Erased vows

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I stood in my hotel room, Liam’s hand warm around mine, the threatening note still clenched in his other fist.

*You were warned*, it read.

The words felt like a cold blade against my spine. My phone lay facedown on the bed, hiding the earlier text tying my mom’s death to Liam. The sea roared outside, its endless crash mixing with the cicadas’ hum, but inside, it was just us, two people caught in a storm of secrets and half-remembered truths. His eyes, raw and searching, held mine, his words about my voice feeling like home still echoing in my chest. He’d promised to stay close, to keep me safe, and for now, that was enough to hold me together.

That night, I slept in his arms.

The next morning, the sun burned through the balcony doors, sharp and unforgiving. I barely slept, my mind spinning with the note, the text, and Liam’s nightmares about a faceless woman *me* I was sure, but couldn’t say.

We didn’t talk about it as we got ready for the day’s work.

Liam was back in CEO mode, all crisp suits and steady voice, but I caught the way his hand shook when he grabbed his coffee, the way his eyes flicked to me like he was checking I was still there.

The Grey Group’s expansion plan was the focus, a sprawling hotel complex, half-built, clinging to the cliffs like it was part of the earth. We spent the day touring the site, weaving through dusty construction zones and gleaming marble lobbies.

The Greek team led us, their voices loud over the clatter of tools, pointing out every detail. Curved staircases, glass walls that drank in the sea, gardens that smelled of rosemary and salt.

Liam was sharp as ever, asking questions, nodding at the right moments, his presence pulling everyone in. I stayed close, scribbling notes, handing him plans, my heart jumping every time his arm brushed mine.

By late afternoon, the tour wrapped up on a rooftop terrace, the sea stretching out like a blue fire below. The investors were there, sipping wine, their laughter mixing with the wind. One of them, a guy named Theo tall, tan, with a smile too smooth for his own good kept eyeing me. I’d noticed him at dinner last night, his gaze lingering too long, but I’d brushed it off. Now, as the group broke into smaller chats, he made his move.

“Anita, right?” he said, stepping close, his accent thick and warm. He held out a single red rose, its petals soft against my fingers as I took it, startled. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful woman.”

I blinked, heat creeping up my neck. “Uh, thanks,” I said, my voice awkward. The rose smelled sweet, but it felt heavy, like it carried more than he was saying.

“There’s a little place in town tonight,” he went on, his smile widening. “Live music, good wine. I’d love to take you. Say, eight o’clock?” He slipped a small card into my hand, an invitation, handwritten, with the name of a restaurant and a time.

I froze, the card burning my palm. My eyes darted to Liam, standing a few feet away, talking to the site manager. His back was to me, but his shoulders were stiff, like he could feel Theo’s words. “I… I’ll think about it,” I mumbled, tucking the card into my pocket. Theo grinned, like he thought he’d won, and wandered back to the group.

Liam turned then, his eyes locking on mine, sharp and unreadable. My stomach twisted. I didn’t want to go with Theo, not really, but the rose, the invite it was a flicker of something normal, something that wasn’t tied to secrets or threats. Still, Liam’s gaze made my heart race, like he was pulling me back to him without a word.

Back at the hotel, I was in my room, changing out of my work clothes, the rose sitting on the dresser like a question I didn’t want to answer. The card was in my hand when Liam knocked; sharp, urgent, like he couldn’t wait. I opened the door, and there he was, still in his suit but tie gone, his hair a little messy, his eyes stormy.

“You’re not going,” he said, not a question, his voice hard.

I blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“With that guy. Theo.” He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. “I saw him give you the flower, the card. You’re not going on that date.”

My mouth dropped open, heat rising in my chest. “Excuse me? You don’t get to decide that, Liam.”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing a step. “It’s not safe, Nita. You got that note last night, that text. Someone’s watching you, and you want to go out with some random investor? No way.”

I crossed my arms, the card crumpling in my fist. “That’s a weak excuse, and you know it. What’s this really about?” My voice was sharp, but my heart was pounding, because I could see it; the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes burned when he looked at me. It wasn’t just about the threat.

He stopped pacing, his gaze pinning me in place. “Fine,” he said, voice low, almost a growl. “I don’t want you going with him. I don’t want you with anyone else.” He took a step closer, close enough I could feel the heat of him. “I can’t explain it, Nita. I don’t know why, but the thought of you with him… It’s like a knife in my gut.”

He paused, then continued “Since that night I heard you moan my name, I can’t bear the thought of you moaning someone else's name like that…”

My breath caught, the air between us electric.

“Liam,” I whispered, my voice shaking, “who do you take me for? A slut that goes around opening her legs for anyone?”

“Nita…. I didn’t say so,” he defended, taking a step forward.

“Wait! I am not done,” I spat.

“You don’t know me, but you’re acting like…” I stopped, afraid to say it, afraid to name the jealousy burning in his eyes.

“Like what?” he pressed, his voice softer now, but no less intense. “Like I can’t stand the idea of losing you? Because that’s how it feels, even if I don’t know why.” He reached out, his hand brushing my arm, sending a jolt through me. “Forget Theo. Come out with me instead. Let me show you Greece.”

I stared at him, my heart tripping over itself. The card slipped from my hand, fluttering to the floor. “Okay,” I said, barely a whisper. “Let’s go.”

He will always have that hold on me.

I can’t stay mad at him.