Chapter 64 – Kidnapped by My Mate Series II: His Lost Queen

Filed To Story: Kidnapped by My Mate Novel (Belle & Grayson) Online Free by Annie Whipple

I nodded once.

“Shit,” Liam said, running a hand through his wet, curly hair in frustration. His eyelashes and skin were sprinkled with drops of rain. He was becoming completely drenched.

“So…you got nowhere to stay tonight, then? And before you respond, I want you to know that there’s no judgment from me.

“I don’t know your situation—I can just make assumptions based on the information you’ve presented me with.

“You’re sitting outside the only place you could stay for the night, your suitcase next to you, crying in the rain by yourself…”

He shrugged. “I’m genuinely not trying to offend you. I just want to make sure that you have somewhere warm to sleep tonight.”

“I have somewhere to stay,” I said firmly.

I knew deep down that Liam meant well. He was trying to help me, but I truly didn’t want it. I didn’t trust him or his charming smile.

I wanted this conversation to be over so that I could go back to being miserable alone.

Liam licked his lips. “Do you mind if I ask where? I could give you a ride.”

“That’s okay,” I replied quickly. “I’ll be fine.”

Liam nodded, seemingly accepting my answer. I thought that he would leave me alone. But then Liam sat his butt down on the wet grass right in front of me. He looked at me expectantly.

“What are you doing?” I asked after an awkward moment of silence passed.

Liam shrugged. “Waiting.”

“For…?”

“I’m waiting until I know you have somewhere safe to sleep tonight,” he replied nonchalantly.

“It sounds like you’re not comfortable sharing that information with me just yet.

Usually, I would respect your wishes and leave you be.

“However, I sort of feel as though it is my moral obligation to make sure you don’t end up alone, sitting out in the freezing rain all night, in a strange town where you know no one.

“So I’m gonna sit here until you tell me where you plan on sleeping tonight.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “And if I refuse to tell you?”

Liam leaned back on the palms of his hands and stuck his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “Then I guess we’ll both be out here all night.”

I didn’t know how to answer. My stubborn side was coming out, reminding me of the promise I had made to myself before I came here. I was done putting my well-being in the hands of others.

So instead of answering, I ignored him and set my forehead back down on my knees. I would just wait him out. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to be.

A few minutes passed, and I found my mind wandering, thinking about my other options. I could get back on a bus and try to get some sleep while it took me somewhere else.

At least I wouldn’t be in the rain then. Or I could just start walking and hope I found a bridge or something.

“You know…,” Liam said, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I have an extra bed back at my apartment. You could stay there for the night. It would be no problem.”

“No, thank you,” I replied, not even looking up at him. “I don’t stay over at strangers’ houses.”

Liam scoffed. “You afraid I’m going to murder you or something? Do I look like a serial killer to you?”

I glanced up at him. He didn’t look like a serial killer. But then again, neither did Ted Bundy until he killed upward of twenty girls.

“I’m not staying at your place. I barely know you. I’m not dumb.”

“I never said you were dumb.” Liam frowned. “Look, it would be much better than sleeping out here.”

I didn’t reply.

“I’ll ask my sister to sleep over if that would make you feel better. Then you won’t be alone with me. She passed out in my car on the way back to her place. I was going to drop her off at her apartment, but—”

“I appreciate your offer,” I said, cutting him off, “but I promise you I’m fine. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

Liam studied me for a long while. My jaw clenched. “What now?” I snapped.

“It’s just that… You’ve been through some shit,” he responded. It wasn’t a question.

His kind, non-judgmental tone made me wish I could sink into the brick wall behind me.

“It’s pretty obvious. You’re closed off because someone hurt you. And you’re stubborn as hell. I can see how those two things would create a major issue with trusting people.

“You want to do things on your own, prove you can take care of yourself without anyone’s help. I get that. I’ve been there too.

“But you should know that part of taking care of yourself is accepting help when you need it.”

I tried to ignore the sense in his words. It was an extremely difficult thing to do.

I kept my gaze on my hands while I swallowed down some tears.

“I promised myself I would be more independent when I got away,” I finally whispered.

Liam stood, offering his hand to me. “C’mon. You can be independent from my place.”

When I continued to hesitate, Liam rolled his eyes and forcefully grabbed my arm.

Before I knew what was happening, I was being tugged to my feet, stumbling forward.

“There’s no shame in accepting help,” Liam reminded me as I regained my balance and glared up at him. My world spun briefly, reminding me that I still hadn’t eaten yet today.

Before I could protest, he grabbed my suitcase in one hand and slung my backpack over his shoulder. “Especially when that someone has good intentions and is extremely good-looking.”

He winked before walking away with my things.

I raced after him, quickly swiping my suitcase from his hands and pulling my backpack away from him.

“Don’t touch my things,” I told him with a scowl. “And don’t get any ideas. Just because I’m staying at your house for the night doesn’t mean anything is happening between us. Keep it in your pants, buddy.”

Liam laughed and raised his hands in surrender as I continued to follow him to where I assumed his car was located.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve finally accepted my invitation,” he said with a charming smile I’m sure would normally make girls swoon.

“And I have no expectations for tonight.” He leaned down, so his mouth was near my ear, his breath fanning my hair. “Do you?”

My stomach churned. An image of Grayson’s face flashed through my mind, and the pain in my neck worsened, burning as though someone had just put a scalding hot iron to my skin.

I gasped and grabbed Grayson’s mark. I stumbled away from Liam, hoping space between us would lessen the terrible pain.

Was this how it would be every time a boy hit on me? I would think of Grayson and be consumed with pain?

Liam’s steps faltered. “Hey, are you okay?” All the humor was gone from his tone.

“What’s that on your neck?”

Forcing myself to regain composure, I slowly straightened and adjusted the collar of my shirt so that Grayson’s mark was no longer visible. I swallowed. “It’s nothing.

Don’t worry about it.”

My words came out harsher than I had meant, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel guilty. It was none of his business.

Thankfully, Liam didn’t ask any more questions. We approached his car—which was parked just down the street—in awkward silence.

After putting my stuff in his trunk, Liam opened the door for me, motioning for me to get in. I looked inside, hesitating. His sister, Laila, was fast asleep in the passenger seat.

I glanced back at Liam.

He smiled. “She’s a deep sleeper. Don’t worry.” He motioned for me to get in once more before walking around the front of the truck to the driver’s side and sliding in.

When I still didn’t move, he turned and raised a brow at me.

Trying not to think about it too hard, I got in and shut the door.

BELLE

Liam had shaken Laila awake after we had pulled into the parking garage of his apartment building. She was confused but didn’t argue when Liam asked her to stay the night on my account.

She was so tired that when we made our way into his apartment, she immediately plopped down on the living room couch and fell back asleep.

I walked through his apartment in awe. “You live here alone?” I asked.

His place was nice—very nice. It was huge, with a full kitchen and a large living room and dining room.

To my left was a long hallway that I assumed led to multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. I couldn’t help but notice this did not look like the home of a twenty-something-year-old.

It was too neat, too mature, and way too big for one person. It also didn’t evade my attention that Liam had pressed the button for the top floor when we were in the elevator.

He lived in the penthouse, his living room facing out over an incredible ocean view.

Liam sighed. “I know. It makes me look like a rich asshole.”

“No! No, that’s not what I meant,” I rambled out quickly, pulling my eyes from the incredible view to meet his gaze. “It’s just…” I looked around again. “It’s kind of—”

“Big. And fancy,” Liam finished for me. I was surprised to see a frown on his lips as he also examined his apartment. “I didn’t pick it. My dad got me this apartment for my eighteenth birthday.”

That made me pause. Exactly how much money did this dude’s family have?

“Wow. Eighteen,” I mumbled. “Isn’t that kind of a slap in the face? ‘Happy birthday, son. Move out.’”

Liam tried to smile; it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Eighteen wasn’t soon enough if you ask me. I would have gotten out of his house years before if I could have.”

I suddenly felt bad for having brought the subject up. There were obviously some touchy feelings surrounding Liam and his dad.

Trying to move the attention to something else, I said, “Well, where do you want me? I would sleep on the couch, but it looks like it’s already occupied.”

I smiled at Laila, who was drooling all over Liam’s nice leather sectional.

“I have a guest room that you can stay in. Follow me,” Liam replied.

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