Chapter 14

Lianna gets out of the cab, pulling her jacket closer to her body. It is freezing tonight. The cab driver asks for the money and she opens up her small bag. She hopes she has some money with her.

“Oi, don’t worry about that. I will sort it out,” a man says from the entrance of the building. Lianna watches as a broad-shouldered man comes trudging toward her. He stops next to her and holds a few dollars out to the driver. The driver takes the money and bids them good night.

“This way,” the man instructs and Lianna follows the man to the building. They get inside the building and Lianna realizes that it is a gym. Why did this guy ask her here?

She scans the place and sees William punching one of the bags. The white bag is covered in red marks. Is it blood?

“I apologize for the abrupt invitation. You see, I am not supposed to talk to you.” Lianna turns her head slightly to look at the man. He has a glowering look on his face. He folds his hands in front of him and leans back.

“I am Blake, that there’s man’s bodyguard.” He points to William. Lianna notices the man’s thick accent. It sounds like a broken British accent. He kind of sounds like the guys from “Peaky Blinders”.

“Usually, he listens to me, but today is not that day. He has been here for hours and I cannot get him to go back to your apartment. If you could, maybe talk some sense into that thick head of his. He is being a cunt,” Blake says with a rough voice.

Lianna lets out a scared laugh and looks at William. Where did William get this guy? Lianna nods her head and starts toward William, but Blake calls her back.

“Right, I am going. Get a taxi back to your place. Don’t get into trouble. I’m supposed to be at home tonight, but this fucker had other plans.  All right?” Lianna nods her head and Blake bows his head. He turns around and trudges out through the doors. That is the weirdest man Lianna has ever met, but he seems genuine.

Lianna shakes her head and walks to William. The closer she gets, the clearer she sees the blood on the punching bag. Her eyes flicker to William’s hands and she notices that he is bleeding through his wrapping.

“William?” she asks with a hesitant voice. He only responds by hitting the bag again. “William?” she asks louder. He continues to punch the bag, this time letting out louder grunts. She looks to the side and takes a steadying breath. Blake was right, he is being difficult. Whatever happened must be unspeakable.

Lianna counts his punches and tries to recognize a pattern so that she can interfere without getting hurt. She sees an opening and steps in between William and the bag, holding her hands out. She mentally begs not to get hit.

William staggers back slightly when he notices her. The punching bag bumps against her back.

“Get lost,” he hisses at her as he tries to shove her to the side. Lianna does not budge, placing her hands on his chest to push him back. William lets out a frustrated groan. “I said leave.”

“Come on, William. Let’s go home. This is not good for anyone, especially not you. Look,” Lianna says as she gestures with her head to his hands. “You’re bleeding.” William tries to shove her again and Lianna almost loses her footing.

Lianna squares her shoulders and looks William in the eyes. William’s hands curl into fists and Lianna notices him tensing.

“Just leave me alone!” William shouts and it looks like he is going to lift his hand. Lianna flinches out of instinct, closing her eyes and stepping back against the bag. She trips over her own feet and almost falls, but William grabs her arm.

Lianna opens her eyes to see William’s face painted with disbelief and shock.

She softly thanks him as she removes her arm from his grip and stands straight. William is frozen, staring at her. Lianna’s breath is unsteady as the adrenaline leaves her body.

“Why- Why did you flinch?” William asks, his voice barely a whisper. Lianna takes a step closer to William, but he gives a step back. Lianna frowns as she notices his hands shaking.

“William? Are you okay?” Her hands move to his face. She takes his face in her hands and looks into William’s eyes. Tears are hiding in his eyes and Lianna forces him to look at her.

“Why did you flinch?” he repeats. He struggles to keep eye contact. “Did you think . . . “ he trails off. “Did you think I was going to hit you?” Lianna shakes her head slowly, his face still in her hands.

“No, it was just a reaction. Come on, let’s go home,” she says, rubbing small circles on his cheeks with her thumbs. William moves away from her and turns his back on her. He grabs his bag on the floor and hurries toward the exit.

Did Lianna really think he would hit her? Why would she think that? Is he becoming like his father? He would not have hit her, he knows that. He cannot become like his father. He cannot. Why did she think he would hit her?

The cold air outside gives him a calmness for a second. He takes a breath, the tears threatening to fall. He shakes his head and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand. He needs to get away from this.

“William, wait up. Hey,” Lianna shouts. She stops next to him and puts her arms around herself. William ignores her as he calls for a cab. One stops next to them and William gets in without a word. Lianna follows him into the backseat.  She watches him while he gives the address. He turns his face away from her to stare out of the window. Lianna crosses her arms and also turns to stare at the cars passing them.

William is silent all the way back to her apartment, but the silence is different than when they got back from his family house. He seems more scared than when they drove back. He seems almost irrational.

William’s thoughts are spiraling and he tries to think of something to calm him, but everything is a mess. He managed to make a mess of everything. Why did he have to see Isaac getting hit? And why the hell does he have to put up with another woman? They all think they can change him, and be his savior when he lets them into his life. Lianna is no different.