6

Chapter 6

Aurora sat on the edge of her bed, her heart still pounding from what had happened upstairs.

Edward had snapped.

She had always known he was cruel, unpredictable, but today? Today was something different.

Liam had stepped in like it was nothing, like he wasn’t staring down a man who had no problem destroying people.

And what scared her the most?

Liam hadn’t even flinched.

Aurora exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair.

She needed to clear her head.

Being in this house was suffocating, and after what happened with Edward, she needed space.

Grabbing a light jacket, she pushed open her bedroom door and made her way downstairs.

The mansion was quiet. Too quiet.

Her mother was nowhere to be seen, probably out shopping or pretending she was happily married to a monster.

She just needed fresh air. A walk, a distraction, anything to stop her mind from spiraling.

As she reached the grand staircase, she heard footsteps behind her.

She already knew who it was before she turned.

Liam leaned against the railing, arms crossed, watching her.

“Running away?” he mused.

Aurora rolled her eyes. “It’s called going outside. Maybe you should try it sometime.”

Liam smirked. “I get plenty of fresh air, princess. Unlike you, I don’t sit around all day sketching in my little notebook.”

Aurora scowled. “At least I have a hobby that doesn’t involve breaking the law.”

Liam chuckled, pushing off the railing. “Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

Liam tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. “You sure about that? Because last time I checked, I’m the only person keeping you from getting eaten alive in this house.”

Aurora stiffened.

She hated that he was right.

She hated that he knew it.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she muttered, turning toward the door.

She barely made it outside before she heard him following.

Aurora groaned. “Are you serious?”

Liam shrugged. “I need a ride anyway.”

Aurora narrowed her eyes. “Ride where?”

Liam smirked. “You’ll see.”

Her frustration spiked. “I am not your chauffeur, Liam.”

“Relax, princess,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re already leaving. Might as well make it interesting.”

Aurora exhaled sharply. “You’re impossible.”

Liam grinned. “And you’re predictable.”

She wanted to argue, to shove him away and storm off alone.

But deep down, she knew one thing.

Being alone meant being vulnerable.

And if Edward was still in the house, still angry, maybe having Liam around wasn’t the worst idea.

She sighed. “Fine. But you don’t get to control the music.”

Liam laughed, following her to the car. “I make no promises.”

Aurora rolled her eyes, unlocking the doors.

Liam slid into the passenger seat, stretching out like he owned the place.

She started the engine, gripping the wheel tightly.

Liam reached for the stereo.

Aurora slapped his hand away.

“Don’t even think about it,” she warned.

Liam chuckled, but for once, he actually listened.

The drive was quiet at first.

Aurora kept her eyes on the road, trying to ignore the fact that Liam was so close, his presence so annoyingly strong.

“You drive like a grandma,” Liam mused after a few minutes.

Aurora scowled. “Or maybe you just have a death wish.”

Liam grinned. “Depends on the day.”

Aurora ignored him, turning the corner toward town.

She just needed a place to breathe, a distraction, something to remind her that her life wasn’t completely falling apart.

But fate, as always, had other plans.

Because as soon as she parked the car near a small coffee shop, she noticed something was wrong.

Liam noticed too.

His body stiffened slightly, his eyes darkening as he looked toward the parking lot.

Aurora followed his gaze.

A group of men stood near the entrance, dressed in leather jackets, their postures relaxed but their eyes sharp.

They weren’t just any men.

They were bikers.

Liam’s world.

Aurora’s stomach tightened.

She didn’t know much about his underground life, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew enough to realize that these men weren’t here by accident.

“Friends of yours?” she asked, her voice light but wary.

Liam exhaled slowly, his jaw ticking. “Not exactly.”

Aurora’s pulse spiked.

That answer meant one thing.

Enemies.

She barely had time to process it before one of the men spotted Liam and smirked.

Aurora’s stomach dropped.

This was bad.

Liam unbuckled his seatbelt, his expression unreadable. “Stay in the car.”

Aurora blinked. “Excuse me?”

Liam opened his door. “Just stay put.”

Aurora grabbed his arm before he could step out.

“Are you insane?” she hissed. “You can’t just—”

Liam turned to her, his face closer than it should have been.

“Trust me,” he murmured.

Aurora’s breath caught.

For once, there was no teasing in his voice. No cocky smirk.

Just seriousness.

It unnerved her.

Before she could say anything, he pulled away and stepped out of the car.

Aurora’s heart pounded.

She shouldn’t get involved.

She should just stay put, like he said.

But then she saw it.

The way the men spread out slightly, like a trap closing in.

The way one of them cracked his knuckles, grinning.

Liam was outnumbered.

And no matter how much she hated him, no matter how infuriating he was…

She wasn’t about to sit back and watch him get jumped.

Aurora cursed under her breath and threw open her door.

If Liam was about to fight, then so was she.

And God help anyone who tried to stop her