I lifted my head again and William leaned very close. “Be very clear with me, Olivia. I’m about to go in there and beat the shit out of that man, so I need to know I understood you correctly. Are you saying that P.J. Jackson is actually the Paul that put you in the hospital?”
“Yes. It’s him.”
William’s eyes flashed and his hands clenched into fists. “Fuck,” he said. I could tell he was seconds away from rushing inside and connecting his fists with Paul’s face.
“Don’t.” I grabbed one of his hands and waited for him to unclench it. He didn’t come around easily.
“He deserves to pay for what he did to you, Livy.” William finally took my hand in his. “I mean, look at you. Look at what he’s still doing to you.”
“I’m okay, William.” I tried to keep my voice strong and steady. Very carefully, William helped me to my feet. “It was just a shock, seeing him. But I really am okay.”
William used one hand to brush my hair away from my face, while his other hand still clung to mine. Anger burned in his eyes, but it was tempered by a softness that he reserved only for me. “I don’t think I can just walk away.”
“You can. I know you can.” I leaned into him until he wrapped his arms around me. His heart was still thudding violently but his breathing had become more regular. “Let’s go home, William.”
“Liv!” Paul’s voice had the same impact as a bullet being fired from a gun. William’s arms tightened around me and his breathing escalated. “Liv, are you okay? I just want to talk.”
“Go away, Paul.” I twisted in William’s arms enough to look Paul in the eye. If William hadn’t been there, I would never have been so bold. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Liv. Please.” Paul had the nerve to smile at me. “It’s me. You know me. I’m not going to hurt you.”
William released his grip on me and put himself between me and Paul. “I suggest you leave now while you still can.”
“Easy, Connor. This has nothing to do with you. This is between me and Liv.” Paul looked at me over William’s shoulder. “I thought you didn’t like the jealous type?”
“I don’t like the abusive type either, Paul.” I stepped out from behind William. While I appreciated him protecting me, I was finally ready to face Paul. “Go. Away. I have nothing else to say to you.”
“I don’t believe you.” I recognized the look in Paul’s face and it made my chest tighten. “We were together four years, Liv. I made one mistake. One. Whatever happened to second chances?”
“I don’t give second chances to people that try to kill me.” From the corner of my eye, I noticed that William had gone perfectly still.
“That’s an exaggeration.” Paul scoffed. “You always were a drama queen.”
“Well, I guess you taught me a lesson and I got what was coming to me.” I actually rolled my eyes. Paul didn’t scare me anymore. In fact, I pitied him. “You’re pathetic, Paul.”
“Good luck, Connor.” Paul had turned back to William. “Maybe you’ll have better luck with the bitch.”
The next ten seconds moved in slow motion. I saw William flinch, and he sprung forward without even a second of hesitation. His fist landed solidly against Paul’s jaw, and his head snapped back. The sickening crack signaled that his jaw had been broken. Paul clutched his face with both hands and let out a tortured scream. William seized the front of Paul’s shirt and twisted it, drawing him forward. Very calmly, he said, “I’m giving you a pass this time. The next time I see you, I kill you. Consider this your second chance.”
William shoved Paul away and turned to me. “Let’s go home, Livy.”
CHAPTER THREE
Thirty minute later, William and I were in my apartment, trying to forget about Paul. I watched William nervously as he meandered around my place, looking at pictures and pulling down books from their shelves. While William snooped, I poured us both a drink and wrapped some ice in a towel.
“Get over here,” I said when I saw him reach for my high school yearbook. William debated his next step but ultimately met me in the kitchen. He reached for a glass with his good hand and took a grateful sip. “Give me your hand, Rocky.”
The knuckles on his right hand were bruised and raw. I kissed each one and then placed the ice over them. “Totally worth it,” William said when he saw my pained expression. I didn’t like the idea of William hurting because of me. He kissed my forehead. “I love your place.”