39

AUDREY

A deep growl escaped Liam’s chest, and he clenched his fists. “How can a father do that to her only daughter? I always knew your father was cold-blooded, Audrey. After the rumors about the Millers, he’s not even done doing vicious, evil deeds.”

I scowled. “What do you mean about the Millers?”

“Didn’t you know?”

“I heard, of course, but there’s no basis, Liam.”

“Listen,” he leaned closer to me and spoke in a whisper. “Only a few workers in the vineyard know, and Dad has been keeping silent. You know what happened to Austin Miller, right?”

I nodded, and I shut my eyes remembering what had happened to him. “Yes, he was found dead a year ago in the lake with bruises and stabs in his body.”

“They saw him being dragged away by at least five men into the woods, but no one had said a thing. People are afraid.”

“And you think my father is behind this?”

“Why not, Audrey? Your father sent Ben Miller, Austin’s older brother, to prison while he’s innocent—setting up the poor guy for the illegal gambling in town your dad started himself. You know about this, of course.” 

“Yes, I know that he’s gambling,” I muttered, unable to deny when it was also the reason why we’d started losing some of our properties.

“I didn’t know what exactly happened, but Austin was probably trying to save his brother, but he ended up losing his life instead.”

I wanted to cover my ears for such a gruesome story. My stomach wouldn’t be able to handle it. There was no reason for Liam to lie. Having a father who could throw away his daughter for his own whim was enough reason why I should believe the guy.

My palms were sweaty, and my skin shuddered. And this man we were talking about was my own flesh and blood. 

“I’m sorry, Audrey,” Liam apologized in a soft voice. He must’ve noticed my wincing. 

“It’s not your doing,” I whispered. “I’ve known from the very start that my father is a cruel man, but I tried not to listen because, at the end of the day, he’s still my father, and he provides things for the family…” I wiped my face, only noticing that I had already teared up. “He’s not like this before, not before Mom’s death. He was once my favorite person, my hero… until he changed and started talking about marrying me off. Maybe I wasn’t worthy enough for him.”

“Audrey…” Liam murmured, and he bent down a knee in front of me. He reached a hand to my face and brushed my tears away. “You’re probably not aware, but I always think that you’re more worthy than anything else.” His beautiful cerulean eyes dug deep into my soul.

“What am I going to do now, Liam?” I began to cry. “I’m scared. What can I do with my life? I’m not even eighteen. It’s like chasing the unknown, just like you said. I feel like I’m suddenly alone…”

Liam sighed, and then he held my gaze. “Can I hold your hand?”

I nodded. 

Slowly and tenderly, he took my hand and entwined his fingers with mine. “Have you ever held a guy’s hand before?”

I sniveled my tears back. “Just Samuel’s…”

His eyes gleamed again. A ghost smile played on the sides of his lips. “Then I must be lucky. Can I hold you?”

I was stunned, but my cheeks felt as red as ever. “Yes…”

Liam’s expression brightened, and so he sprang up and sat on the couch next to me, then carefully brought me to his chest. “Have you ever been held by a guy before?”

I shook my head. 

“Then you made me a very lucky guy,” he said. 

I chortled between tears and lifted my arms to hold him back. Liam felt so warm. I moved close to him and buried my face into his chest. He smelled so good. 

Affectionately, he stroked my back with gentle circles.

“Liam, your heart is beating very loud,” I whispered.

“It’s your doing,” he said forthrightly but kindly. 

I slipped a glimpse of his beautiful face, then sunk in my face back to his chest.

“But just to make myself clear,” he went on. “I’m holding you because I think you need it so you don’t feel you’re alone. You’re with me, Audrey. How can you be alone?”

I purred against him. “Why didn’t I talk to you sooner? Life would’ve been easier for me. Samuel wasn’t always around to listen,” I said, suddenly regretting something I wasn’t aware of before. 

“Because you probably weren’t looking,” he whispered. 

I didn’t answer because he was right. How could I, when I was too crammed up with family issues that I had forgotten how to take care of myself? Every day, I was never happy. 

“But I was looking, Audrey…” he continued. 

“You were?”

“Hmm, yes. You were tirelessly looking out your windows in the afternoon, looking at the vineyard, but you weren’t when it was raining.”

“It was raining when mom passed away. I hate the rain.”

Liam sighed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t mean to sound creepy—”

“You’re not creepy at all.” I tightened my arms around his waist. “You’re beautiful, Liam. From now on, I’m going to keep looking at you,” my innocent heart promised. “Only if you promise to look at me whenever I feel alone.”

I felt his smile in my hair. “Believe me, Audrey. I’ve never looked at anyone else but you.”