The Conclusion of Killian & Liri (Cruel Love Book 2) Read online

  The Conclusion of Killian & Liri

  Cruel Love

  Book 2

  Glenna Maynard

  The Conclusion of Killian & Liri ©2019 All Rights Reserved Glenna Maynard

  This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, business, establishments, locals or events is entirely coincidental. Any reference to real events, business, organizations or locals is intended only to give the fiction a sense of realism and authenticity. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.

  Cover design and formatting Glenna Maynard

  Dedication

  ~To risking it all~

  Love is cruel but worth it.

  The Conclusion of Killian & Liri

  Liri fell fast and hard for Killian. He was a force that she couldn’t escape. The push and pull she felt for him was intoxicating. His love changed her for the better. Love can be cruel, but it can also be worth the risk. And for Killian she was willing to risk it all.

  This is the conclusion of Killian & Liri.

  Contents

  Dedication

  The Conclusion of Killian & Liri

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Acknowledgements

  About Glenna

  Playlist

  Available Now

  Chapter 1

  Killian

  Dreams keep blurring through my mind like stolen images from someone else’s picture book. None of them familiar, yet all of them the pieces that somehow make me whole.

  Fast cars. Even faster girls. Rainbows. Flashing lights. The prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. A musical laugh that makes my heart swell. Loud music buzzes in my ears. I can’t make it go away. Those eyes that haunt me are back but they’re sad. Something tells me that it’s my fault. I hurt her.

  The images and memories come at me over and over again on an endless loop. Fast cars. Loud engines. Rainbows. Now unicorns. Flashing lights. The prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. A musical laugh that makes my heart swell. A brown-haired girl regarding me with so much love I can’t handle it. Powder blue eyes. My favorite color. Her laughter my favorite sound. Round and round I go on this carousel wishing all the noise would stop.

  Shattered glass. My head pounds, and I blink my eyes, but nothing happens. I’m trapped in this dreamlike trance. “I love you, Killian.” The most precious words I’ve ever heard.

  “One race. You and me. You win you keep your girl. I win I make us even when I fuck her.”

  I try to clench my fists, but I can’t even tell if I’m doing it or not.

  “You riding with me? It is your ass on the line?”

  Those sad eyes pierce my heart.

  I gasp, struggling to breathe while wishing I could take it all back.

  “I never lose.”

  Her lips meet mine desperate to change my mind.

  Desperate to be enough.

  Desperate to love me enough for us both.

  That damn song blares in my ears again.

  Powder blue eyes that make my heart skip a beat.

  Anger courses through me.

  Someone had their hands on her. It all leads back to her.

  My chest squeezes tight. I step on the gas. I have to make this right. I need to go back to her. I left her in that clearing, but it’s too late. Metal crunches and everything fades to black.

  Pulse hammering in my throat the cycle starts all over again.

  I can’t keep reliving this hell of my own making. I just want it to stop. Everything hurts.

  I push back against the images until they begin to blur.

  Those eyes flash before me one more time, and I hang onto them, focusing on nothing but the pain behind them.

  “Killian. Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand.”

  I can hear you.

  I can feel you.

  My breath bubbles in my throat, and I blink.

  An angry gasp rips through my lungs feeling like my first breath after coming back from death.

  Those powder blue eyes come into focus full of tears then disappear replaced by green ones

  “Hi,” she breathes the word out. “Do you know where you are? Can you squeeze my hand again?”

  My head spins, and I fall back into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 2

  Liri

  “Hi. I wanted to let you know he’s out of surgery and everything looks great. He’s still a little groggy, but you can see him now.”

  “Thank you.” I run my fingers through my messy tangles and do my best not to appear like the hot crying mess that I am. Tapping lightly on the door, I enter the room. His eyes are closed but he appears comfortable and peaceful. I lurk at the foot of the bed unsure of what to do or say. I feel absolutely wretched about everything. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t be in this position. Defending me got him into this hospital bed, and I feel completely wretched.

  “Hey, you,” he croaks.

  “Hi.” I offer a sincere but weak smile. “How are you?” I immediately feel dumb for asking. He just got out of surgery.

  He chuckles. “I’m okay. Swimming days are behind me, but it was bound to happen sooner than later.” His blond hair is sticking up. I’m not used to seeing him appear so unkept. Hunter is always put together.

  “Hunter, I’m so sorry. I feel terrible.”

  “Don’t do that. It’s not your fault. None of it is your fault. You’re my friend, and I’d do it again all over if I had to choose. I’ll always answer your call. If you need me, I’ll be there.”

  “You’re a good friend.” We’ve had our moments, but Hunter is always real with me.

  “So are you.”

  I shake my head. “I’m not but thank you for thinking it anyway.”

  “How’s Killian?”

  I stare at my blood-stained shoes and suck in a breath. “No change.”

  “He’s going to pull through this. He’s got you waiting for him.”

  I swallow hard and nod. “I’m so lost. My world revolves around him. What if…” I can’t bring myself to say what if he never wakes up.

  “Don’t think like that. If anyone can come back from an accident like that its him. He’s going to fight his way back to you. You guys belong together. I may not agree with all his choices but he’s crazy about you, Liri. Even a blind man could see that.”

  “I hope so. Can I get you anything?”

  “Nah. My sister is working, and my parents are on their way. You
should get cleaned up so that the first thing Killian sees when he wakes up is your beautiful face.”

  “You’re sweet. Get some rest. I’ll come check on you later.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be home before you know it. Focus on taking care of you and being there when Killian wakes up.”

  If he wakes up…

  Please let him come back to me.

  **

  “This is the song that was playing that first night we met when you took me to that first race with you.” I place an earbud in Killian’s ear as White Zombie plays from my phone. His nurse said it could help. I’ll play him every song ever made if it gets him to open his eyes. I just need him to wake up.

  “I was so mad at you. And then you kissed me, and I think I knew then that I never wanted to kiss anyone else ever. You were so cocky and broody. But you were so bad in your leather jacket. A rebel without a cause. I fell so fast and stupid for you and your smile.” I stroke his jaw wishing I could see him smile again. I think I’d give anything to see him smile. “I need you. Please don’t leave me. I can’t do this without you. I don’t want to live in a world where you don’t exist.”

  Bending down I press my lips to his forehead.

  I thought I had lost him. The first seventy-two hours were critical because of the swelling and bleeding on his brain. He’s lucky. We’re lucky he’s still here. He’s suffering cuts and deep contusions, but his injuries could have been way worse than they are. The woman he hit only suffered a mild concussion. Ben’s car is completely totaled but it is replaceable. Killian isn’t.

  Scooting my chair up to the side of his bed, I take my seat and his hand, brushing my fingers over his busted knuckles.

  “Don’t tell me I’m not allowed in there. She’s my child and who do you think is footing the bill. Move out of my way.”

  Ugh. My mother’s voice carries down the corridor. I ignore her as she forces her way into Killian’s hospital room. I keep rubbing his hand and playing him his favorite music as my mother’s eyes bore into my back like hot laser beams.

  She can stare at me all she likes I have nothing to say to her.

  “Sweetheart.” Her hand lands on my shoulder giving me a firm squeeze. “You need rest. You’re not sleeping. You’re losing weight. This isn’t healthy. Killian would want you to take care of yourself.”

  What would she know about it?

  I push her hand away and twist sideways to meet her eyes. “What would you know about what Killian would want?” I scoff and shake my head as tears threaten to fall. “He’d want me here when he wakes up. That’s what he’d want.” I wipe at my eyes and turn back toward my boyfriend.

  “I know you think I don’t get it, but I do. You think I didn’t sit by your father’s bedside after his accident and do the same things you’re doing now. I promised anything in the world if he’d just open his eyes for me. Do you know it pains me to see you putting yourself through that exact heartache?”

  “Killian isn’t James. They aren’t the same, and I’m nothing like you.”

  Her mouth curves down into a frown. “But aren’t they? You don’t know if or when he’ll wake up. What he’ll even be like. You saw your father. You don’t want that for either of you, and you know it. Think about it, Liri. Come home for a few hours to eat, sleep, and bathe. I’ll drive you back myself the moment you want to return.”

  I swallow hard as bile tries to burn its way up my throat. “Just go.” I observe Killian and fight like hell not to see my father in him. She’s wrong. It’s not the same.

  Killian isn’t James.

  “Please think about it. I’m not saying this to hurt you or upset you. Talk to me.”

  “I’m sure you’re happy. You hated that we were together. You were jealous that we found the happiness you never did with James. Dad told me that you were separating.” I scowl at her. “I. Don’t. Want. You. Here.”

  “No but you’ll sure let me and Theo pay for Killian’s care.”

  “I never asked you to. So, if you don’t want to do it then don’t.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you. I only want you to be realistic about your expectations. The Killian who wakes up may not be the Killian he was before. I only want you to be prepared for the worst. I was blindsided when your father woke up. I had these silly notions in my head that he’d wake up and apologize for all the bad and that we’d finally be a family and give you the life I was dreaming of. But that didn’t happen, and I was forced to face his grim reality.”

  Visions of my birth father dance in my head. The way he pulled at his hair and screamed at us when I went to visit him. The way I felt. The guilt I feel for not being able to go back to see him. It all builds and builds until I want to scream. My stomach lurches, and I run for the bathroom. I barely make it down the hall in time to dry heave. Cold sweat drips down my back. I’ve never felt more alone than I do now.

  I flush the toilet and wash my hands. Ripping a paper towel from the dispenser, I wet it and run it over the back of my neck. My reflection in the mirror is frightful. I’m pale with dark circles under my eyes, and my hair hasn’t been washed in days. My mother may not be my favorite person right now, but she was right—I’m not taking good care of myself. The only time I leave Killian’s hospital room is when his family comes to visit. His father isn’t taking any of this very well. The hospital isn’t great for his immune system either after his cancer scare. Dillan is a mess and Noelle is worried about him. He’s been drinking a lot. Diane is beside herself. We all just want our Killian back.

  I need him to come back to me.

  When I leave the bathroom, my mother is talking to one of the nurses. I pause and listen in on them though I shouldn’t.

  “What are we really facing when he wakes up? I—my daughter needs to be prepared for what’s to come. I don’t want to give her false hope.”

  “He’s being weaned off the medications. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when. It’s really up to Killian to wake up at this point, but the swelling is gone. His scans are great. I think he’ll be fine, and your daughter won’t have anything to be scared of.”

  I let out a breath and tears fill my eyes, but this time they are happy ones. I walk past them and go back into the room more determined than ever to bring him back. Starting the music again, I grab the lotion from the bag Noelle brought me and pull his socks off.

  I massage his calves and his feet, rubbing the lotion in thick, hoping the stimulation will wake him up.

  “Sweetheart,” my mother calls from the doorway. “At least go down to the cafeteria with me and get something to drink.”

  Exhaling loudly, I reluctantly agree.

  In the cafeteria I get a water and sandwich. It tastes like cardboard, but I eat it anyway because my body seems to be responding to the nourishment. I’ve been living off junk from the vending machines this past week. I know it is unhealthy, but it is what it is.

  “Who is he?”

  “What are you talking about? He who?”

  “The man you’re leaving Dad for.”

  “Your father and I have grown apart. It has nothing to do with another man or woman though if you must know he’s had someone else for some time now.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t get it. You gave me this big speech about when you find your one, but it was all crap.”

  “It’s complicated. I love Theo very much. He’s my best friend, but those romantic feelings…they aren’t there. You can’t force love, and we’re just different people. Why don’t you come home for a few days? I’m sure we can work something out with your professors.”

  “You think I care about that right now? Seriously. My boyfriend is upstairs in a hospital bed and you want to talk about my classes. You should go. Thanks for the sandwich.” Scooting my chair back, I push off from the table.

  “Liri, I don’t want to fight with you. I was only trying to take your mind off things. I didn’t mean it to be insensitive. I know that the only thing on your mind
is Killian waking up, and I pray he does. I want you to be happy. You need someone to pour all your anger into and it happens to be me right now. It’s okay because I can take it, but you should be directing your anger at him. He got behind the wheel when he had been drinking. He stole that boy’s car. He did this to himself.”

  “Stop it. Do you know why he was in that car? No, you don’t. It was my fault. Mine!” I stab my chest with my finger. “Just forget it. You want him to be the bad guy just like you wanted James to be.”

  I leave her and return to Killian’s bedside. I don’t need her adding to my stress.

  Chapter 3

  Killian

  The loud music is back. I can feel someone stroking my face and hear a soft but melancholy voice in my ear.

  “Come back to me, babe. I need you, Killian.”

  “I need you.”

  “Don’t leave me.”

  “I love you. I’m sorry.”

  “I forgive you.”

  “Fight for me.”

  “Fight for us.”

  I’m fighting, baby. I’m fighting so damn hard, but it hurts.

  Fast cars. Fast girls. Powder blue eyes that set my soul on fire. Liri Hart owns me. Always Liri. I wanted to marry that girl one day. I ruined us. I ruined her. I ruin everything I touch. She’d be better off without me, but I love her, and I can’t give her up.

  I’ll come back to you, baby. I’m coming back to you.

  Round and round on this carousel.

  I’ll set this world on fire to get to her.

  Flashing lights. Her ass in those damn pink tights with hearts on them. Her face lights up, and I sink inside her and forget all the bad. I push all the hurt away.

  Just let me hold you, baby.

  “You were such a jerk.”

  “I knew when you kissed me, I’d never want to kiss anyone else ever.”

  “Come back to me, Killian.”

  “Can you hear me?”

  “Please, Killian. I don’t want to be without you.”