Page 46 of Broken Harmony
“Has she commanded you not to speak about it?”
Okay, I know this is mean, but is this man stupid? Or does he think I’m mute? Can’t be that, seeing how I was just talking.
He looks up at Liam. “Can we speak?”
Liam looks down at me like he doesn’t want to leave my side, but nods. “I’ll be right back.”
The hand he runs over the top of my head brings tears to my eyes. I crave his touch so badly it hurts.
I’m nearly asleep by the time they’re stepping back into the room. My eyes fly open, head snapping up.
“Hey.” Liam crouches down next to me. “How are you doing?”
“Amazing.” I give him a sleepy smile. “Like a million bucks.”
He doesn’t smile.Why does he never smile?
I have managed to get a few out of him over the years, which I’m pretty proud of. Once I even heard him deep belly laugh. God, I’d kill to hear it again. Pure music to my ears. Better than anything I could create.
“I know that Julia has you under her control right now. The only way we can break her commands is by another Alpha using their Alpha bark on you to counteract it.”
“No!” I cry out, panic filling my body as I grab onto his arm. “No. Please. No.” My voice cracks, and Liam’s face falls. “Don’t let them do that to me. Please.” The idea of another Alpha having that control over me, even in this case, makes me want to claw at my skin and pull at my hair.
He looks up at the officer. “I’m not going to let you do it if she’s not willing.”
He nods, and a part of me relaxes. “Would you be able to?”
“No,” Liam says instantly. “I’d never do that to her.”
“It’s okay.” I cup his jaw. “I’ll be okay if you do it.”
Not really. I don’t want anyone to ever use another command or bark on me. But this is needed to stop her. She needs to payfor her sins. And I want nothing more than to be the one to bring her down.
“Ally... I can’t–” He looks torn, like the idea of him doing this physically pains him. And that's why I know I can trust him to not abuse his power over me.
“Yes, you can.” My hand tangles into the back of his hair, pulling him closer. “Please help me with this. You’re the only one I trust.”
He licks his lips and nods. I know he doesn't want to, but he’s doing this for me.
“I promise this will be the one and only time I use it, okay?”
“I believe you.” I give him a weak smile.
He nods, taking a few deep breaths. “I really don’t want to do this,” He grumbles under his breath. He looks me square in the eyes, and my heart threatens to pound out of my chest. “Ally, I want you to tell me every single thing Julia has commanded you to do, everything she told you not to do, and everything she told you not to speak of.” His voice is firm and demanding. I can feel the hold latching on my body. “Now.”
It’s like some magical spell being lifted. I’m only able to feel the relief until my lips start moving, and I tell them every single thing she’s done over the past three years.
By the end of it, I’m unable to look Liam in his eyes, shame and embarrassment digging their claws into me.
***
“Come on.” Liam’s calming voice has me leaning into his side. “Let's get you back to the bus.”
He’s different now. The brooding is gone, replaced with this fierce protectiveness over me. I wish he didn’t. It’s only going to hurt more when all of this is over and he remembers why he can’t have me.
“Ally!” My uncle rushes over to us, filled with worry. “Is everything okay? What's going on? Liam didn’t say much on the phone.”
“Ally, fuck!” Skyler rushes over, too, the other two right behind him.
