Page 57 of Caging Liberty
I motion to the men. “Call off the dogs.”
“Angel…”
“It’sfine. I’ll explain everything once we’re alone.”
“I’m not leaving that bitch by herself.” Spittle flies from his mouth as he talks, like he’s caught rabies or something. I’ve never seen him so angry, and it almost makes me regret allowing the phone call.
But no, she needed that. I’m certain of it.
Instead of arguing further, I stare back at him and wait. Part of me starts to question if he won’t pry Lib from my arms to throttle her.
Sawyer’s mouth is set in a hard line while he stares me down, but eventually, he concedes and waves off the men. They put their guns away and start toward the back door.
“Don’t leave,” he says to them. “Stand outside and guard the doors.”
“Yes, sir.” I can’t help but grimace at the one who looks like he’s about to salute. He’s the last to leave, and he stands so tall it’s annoying. This isn’t the marines, kid.
Once they’re gone, I take Lib’s shoulders and slowly push her off me. She raises her head to peer at me, and the look she gives is clear enough it doesn’t need words attached to it.
Help.
“You’re fine, just wait here.”
“We’re not leaving her alone,” Sawyer reiterates. “Whatever excuse you’re about to make for her, you can do it here.”
I lift my gaze to him. “Would you calm down?”
“Calm down?” His eyes widen, and he takes a step toward me.
Lib seems fully aware of his proximity, and she moves behind me, using me as a shield.
“I’ll calm down as soon as this cunt is buried. Shecontactedsomeone. That goes way beyond the manor rules, that’s a rule for every slave on the island. She’s dead. Period. Don’t fucking try to convince me otherwise.”
“I made her call Gaumond.”
Sawyer stiffens like he’s turned to stone. “What?”
“I wanted her to see for herself that there’s no escaping. She’s been held back by hope that her husband is going to save her, and I thought it would be beneficial for everyone if she knew he wasn’t.”
“If she had called anyone else…”
I raise a brow. “I watched her dial. How could she have called someone else?”
He closes his mouth as he thinks about that. I didn’t realize how much I’d have to lie to get him to calm down about this.
Sawyer glares behind me, his nostrils flaring. “I’mdonewith this bitch’s bullshit.” He shakes his head. “Either take her or she’s dead.”
“I can’t have my own slave.”
“I don’t fucking care!” Sawyer clenches his fists then unclenches them to run his palms over his face. He drops his hands and glares at me. “Choose. Death or yours.”
Choose.
Not a suggestion, not a request, a command. A use of power. Againstme.
Is he out of his fucking mind?
Something primitive inside me takes over, and all rational thought goes out the window. I try to remember this is Sawyer. My closest friend since college. My brother. The person in my life I care about most.