then he kissed me.

Slow. Possessive.

I melted into him, but the fear stayed.

---

The next day, Liam took me to the office.

He looked serious, almost angry.

"We need to talk."

I nodded, my throat tight.

He sat across from me, fingers steepled.

"This isn't just about your past," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone close to you is working against us."

My heart stopped.

"Who?"

He leaned in, voice low.

"I don't know yet."

I looked down, feeling small.

"I can't lose you, Amara."

I swallowed, tears threatening.

"I'm scared, Liam."

He reached across the table, holding my hand.

"We'll face this together."

---

That night, we fought.

Not with words, but with silence.

I wanted to trust him, but the pain inside me was too much.

"I'm not good enough," I whispered.

He shook his head.

"Don't say that."

But I did.

"I'm broken."

Liam's eyes darkened.

"You're mine."

The words were soft but heavy.

I didn't know if I wanted to run or stay.

---

Days later, I found a letter slipped under my door.

No name.

No signature.

Just one line:

*"You'll regret trusting him."*

My hands shook.

I looked at Liam.

He saw it.

His face changed.

"Who's playing games with you?" he demanded.

I had no answer.

---

One night, I woke to find Liam gone.

My phone buzzed.

A text from an unknown number:

*"Meet me if you want answers."*

I stared at the screen, heart racing.

Should I go?

Could I trust him?

The room felt colder.

I was alone.

---

I grabbed my coat and stepped out into the night.

The city lights blurred around me.

I didn't know who to trust.

But I had to try.

---

Then, a voice behind me.

"Going somewhere, Amara?"

I spun around.

There he was.

The man from my past.

Smiling.

Cold.

Deadly.

"Why are you following me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He stepped closer, his eyes sharp.

"You don't get to run from me, Amara."

My throat tightened.

I took a shaky step back.

"Please, just leave me alone."

He laughed, low and cruel.

"You're mine, whether you want to be or not."

I wanted to scream.

To fight.

But my legs felt weak.

Liam's voice cut through the night.

"Stay away from her."

I turned to see Liam standing behind me, his jaw tight.

His presence made my heart skip.

He was strong, dangerous, protective.

The man from my past sneered.

"Looks like you've found a new toy."

Liam's eyes flashed with anger.

"Touch her, and you'll regret it."

The man laughed again.

"Is that a threat?"

Liam didn't answer.

Instead, he stepped forward, ready to fight.

I felt trapped between two storms.

"Liam, wait!" I cried.

But he ignored me.

The two men circled, tension thick in the air.

I backed away slowly, fear clawing at my chest.

"Stop this," I begged.

Neither listened.

Suddenly, Liam lunged.

The other man dodged and pushed Liam hard.

I gasped as Liam stumbled.

Then he turned, eyes blazing.

"Get out of here," he shouted at me.

"No," I said firmly.

He shook his head.

"I'm telling you to run."

"I'm not leaving you."

Liam's anger softened, just a little.

"I don't want to lose you."

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I'm scared."

He pulled me close.

"I'm here."

That night, Liam held me until I stopped shaking.

We didn't speak much.

No words could fix what happened.

But in the silence, I felt something fragile growing.

Trust? Maybe.

Or just need.

The next days were worse.

The threats grew.

Messages. Phone calls. Strange people watching.

I barely left the house.

Liam was always there, like a shadow.

Sometimes, I hated it.

I wanted to be free.

But I was too tired to fight.

One evening, Liam was gone when I woke.

A note lay on the table:

"Meet me at the old pier. Alone."

My heart sank.

Should I go?

Was it a trap?

I felt so weak.

But I needed answers.

I dressed quickly and left.

The pier was dark, cold, and empty.

The waves crashed against the shore.

I waited, every sound making me jump.

Suddenly, a figure appeared.

It was him.

The man from my past.

He smiled.

"Finally," he said.

"Why did you run, Amara?"

I swallowed.

"I wasn't ready."

He laughed.

"You can't hide forever."

"Why are you doing this?"

He stepped closer.

"Because you're mine. Always have been."

I shook my head.

"No."

Behind me, a shadow moved.

Liam stepped forward.

"Stay away from her."

The man smirked.

"This isn't over."

Suddenly, he pulled out a small device and pressed a button.

A loud explosion shook the pier.

I screamed.

Liam grabbed me, shielding me from the blast.

Debris flew everywhere.

When the smoke cleared, the man was gone.

I looked at Liam, heart pounding.

"We have to leave. Now."

He nodded.

But as we ran, I knew one thing for sure:

This was only the beginning.