Chapter 79 The safe house
Chapter 79: The Safe House (Elena’s POV)
The apartment Liam took me to was small and smelled like old books and cleaning spray. It wasn't luxury like Julian’s place, and it wasn't a basement like the Vance mansion. It was just a normal apartment.
Liam set my bag down on a wooden table and immediately went to the bathroom. He came out a second later with a thick, dry towel.
"Dry your hair, Elena. You're going to get a fever," he said. He didn't try to touch me. He just held the towel out.
I took it and started rubbing my hair. My hands were still shaking. The adrenaline from Julian throwing me out was starting to wear off, leaving me feeling hollow and exhausted. I sat on the edge of the small sofa, my leg throbbing in rhythm with my heartbeat.
"I’ll make some tea," Liam said. He walked into the tiny kitchen and started moving things around.
I watched him. He looked out of place here. Liam Vance belonged in high-end gyms and expensive cars, not in a cramped kitchen trying to figure out how to turn on a basic electric kettle.
"Why are you doing this, Liam?" I asked. My voice sounded raspy.
He stopped, his back to me. "I told you. I couldn't leave you on that bench."
"But you could have just called me a cab. You could have dropped me at a cheap motel. Why bring me here? Is this another game? Is Maya going to walk through that door next?"
Liam turned around. He looked tired. There were dark circles under his eyes that I hadn't noticed at the quarry. "Maya isn't coming here. I don't want anything to do with her. And it's not a game, Elena. I just... I needed to know you were safe."
The kettle started to whistle. He poured the water into two mugs and brought one over to me. As he handed it to me, our fingers brushed. It was a small contact, but it felt like a spark of electricity. I quickly pulled my hand back, nearly spilling the hot tea.
"Don't," I said, my voice hardening.
"Don't what?"
"Don't try to do that. The soft eyes, the gentle touching, the hero act. I’ve seen this movie before, Liam. Julian played the hero for a week, and then he tried to force me into his bed because he felt like he 'owned' me. Is that what this is? You save me from the rain, and tomorrow you expect me to pay you back with my body?"
Liam looked like I had slapped him. He set his own mug down on the coffee table and took a step back, putting space between us.
"Is that what you think of me?" he asked quietly.
"Why shouldn't I? Every guy in Northview treats girls like trophies or toys. Jax, Julian... and you. You were the king of them all, remember? You let your friends treat me like trash while I lived in your basement."
"I know I messed up," Liam said. He sat in a wooden chair across from me, his hands clasped between his knees. "I can't change what happened with Jax. And I can't change the fact that I was a coward. But I am not Julian. I would never force you to do anything, Elena. Ever."
"Words are cheap," I said. I took a sip of the tea. it was warm and felt good against my scratchy throat, but I didn't let my guard down. "I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll find a shelter or a cheap room near the hospital. I just need a roof for tonight."
"You don't have to leave," Liam said quickly. "You can stay here. I won't even be here if it makes you uncomfortable. I can sleep at the gym or in my car."
"No. I don't want to owe you anything else. I’m done being a 'project' for rich boys who are bored with their perfect lives."
Liam stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the rain. "It’s not about being bored. When I saw you on that bench... I felt like I couldn't breathe. I realized that if something happened to you, nothing else would matter. Not the hockey team, not my father’s money, nothing."
He turned back to me. The light from the small lamp made his eyes look intense. "I love you, Elena. I know you don't believe me. I know I haven't earned the right to say it. But it's the truth."
He started to walk toward me, and for a second, the air in the room felt thick. My heart started racing, and it wasn't from fear. It was that old feeling—the one I had in the library before everything went wrong. He stopped right in front of the sofa. He reached out, his hand hovering near my face, like he wanted to tuck a stray hair behind my ear.
I felt myself leaning in for a split second, drawn to the warmth, but then I remembered the quarry. I remembered him and Maya.
I pushed his hand away and stood up, using my cane to keep my balance.
"I told you to stop," I snapped. "Don't take advantage of me being tired and homeless to try and get what Julian couldn't. I’m not a prize, Liam. And I’m definitely not yours."
Liam dropped his hand. He looked hurt, but he nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'll get you some blankets for the sofa."
He went to a closet and pulled out a clean pillow and a thick quilt. He laid them out on the sofa with practiced movements.
"There’s food in the fridge," he said, walking toward the door. "The spare key is on the hook by the door. Lock it behind me."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To my car," he said. "Like you said, you're leaving tomorrow. I want you to get some sleep without worrying about who's in the next room."
He grabbed his wet hoodie and headed for the door. He paused with his hand on the knob. "Elena?"
"What?"
"I really did find Julian’s car by accident tonight. I wasn't stalking you. I was just... I was just hoping I’d see you one last time to say sorry properly. I didn't expect him to throw you out."
"Goodnight, Liam," I said, turning my back to him.
I heard the door open and close. I heard the click of the lock.
I was finally alone. I collapsed onto the sofa and pulled the quilt up to my chin. It smelled like him—laundry detergent and that expensive cologne he always wore. I wanted to hate the smell, but instead, I found myself burying my face in the fabric.
I was safe. For tonight, at least. But tomorrow, the real world was waiting. I had to find my mom. I had to find a way to pay Julian back so he wouldn't hurt her.
I closed my eyes, but sleep was far away. Every time I drifted off, I saw Julian’s face when he pushed me, and then I saw Liam’s face when he found me.