My Protector

Chapter 26

Niall's POV

I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay with her. I had to leave.

Although our last night together was everything I had wanted it to be, I couldn't stay with her knowing I was the reason for all her troubles. My dad was after her and within days, he would have her. I had to leave in order to save her.

Laying beside her naked body in bed, I realized just how selfish I was being. I had to put my own desires aside in order to protect her. I wanted her. I wanted to stay, but I knew I couldn't. If I loved her, I would go. And that's exactly what I did.

Shortly after she fell asleep, I packed a bag of my things, grabbed Greg, and left. The rest of the gang would soon follow behind. I knew she would be upset, but I knew it was for the best. To ease confusion, I left a note beside her body on the bed.

Liv,

I love you. I had to go. You're safe. It's okay.
Niall

We drove to a remote town located on the outskirts of Galway, Ireland. It was a quiet rural town and it's confinements were the perfect escape from all the madness. But the madness followed.

Although we were miles apart and our bodies were physically separated from each other, I felt as though our minds were still intertwined. Thoughts of her engrossed my mind. I couldn't believe I had just left her naked on the bed in an apartment filled with unknown men. I wanted to go back, rip up the note, and take her with me (if she wanted to of course), but I couldn't. It was too late. I was here and I needed to stay here.

"You did good," Greg said as we settled into the motel room.

I didn't reply.

"She'll be okay, you know," he tried comforting me.

But it didn't work. I knew she wouldn't be okay mentally.

"Dad isn't going to hurt her now. He has no reason to."

And that was the last time he tried comforting me that night. I think he gave up knowing that nothing could ease the guilt and anguish that overwhelmed me.

It was over. Liv was no longer a part of my life. She was a memory, something that I had to move on from.

And I didn't know if I had the strength to do such an act.