The media and protesters had gathered, holding placards and pictures of Ruby.
“Justice for Ruby!”
“Take down the alpha!” they chanted.
Liam’s eyes bulged in shock. “What did I do to deserve all this?” he asked Grandpa Russell. Grandpa Russell shot daggers at him.
‘Oh now you realize your mistakes right? You’re putting under scrutiny, Liam Storm: Leave.”
_iam didn’t need to be told twice.
He ran.
Through the back door. And escaped. Desperate to hide from the chaos he had created.
On Katie’s end, she watched the entire chaos happening live from the TV.
Justice is finally being served for Ruby,” she muttered.
Seeing Ruby’s warm smile staring at her from the screen made her sad all over again.
She really missed her daughter. Terribly.
She could still hear her tiny voice in her head.
ler heart ached.
ucian spoke with a tense look. “I wasn’t about to sit back and watch Liam get away with his rimes. He’s going to pay for what he’s done.”
Katie’s smile faltered for a moment. “What if they don’t find him?”
Don’t worry. He has many crimes to pay for. He is definitely going to get locked up.”
Katie sighed and thanked him for everything.
Vithout him, she couldn’t pull it off herself.
nstead of responding, he shot her a mischievous look.
Hey, how about we go get our wedding certificate?” he suggested, suddenly.
Wedding certificate?”
Lucian loved doing impromptu things.
He nodded. “Yeah, we can make it official. When everything dies down, we can have a real vedding. But right now, I’m not settled knowing that you’re not my wife yet.”
Katie’s heart skipped a beat as she gazed into his eyes.
Why not?
Katie’s lips curved into a smile. “Okay,” she agreed, her voice soft.
Just then, Lucian’s mom burst into the room. “Did I just hear a wedding? I don’t want anybody connected to Katie’s family in our lives. Dakota has done enough,”
Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning.. “Mom, please. It doesn’t matter now that we’ve already jumped into the drama. Gonna be hard to end it now if you ask me.”
Cora eyed him sharply. “And whose fault is that? Is it mine?”
Lucian’s jaw clenched. “It’s not Katie’s fault,”
“You need to end whatever you have with her before things get worse, Lucian. She’s going to ruin your life.”
“I won’t let that happen, Mom. I know what I want.”
“I hope you don’t regret this,” she warned.
“I promise you won’t. I’d see you later Mom. Katie and I have a wedding certificate to grab.”
Katie looked at her shoes as Lucian guided her out.
He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder saying she shouldn’t pay too much attentior to his mother.
Katie loved how he made her feel. Safe. Protected. Warm. Fuzzy inside.
With that, he whisked her away to a luxurious designer brand shop. “Pick anything you like,”
The excitement in his voice was clear.
She raised an eyebrow. “We’re just going to get a certificate, what’s the point of dressing up? she asked, her voice playful.
‘It’s important.”
He watched as Katie tried on different dresses, each one showcasing her beauty in a unique
way.
Finally, he picked the one he felt she looked best in. A stunning white gown that accentuated he
curves.
As they walked out of the shop, Lucian looked at her adoringly.
You look breathtaking,” he whispered.
She blushed her thanks.
At the registry office, they obtained their wedding certificate.
‘We’re actually really married now, huh?”
His smile was radiant. “Yes. Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Lucian.”
****
Liam stood outside Dakota’s house, phone in hand, hesitating.
He had tried calling her multiple times, but she hadn’t answered.
She even blocked their mindlink.
With a deep breath, he walked up to the door and knocked.
Once.
Twice.
The door creaked open.
Dakota looked taken aback seeing his disheveled appearance.
“Liam, what are you doing here? You look like hell. Aren’t you supposed to be in jail?”
Her eyes darted around the surroundings nervously.
13
2
23
“I have nowhere else to go, Dakota,” he pleaded. “Everyone hates me right now. I literally don’t have a bed to sleep in. I only have you.”
She pursed her lips slightly. “Listen, I don’t want to get entangled in your mess. What if they find out you’re hiding here?”
He scoffed angrily. You’re my partner in crime, Dakota. Why would you abandon me at the most trying time of my life?”
Her eyes flashed with frustration. “If both of us go down, it’ll be worse than one of us does. You shouldn’t complicate things for both of us. Just let them take you, and I’ll find a way to get you
out.”
Liam’s eyes widened in hurt, his voice cracking. “You’re really going to turn me away? After everything we’ve been through?”
“You need to leave. I promise you, I would try to get you later.”
