Hung (Under Revision)

23: Believe His Words?

Skye

What do I do? Do I leave? I need to stay. I need to finish the painting and get paid. How stupid am I? Why did I let Liam do that to me in Kelso's house? Shit!

With Liam's jacket covering me, I grab the rest of my clothing and pull my pants on. I'm not sure how to put on my top, since doing so would mean removing the jacket, and I don't want Kelso leering at me again.

"I'll get back to my painting now," I state to the room. Liam's head snaps to face mine, his eyes narrowed.

"You're coming with me." Liam does up his suit pants and retrieves his belt from the floor.

"No, I have to paint, I'm almost finished with this one." Finishing it would mean he owes me five grand.

"What, this smut?" Liam points to the painting then turns to Kelso. "Nice fucking painting you're hanging over your bed. Is that the best you can do, dream of it while you lie in bed, alone?"

"Fuck you."

"Shit, Kelso, I've had more action in your bed than you have."

"Enough of this, get out, now!" Kelso roars, his fists balled in front of him.

"I can't go, I'm not finished yet," I say, with no trace of confidence in my voice.

"You're not staying," Liam snaps.

"Oh, you can stay, especially if you plan on painting topless."

"No chance," Liam says, bundling me to the bedroom door.

I resist, trying to dig in with my feet but I have no chance against Liam's strength.

"My paints, at least let me put away my materials, they'll ruin."

"I'll buy you new ones." We're halfway down the hall and nearing the top of the stairs.

"I don't want you to buy me anything! I want to do this myself. To earn this."

"Earn whatever you want, after you're safe."

"If Skye wants to stay, she stays," Kelso says, standing in the frame of his bedroom door.

"Yes, see. I need to work."

"How fucking naive are you?" Liam says through gritted teeth. He picks me up and carries me down the stairs. Stunned by the way he spoke to me - swore at me - I stop resisting."

"If you think I'm settling the lawsuit now, forget it. I'm sucking every last penny out of our company," Kelso yells.

"You'll be wasting your own time and money, idiot." We reach the bottom of the stairs, Liam rushes through the entrance, past my half-finished temple painting and towards the door.

"Enjoy that piece of ass," Kelso calls from the landing at the top of the stairs.

"I already did, remember. The proof is on your bed," Liam yells as he slams the front door.

"Put me down," I demand, my jaw clenched. He doesn't.

"You're not going back in there, Kelso's all riled up, there's no telling what he'll do."

Liam carries me to his Maserati and finally puts me down. I'm still half naked, my panties in my hand, my bra tight around my lower ribcage.

I'm breathing hard and fast through clenched teeth. The last few minutes starts to sink in.

"Get in," Liam says, opening the passenger door.

"No. If I can't work here, I'm working in my studio. But I will finish this job."