Through the Dark (A Liam Payne Story) || Season 5 1D Watty Awards Winner: Best Liam Payne

Chapter Nine

"He has a lot of explaining to do," I hear Valerie say to someone.

"I know," Daniel says. He stayed? I shake my head slowly and prop myself up on my elbows.

"What happened?" I yawn "And what time is it?"

The two of them look at each other before Daniel speaks. "Liam is going to be here soon."

"And it's almost noon," Valerie adds.

I nod and lay back down. "Tell him I'm sleeping and I don't want to be disturbed."

"He'll just wait until you're awake," Daniel snorts and I hear someone's phone go off. "He's coming upstairs now. Someone in the building let him in."

I groan and move to get up but my legs feel heavy. I sigh and Valerie gets up from her bed to help me. "Easy there, Rose," she smiles at me, but the sympathy doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thanks, Val," I hug her and return the smile as the two of us sit on my bed. There is a knock at the door and Daniel gets up to open it for Liam.

I gasp when I look up at him, and Valerie holds on to my hands in hers. The left side of Liam's face is completely black and blue, while the right side has a few cuts and a giant scab. His knuckles are cut up from all the rolling around on the sidewalk and there is still blood on them. He's wearing a black leather jacket that covers his arms, and thank goodness, because I know I don't want to see what those look like. And the same goes for his stomach.

Valerie breaks the silence first, and pats my left hand. "We'll give you two some peace and quiet."

Daniel puts his arm over her shoulders and I notice she's still in her pajamas as they exit the room, leaving Liam and I alone. Liam let's out a long, shaky breath and kneels in front of me.

"Where would you like me to start?" he asks and takes my hands in his own now, replacing Valerie's soft touch.

"I really don't know Liam," I say honestly.

He shakes his head and let's go of my hands. He sits on the floor on the side of my bed, still facing me.

"Before I explain anything, how did you meet Tom?" he asks me and looks at the floor.

"We met at an art show in New York City two years ago," I admit.

"And that's when you two started dating?"

I shake my head. "We went on small dates, but we didn't make it official until six months later."

He nods and doesn't ask anymore questions about my past with Thomas. "Thomas and I go way back," he pauses to look up at me. "My life outside of this campus involves him and his father, and many more people like them. Thomas and his father happen to be the most powerful people in the business, and I landed the best partnership with them. I'm connected to many people, but my focus is always on them."

"What kind of partnership do you have with these people?" I ask him hesitantly.

"It's not just me, Rosalie. It's all the boys who were with us just a few hours ago," he sighs. "Are you sure you want to know the truth?"

I nod and Liam continues. "We have partnerships with different drug cartels."

I put up my hand to stop him from talking and slowly stand up. "You said you wanted the truth, Rosalie."

"I know. Just give me a few seconds to take this all in," I pace back and forth slowly, and Liam stands up to lean against my desk. "So how did this all begin? Not just with you, but with Rooney, Daniel, Edward, and the others."