Love, Lies, and Other Ties

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to KearaBoo. Her "Relationship with my Brother's Best Friend" series is so good so check it out!

A/N: translations will be in parenthesis.

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Carter's POV:

Being in Liam's room is weird. Firstly, he's a boy, and secondly, he's a boy I have grown to care about. I'm surprised that he agreed so quickly to staying in the bed with me. I hate waking up in unfamiliar areas. I have a fear of really dark places and unfamiliar ones since Trevor has been known to lock me in our very tiny basement after I had passed out from exhaustion so when I woke up, I was scared because I had no idea where I was.

Liam came back with all of my belongings and sat on his bed as I went into his bathroom, but I paused and looked at him, "is it okay if I used your bathroom and take a quick shower?"

"Of course, Carter. You can use anything you find, and I want you to make yourself at home. Mi casa es tu casa," he said as he walked over to me. (My house is your house.)

"You know Spanish?" I asked with wide, surprised eyes.

"Yeah, I can speak English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese fluently. I also know a little bit of Latin and German," he said proudly as he moved a strand of my hair behind my ear. I just blinked blankly at him because at this moment, I couldn't understand a word he just said. Who has the time to learn all of those languages? Not me.

"Wow, that's incredible," I gave a small smile.

"Some other time I will let you hear the others but right now it's late and you look exhausted. Get your cute little ass in there and get ready for bed," he said with a wink and gave me a gentle nudge towards the bathroom.

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Stepping out of the shower was like stepping out in the fresh cool air and made me feel like a new person. I brushed my teeth, took my medicine, which was my birth control and anti-anxiety meds, and went to wash my face but I caught a glimpse in the mirror and all I could do was stare. The girl in front of me was lifeless with dull eyes, bruises all over, cuts in random areas and ratty brown hair. I was hideous. I was startled by a knock on the door and made a small squeak.

"Carter? Are you okay? I thought I could hear you crying." I looked in the mirror and that is when I noticed that I was, in fact, crying. I cry so often that I didn't even notice. "Carter, I'm coming in," before I could even lock the door, it was opening, and a worried Liam appeared. I quickly wiped my face, but he had already saw.

    "Are you okay?" he asked. I looked down to the floor and didn't make any move to explain. He came closer and gently raised my head then boosted me up on the counter. He stood between my legs and his fingers gently traced the bruises on my face as he gave me a sad smile. "I know what you said happened was a lie, but I will wait for you to tell me the truth when you're ready."

I wanted to cry all over again. He was so sweet. I just nodded my head and looked back down. He tilted my head back up and looked at me with, what seemed like, all the love in his body. He wiped the tear tracks that I had on my cheeks and kissed each one, which had me blushing.

He led me out of the bathroom and over to the bed and helped me under the covers. He walked to the other side and also got under the covers then pulled me over to him. He placed my head on his chest and ran his fingers through my hair. The gentle action had my eyes fluttering closed until I heard him speak again.

"Carter, are you still awake?"

"Yes," I said. When he didn't say anything, I looked up at him while setting my chin on his chest, "do I need to move over or anything?"

"NO! I mean, no. I just wanted to ask you something," he paused, and I saw him swallow hard and then blow out a breath, "would you go on a date with me tomorrow night?"

His question made me bolt upright. He started second guessing himself, so I answered right away, "YES."

"Wait, really? You don't have to, but I just really like you and would love to take you out..." I put my hand over his mouth to stop him from ranting and let out a giggle.

"I would love to. I really like you, too," I told him with a bright smile and giggle.

"Thank god," he said and pulled me back down to his chest. He kissed my head and said, "Night, Car."

Why did that sound familiar?

Liam's POV:

I am a nervous wreck and have no idea why. I'm lying in bed with Carter in the same place she was when we fell asleep last night. I feel like I am overthinking this damn date, but I have no clue what to do with her tonight. I don't want to do something cliche, but I want  her to have a good time.

It about broke me when I heard her crying in the bathroom after her shower. I don't even think she realized she had been crying because when I opened the door, I saw her looking in the mirror with confusion. She won't tell me what happened, but I am sure it's because she is scared. A lot of times when people who are abused are around others, they tend to not trust very well. She makes unconscious flinches around men and when her father is mentioned.

I am almost positive that it is her father that is doing this to her, but I have no proof until I either see it or she tells me. I'm sure that she will tell me long before I ever see it happening. Abusers are smart and will only abuse their victims when they're alone or in another area away from others.

Carter starts to stir awake and I just lay still. She yawns and stretches before opening her beautiful eyes to look up at me. "Hey. How long have you been awake?"

"About two hours or so. Are you excited for tonight?"

"Yes! What are we doing and how do I need to dress? Oh, no! I only brought leggings and a sweatshirt!" I just laughed.

"Baby, you will be fine in whatever you wear, but if you aren't comfortable in that, I am sure Kay will have something you want to wear." She then bolted off the bed and took off into the bathroom and shut the door. I was so confused. I got up and walked to the door and knocked, "Uh...Carter? You okay?"

The door busted open and she was standing there in her leggings and sweatshirt with a bright smile on her face. "Yes! I'm fine but I need to go talk to Kay. Is that alright?"

"Sure, Babygirl. The boys and I have to meet with my father here in a few minutes so that will give you plenty of time to talk to Kay. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you. What is your meeting about?" I tensed up at her question. I always knew I would have to tell her about the family, but I never thought about how I would tell her. I need to talk to my dad first because he is the only one to approve of me telling her about the mafia since he is the leader right now.

"We just need to sit down and figure some things out about our business since we all help with them." It wasn't a complete lie. We do have multiple businesses that we help with alongside our mafia duties. I'm not sure she would stick around when she found out what we are a part of. We aren't as bad as what you read in books. Yes, we do smuggle weapons and drugs, we do kill but only when necessary and torture is a rarity for us. We are trying to build a better generation of mafiosos. Violence isn't always necessary.

"Okay, well I am going to go find Kay and start preparing for my first date...I mean, our first date." She gave me a sweet smile then headed out the door in search of Kay. 'God, I hope this date goes well,' was my last thought before heading to my dad's office.

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A/N: Instead of a question on this chapter, give a shoutout to your favorite authors and/or books by tagging them in the comments. Show your support!!

Things are going to start speeding up a little bit!