Chapter 543
Chapter 543:
She retched, dry heaving.
Liam pulled her into his arms with his good arm, rocking her as the boat sped into the darkness of the ocean.
“It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair, his voice breaking. “I’ve got you. I’m never letting go again p>
The ocean was black, endless, and indifferent to the agony unfolding on the small boat.
Skye was burning alive.
That’s what it felt like. The Blue Velvet was stripping her nerves raw. Every touch of fabric against her skin felt like sandpaper. The sound of the waves was a thunderclap inside her skull.
“Make it stop,” she moaned, thrashing on the leather seat. “Please, make it stop p>
Liam held her down with his good arm, pressing her against the seat. His face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He ignored the throbbing in his broken fingers and the sting of his fresh wound. His entire world was the woman screaming in his arms.
“We’re almost there, Skye,” Liam said, his voice calm but tight with panic. “Just hold on p>
“Don’t touch me!” Skye shrieked, shoving him away. Her eyes were wild, pupils blown wide. “You’re one of them! You’re him p>
“I’m Liam,” he said firmly, grabbing her wrists to stop her from clawing at her own face. “Look at me. I’m Liam p>
Skye looked at him. For a second, recognition flickered. Then her eyes rolled back, and her body arched in a seizure.
“Felix! Faster!” Liam roared at the driver.
“Engines are at max, sir!” Felix shouted back over the wind.
Hours passed. It felt like years.
Skye cycled through rage, despair, and catatonic silence. She vomited until there was nothing left but bile. She cried until her voice was a rasp.
And through it all, Liam held her. He wiped her face. He whispered promises he wasn’t sure he could keep.
As dawn broke, painting the sky in bruises of purple and orange, the skyline of Haven City appeared.
𝗖𝘰𝘮p𝘭et𝖾 c𝗵a𝗉𝗍е𝗿𝘴 𝗈𝗻 𝗯e.𝖼o𝗆
They bypassed the main harbor, heading for a private dock nestled in a cove.
A figure was waiting on the pier—tall, slender, dressed in a pristine gray suit that looked out of place against the rugged coastline.
Julian Vance.
The boat docked. Liam didn’t wait for the ramp. He awkwardly scooped Skye up, bearing most of her weight on his right side to spare his broken left hand, and jumped onto the wood.
Julian stepped forward, flanked by two paramedics.
“Is she breathing?” Julian asked, his voice sharp.
“Barely,” Liam said. “He gave her Blue Velvet. A high dose p>
Julian’s face went rigid. A flash of pure, unadulterated hatred crossed his eyes. “That bastard p>
He motioned to the paramedics. “Get her to the infirmary. Protocol 9. Now p>
They took Skye from Liam’s arms, placing her on a stretcher. As they strapped her down, Skye reached out, her hand grasping at the air.
“Liam p>
“I’m coming,” Liam said, stepping forward.