Forever Mine

Chapter 44

I hesitantly follow Ryan down the steps. He unlocks the back door and leads me out to the beach. My heart is practically beating out of my chest.

"So what's with the bandaged wrist?" He says as we begin to walk.

I instantly panic. I didn't want him know what had happened. He rolls his eyes.

"Liam told me. I know what you did Avery. That's why I'm here. To put you in your place. Liam won't because he's too afraid to hurt you. Well you're hurting him. How selfish are you? You would be leaving behind Liam. What about Emma and Ella? Don't you care about them? You were just going to kill your children too?" His words like venom.

He was guilt tripping me. He was shaming me. He was good at it. He was winning. I wanted to cry. I could feel the tears ready to pour out from my eyes. I couldn't cry in front of him. I wouldn't.

"Why'd you do it?" He looks straight into my eyes and stops walking.

It was any easy question. But a loaded one at the same time.

I nervously bite my lip. I didn't know what to say. It seemed anything I said was wrong.

"You know he loves you. He would do anything for you. You're lucky he found you when he did. He told me all of your silly little demands too. Do you really think he would leave the doors unlocked? He's not stupid you know. The amount of times you tried to leave. You can't be doing this when the babies are born. That's not fair to them just because you're unhappy. They have a great dad. Don't screw that up for them. You need to get it together Avery. This is your life now. You need to act like a Cohen. You're not going anywhere. You're Liam's." He spits.

His words were like nails on a chalkboard. He was an evil, cruel person. He was terrible. He didn't stop. I missed Liam in that moment. I wished he were here to save me. I needed him in this moment.

I couldn't even speak. I felt paralyzed. If Ryan was trying to instill fear in me, it worked.

"Don't even plan on telling Liam about this. I know you. You're going to run to Liam and cry about how terrible I am and that I was mean to you." He gives me a devious look.

"He should have done this a long time ago. You don't see Emma acting like this. Liam was too love sick to do anything. I'm tired of watching him hurt. So it's time you start acting like his wife. I promise you that I can and will make your fucking life a living hell if you even speak about this to Liam. Trust me Avery I have my ways. Do not cross my brother again. It will be the worst mistake you can make." His words cut through me.

I didn't know what he could do or how he would do it. But I believed him. Somehow he got Liam out of the picture so I know he can do it again. He won't hesitate, not if it's about his family. I won't dare tell a soul about what happened tonight. I felt sick to my stomach. If I wasn't absolutely terrified of Ryan already, I definitely am now.

I just had to be strong. Just a few more months until I was out for good. I could handle it. I had to be strong. Chase, my family all waiting for me. I had a wedding to get to. I could do this.

The walk back to the house was silent. I think Ryan knew his plan to scare me worked. He opened the door and practically shoved me back into the house. He looks at me with an evil face.

"Remember what I said." He wags his finger at me and looks at me with devilish eyes.

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. He locks the door behind me and continues to look at me dead in the eyes. He gets to the steps and turns around.

Just the two of us. Me and Liam. I had to act like his wife if I wanted to survive. The thought of that was tortuous.

I woke up the next morning absolutely paralyzed with fear. Liam wasn't in bed so I assumed he was still passed out downstairs. I began to feel queasy.

Morning sickness or fear? Or both? Who knows anymore. I run to the bathroom and get to the toilet just in time. Great what a perfect way to start the day. I brush my teeth and turn the shower on. I try my best to avoid getting the bandage wet but it's inevitable. After the shower I change into something comfortable and head to the bathroom to find some more gauze.

I unravel the wet gauze. The cuts have dried blood around them and are scabbing over. It was a painful sight to see.

"Need help?" Liam appears in the doorway of the bathroom.

I jump in surprise.

"Gosh you always do that."

He lets out a laugh.

"Sorry." He smiles.

"Let me help."

Without giving me time to answer he helps me place the new gauze on my wrist. There was no more bleeding, honestly it didn't have to be covered but I didn't want to look at them.

Things are silent for a bit until Liam speaks.

"So...I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't give you everything that you want. I'll try my best to give you what I can though." He gives me an honest smile.

It made me angry. I was still being kept prisoner. But I had to pretend. I had to keep myself afloat, safe. I needed to be his wife. Ryan's words buzz through my head.

"It's okay.. I understand." I lie.

Not wanting to talk about it anymore I change the subject.

"Did you sleep on the couch last night?"

Liam runs his hands through his hair like he does when he's nervous.

"Yeah. Just super tired."

He was lying. He didn't want to tell me Ryan had been there even though I knew.

"You hungry? I'm starved." He laughs.

He was trying to change the subject.

I guess we were both hiding things from each other.

Liam's pov:
After breakfast I call up Ryan. I needed to know what the hell happened last night. I couldn't remember anything. Avery was acting different too. She actually talked to me this morning. I thought we would be fighting. What alternate universe am I on?

"Dude what the hell happened last night?"
"We talked and had some drinks and you fell asleep. That was it."

"I just don't understand... I don't remember much. I just felt so tired. It was just so..... weird. I didn't drink that much... did I?"

"Dunno. You seemed fine to me. Probably just drank too much dude. Things alright. You seemed pretty distraught last night."

I let out a laugh. Well that's the funny thing. I expected Avery to be giving me the silent treatment or the stink eye but she was actually taking with me today. She was reserved but she wasn't mad. It's such a relief. I don't know what switched from last night to now but I'm glad that it did." I grin.

"That's great bro. I'm happy for you. Hey I gotta go though talk to you later."

With that he quickly hangs up.

Ryan's pov:
Oh Liam. So naive. That's what big brothers are for. Cohen men get what they want. Always. Avery just needed some redirecting. Things are finally start looking up for him. Or Avery will pay the price.

OH SHOOT. Ryan is evil lol. Do you think Liam will catch on?? What did y'all think!! Another chapter today 😊comment and vote!!❤️❤️