Chapter 63 – Kidnapped by My Mate Series II: His Lost Queen

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

“We have places to be and a very angry dad to deal with. And guess what? You better believe I’m blaming this whole fiasco on you.

“You’re gonna have to listen to Dad give you a lecture on the importance of time management for the whole meal, and you’re not gonna get any sympathy from me because this one is all on you, bud.

“We would have been on time if you hadn’t spent forever looking at yourself in the mirror before we left.

“And then you prove, yet again, that you are only capable of thinking with your penis and have to stop to talk to the pretty new girl in town even though you know we weren’t even supposed to be talking to her in the first place.

“So I suggest you get your ass in gear and drive the fucking car before I push you out onto the street and leave without you!”

Laila’s breathing was hard, and her cheeks were tinged with red. Liam, however, looked bored with her rant.

It was becoming clear that this sort of bickering was a regular occurrence between the two of them.

He stared at her for a few seconds. “You done?” he asked.

Laila’s jaw clenched, her entire form stiff with anger.

Liam looked back at me and smiled casually. “You know, I think there are some people out there who could really take advantage of therapy. Or anger management.”

He glared back at Laila, who gave him a look of disbelief, throwing her arms up in defeat.

She leaned back in her seat. “I give up. Do whatever you want.”

Liam turned to me again. “I’m not gonna lie to you, new girl. I don’t feel great about leaving you out here on your own with no way to call for help if you need it.”

I looked around us. There weren’t many people on the streets now that it was getting dark, but those who were still out and about seemed like the least threatening people in the world.

It was mostly just families and happy-looking couples. I raised a brow. “Is your town known for its crime or something? I’m not really getting that vibe.”

“You’d be surprised, actually,” he said. I couldn’t help but notice the way a muscle jumped in his jaw. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

I immediately nodded, confused as to why so many people seemed to care what was going on with me. Where I came from, and I think in most cases, people minded their own business. “Yeah. I’m good.”

He eyed my suitcase and dirty clothes. “All right, well, on the off-chance that your plans fall through, there’s a bed and breakfast around the corner that usually has vacancies.

“Tell them Liam Blackwood sent you, and they should be able to set you up for the night.”

My chest filled with hope at his words. “Really?” Then, realizing I had basically just given myself up as a liar with no place to stay, I quickly continued. “I mean, uh, thanks, but I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out some sort of wrapper, writing something down on it with a pen he had in his car. He handed it to me.

“There should also be a phone there that you could use. Call me if you run into any trouble.”

I looked down at the phone number in my hands. I was starting to have déjà vu, reminded of the interaction I had had with Loretta this morning.

I tried giving Liam a smile, stashing the number in my pocket. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Liam didn’t look so convinced. In fact, he looked more concerned than he had before. After a few more seconds, however, his gaze moved from me to the watch on his wrist.

“Hmm, you know what?” he said, pressing his tongue into the inside of his cheek. “I think we’re going to be late for dinner. Laila, why didn’t you say anything?”

He shook his head, looking back at me with a feigned, exasperated expression. “I have to do everything around here. It was nice meeting ya, new girl.” He put the car into drive.

“Uh, yeah, you too,” I replied.

As they drove away, I watched as Laila’s silhouette through the back window of his car continuously smacked Liam on the head with more aggression than I would have expected from someone so small.

I had to hold back a laugh. I could still hear them yelling at each other as their car drove out of view.

BELLE

“Nine hundred dollars?” I demanded. “For one night?”

The smiling lady behind the counter of the bed and breakfast that Liam had recommended to me nodded. “This is a very nice establishment.”

It was also the only place with any vacancy in this godforsaken town. It was just great that it cost an arm and a leg to sleep here.

“Are the sheets threaded with gold or something?” I asked.

The woman’s kind expression turned harsh in a matter of seconds.

“No,” she snapped back. “But each room has two king-size beds, views of the ocean, a personal jacuzzi, access to the beach, and a complimentary breakfast every morning.”

“Is there any sort of exception that can be made? Can I make a tab and pay you back when I have the money?”

I hated the idea of owing anyone, but I had no other choice. “Please, I have nowhere else to stay.”

“Afraid not, dear,” the woman responded, her tone feigning sympathy. I watched her study my appearance with distaste, stopping at my bruised cheek and then at my stained clothes.

Her nose even scrunched up. “There’s a motel about an hour’s drive from here that’s a bit cheaper if you’d like to try your luck there.”

That would be great if I had any way of getting there. When I told her as much, she just shrugged and turned away, obviously done with the conversation. I sighed.

“Would it make any difference if I said Liam Blackwood sent me?”

That got the woman’s attention. She turned back to me, surprise painted on her face. “Liam Blackwood? He told you to come here?”

I nodded.

“One second. Let me make a phone call.”

The woman disappeared behind a door that must have led to an office. She returned a minute or two later, her lips pursed.

“I’m sorry, the owner does not think it would be a good idea for you to stay here despite your connection to his son.”

It suddenly made sense. Blackwood’s Bed and Breakfast.  Blackwood—as in Liam Blackwood. Liam’s family owned the place.

“Now, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the woman continued.

I bit my lip, feeling my chest tighten and my unwanted tears. I gave the woman one more pleading look, which was only met with a scowl that told me, under no circumstances, was she going to budge.

Having no other choice, I turned on my heel and trudged out of the bed and breakfast.

Once outside, a fresh and unexpected wave of pain hit me like a ton of bricks. I immediately dropped my suitcase and backpack, doubling over and gritting my teeth to hold back a scream.

This was the worst it had ever gotten.

The pain lasted about a minute. I could feel Grayson’s presence in my head, pushing at my consciousness, trying to break into my mind so that he could no doubt torment me some more.

I cried out when he pushed again, almost breaking down my walls. Why was he doing this? Why did he push to stay connected to me?

Was he really that cruel? So cruel that he would deliberately cause me more pain after rejecting me and putting me through hell?

If he thought I was going to let him take any part of my life after all he had done, he had another thing coming.

I just wanted him to leave me alone. Why wouldn’t he do that?

Eventually, I was able to grab my things and stumble over to the side of the bed and breakfast. I leaned against the building, slowly slipping down the wall until my butt met the grass.

I sucked in deep, calming breaths, shutting my eyes tightly and willing myself not to cry. It didn’t work. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, it started to rain. I looked up, groaning loudly. Of course… Just my luck.

Not knowing what else to do, I brought my legs up to my chest and stuffed my face into my bony knee, letting my crying overtake my body.

“Hey, new girl!” a familiar voice abruptly yelled. I jumped, my head flying up.

“What are you doing out in the rain?”

Liam. Liam, the boy from earlier, was approaching me, his hand raised over his eyes to protect them from the rain.

I wanted to scream at him to leave me alone. I didn’t want him to see me like this, and I definitely didn’t want the help I knew he would try to offer.

But I just couldn’t seem to make my mouth work. I couldn’t form the words.

Liam paused when he got closer, clearly seeing my pained expression and tears. His face softened.

“Hey,” he said gently. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, fixing my wet hair. “I’m fine,” I whispered. I hated how broken my voice sounded.

Liam didn’t say anything for a few seconds. I could practically feel the pity rolling off of him.

The pain in my head was finally starting to lessen. I sighed deeply.

“I’m really fine,” I repeated. “You can go. Get out of the rain.”

Liam stuffed his hands in his pockets, never taking his eyes off me. “Can I give you a ride somewhere? I’d rather not leave you out here by yourself.”

I shook my head. “I’m waiting for someone to pick me up,” I lied. “She’ll be here any minute now.”

“Oh, okay. Do you mind if I ask who she is?”

I shut my eyes, not wanting to do this right now. “A childhood friend,” I replied without thinking. “Sarah.”

“Oh, Sarah,” Liam said, nodding. “Sarah who? Sarah Martin? Sarah Paige? Sarah Lewis?”

I had to hold back a groan. Stupid small towns where everybody knows each other.

“Sarah Lewis,” I replied curtly.

Liam’s brows rose in amusement. “Your childhood best friend is a 95-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s?”

Shit.

“Oh. I, uh…”

Without saying another word, Liam crouched down in front of me. There was a moment of silence. “So the bed and breakfast didn’t work out, huh?”

I was suddenly very glad that it was dark out. If not, I’m sure Liam would be witnessing my face turn as red as a tomato. I shook my head silently.

“Did you try telling them I sent you?”

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