Saving Anne [Complete]

Chapter Fourteen (Unedited)

“Hey, Liam, nice shirt. Same as last night. About fucking time.” Then Mike looks over Liam’s shoulder, “Anne.” He gives me a knowing little smirk which flushes me completely and I try to hide behind my hair.

“Mike, we’re here for business right now, Anne is our business.  You might know Anne, but you need to keep this professional.” Wow, I like this take charge Liam, hot.

“Keeping it professional, right.  Look at you two.” Mike’s hand waved in front of us.  I can only imagine that state of my hair.  I instantly start trying to smooth it out.

“I know.  That is exactly why you’re here, Mike.  I obviously have a conflict of interest.  Anne’s my girlfriend…” He pauses there and gives Mike an I dare you to challenge this look. Holy shit.  Did he just say that? A multitude of things happen to me after hearing Liam’s declaration, girlfriend.  My mind wanders into a daydream of Liam.

“Anne...ANNE” I am jerked back to reality having missed a chunk of the conversation. “Shit, Liam.  She’s worse than you.  Okay, so I will play chaperone between you two and head up the security.”

“No, I am still in charge when it comes to her security, decisions fall to me.”

“Whatever. Anne, you should call Detective Briggs.  Let’s get this over with.”

“I’ll just run up stairs and grab my laptop so we can video conference with Briggs.”  I turn on my heel and walk away, pausing halfway up the stairs when I hear Mike and Liam start to talk.

“I can’t believe you finally fucked her, man.  She must have been one hell of a lay for you to go all territorial and call her your girlfriend.”

“Shut up.  It’s not like that, Mike.  I slept with her last night, but I didn’t fuck her.”

“Why the hell not?  She looked about ready to go when I got here. You both did.”

“Oh, I want her...bad.  Everything about her is hot.  The thing is, she’s a virgin.”

“Holy fuck.  You have got to be kidding me.”

    “Nope...” Afraid to eaves drop any more, I finish ascending the stairs to my room and grab my laptop.

Coming back downstairs, I set the laptop on the coffee table and sit in front of it.  Moments after I connect the video conference, Detective Briggs' face pops up on my screen. “Hey, Carolyn. Good to see you looking so well today.”
“Thanks, Detective.  I am feeling pretty good about the situation.  Liam and Mike from Hutcherson Security are here.” Mike stands in position behind the couch and Liam comes and sits next to me.  His muscular arm drapes over my shoulder as he crosses his leg, ankle to knee.
“Detective, I would like to thank you for having my girlfriend's…”
“Excuse me.  Carolyn, did he say girlfriend.  Is this who stayed with you last night?” Detective Briggs gasped with a look that I could quite place.
“Well, yes.  Liam is my neighbor and was the first person that I met while I was here.  We just recently got involved though.”

“Oh, really...well, he’s a good guy to have your back.  Now, who is the guy in the back.”

“Detective, that is Mike, my business partner.  Due to the nature of my relationship with Anne, I felt it necessary to have additional security.  I don’t want my relationship with her to cause any distractions.  We will both be assigned to Anne’s case.”

“Thorough.  I am sure that Carolyn, Anne if you will, has briefed you on her situation.”

“Actually, Detective, I have only just told Liam last night.  Mike is not aware.  Would you mind starting at the beginning.  I don’t think I want to right now?” I look up behind me at Mike and give him a sad smile. Liam squeezes my shoulder and kisses my temple, infusing me with the courage to her my story again.

“Very well.  Miss Thomas was assaulted after her prom…” I let my mind drift so I don’t have to relive that night again.  I am hypnotized by the swirling pattern that Liam is tracing on my arm.  The warmth of his body radiates security and safety like a chrysalis to a caterpillar.  He will protect me from my demons, vanquish them from my reality. Hopefully when I emerge, my wings will ready and I can fly free from the fear that cages me.

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