All the relaxed atmosphere left with Liam.
“Would you like some coffee?” I offer Declan, highly aware of the credit card in my hand.
“Please.” He walks around the living area as if he’s searching for a threat.
I go to the kitchen and quickly take the last sip of my beverage. The memory of Liam having some of my coffee makes the corner of my mouth lift.
And he gave you his credit card.
I look down at it.
Liam’s treating me as if we’re a couple.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach, the sensation a breath of fresh wind after the loss and trauma. Instantly the butterflies vanish, and the guilt and grief come back in full force.
It’s eating away at me that Dad died because of me. If I had listened to him, he’d still be alive.
Declan comes to stand next to me, and when he starts preparing the coffee, I whisper, “Sorry.”
“I’ve got it.”
I begin to walk away so I can go upstairs and put the credit card in a safe place when Declan says, “It gets better with time.”
Does it?
I glance at him from over my shoulder.
He doesn’t look at me but continues to stir the coffee. “I lost my parents when I was nine, before comin’ to Chicago. Jimmy took me under his wing. Practically raised me.”
I turn around. “You were close with my dad?”
Declan nods. “Kinda know how you feel right now.”
The uneasiness I feel being alone with him fades a little.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Lost a dad, gained a sister.” He takes a sip of his coffee, then locks eyes with me. “I’m tellin’ you this so you’ll relax around me. Would make my job easier if we got along.”
I nod. “Okay.” I gesture to the stairs. “I’m just going to put the credit card away.”
“You don’t need to report everythin’ you’re goin’ to do. I’ll just shadow you.”
Nodding, I head upstairs to the guest room where my belongings are. At some point, I have to go home. It’s almost been two weeks. I can’t stay here indefinitely.
Even if I’d like to.
Opening my handbag, I take my wallet out and place the card in it. I sit down on the bed and decide to check my phone for messages.
There’s one from Mom.
Let me know how you’re doing.
Pressing dial on her number, I listen to the ringtone.
“Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling today?”
“Better.” I glance around the room that’s decorated in dark gray and white. “Liam’s really good to me.”
“Are you still staying at his home?”
“Yeah, but not for much longer. I have to go home at some point.”
“You really think that man will let you go back to your apartment after he moved me out of mine?”
Shit. Good point.
My eyebrow lifts as I consider this. “Maybe he’ll move me to where you are? I have no idea. We haven’t talked about it yet.” Wanting to set Mom at ease, I add, “He’s doing what’s best for us.”
“It’s not that I’m ungrateful, sweetheart. It’s just, your father put the fear of God in me before you were born, and with all the secrecy over the years… I’m just scared the mafia will end up killing us.”
“I understand,” I murmur. “But Liam won’t let that happen.” I let out a deep breath, then admit, “I trust him, Mom.”
“As long as you’re safe, sweetheart. You’re all I have.”
“You won’t lose me. I’m made of tough stuff,” I joke.
“How are you feeling after the attack and your dad’s passing? Gosh, I wish I could hug you now.”
“Honestly, I feel so guilty.” My voice breaks, and I have to swallow hard on the sudden urge to cry. “If Dad hadn’t heard I was attacked, he’d still be here.”
“Don’t do that to yourself, sweetie. It wasn’t your fault. Anything could’ve made his heart give out, and you weren’t the one who told him.”
Doesn’t make me feel better.
“How are the bruises healing?” she changes the subject.
“They’re fading. At least I’ll be able to cover them with makeup.”
“Are you going back to work soon?”
“Yes, sitting around like this will only drive me insane.” I lie back on the bed and stare up at the ceiling. “Tell me about the place you’re staying at.”
“Like I told you, it’s half a castle,” Mom mutters. “If Rowan leaves me alone long enough, I might just get lost.”
I let out a chuckle. “Are you getting along with your guards?”
“Yes, the boys are already buzzing around me, waiting for lunch.”
A smile curves my lips. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Let me go feed the vultures,” she mutters, but there’s no sting to her tone telling me she likes having the company.
“Okay. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetie.”
Ending the call, I drop the phone on the bed, feeling relieved that Mom’s adjusting well to the situation she’s been dragged into.
Needing to keep busy, I started with dinner, hoping Liam will be okay with the food I make.
Maybe I first should’ve asked him?
He drinks the coffee you make, he’ll eat the food too. Chill.
The aroma of chicken fried steaks and mashed potatoes hangs in the air when Liam walks into the foyer.
He talks to Declan for a moment and waits for my guard to leave before he walks to the kitchen. Unbuttoning his jacket, he takes it off while his eyes scan over me. “You cooked?”
“Comfort food. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. Smells good.”
Laying his jacket down on the counter, he takes hold of my arm and presses a kiss to my forehead.
Couple.
He pulls back and smiles down at me. “How was your day?”
“Good.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips, the nervous energy I’ve been feeling around him buzzing to life in my stomach. “I had a long conversation with my mom that made me feel better.” He looks pleased with my reply. “How was your day?”
“Got a lot done. Devon was glad to hear he got a promotion.” Liam goes to the fridge and takes out a bottle of water.
“Oh yeah?”
He nods. “I made him director.”
“Who are you going to put in his place?”
“Denise.”
A smile spreads over my face. “Really? Have you told her? What was her reaction?”
He shakes his head. “She’ll find out tomorrow.”
“I’m so not staying home.”
Liam lets out a chuckle. “You know this means you’ll be alone at reception for a while?”
“I don’t mind.” A sneaky grin forms on my face. “I’ll get Declan to help out.”
Laughing, Liam says, “Good luck with that.”
Gesturing to the plates of food, I ask, “Do you need time to unwind, or can we eat?”
He glances at the food. “You made everything yourself, right?”
I nod quickly but then say, “But I won’t take offense if you can’t eat it.”
He shakes his head, and reaching past me, he picks up a plate. “As long as you made it, I’m fine.”
Be still my heart.
“You want a glass of wine?” I ask as I carry my plate to the living room.
“You sit. I’ll get us some,” he says.
Plopping down on the couch, I cross my legs beneath me and set my plate down on my lap.
I hope the chicken isn’t too dry.
Cutting off a piece, I pop it in my mouth.
Damn, not bad if I have to say so myself.
Liam comes back and sets the glasses of wine down on the coffee table before taking a seat across from me. I watch him closely as he takes a bite.
My eyebrows lift, my heart beating a little faster.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You’re taking over the cooking duties from now on.”
A wide smile spreads over my face. “It’s not too dry?”
He shakes his head. “It’s perfect.”
With the relaxed atmosphere back now that Liam’s home, we enjoy our meal while slowly sipping the wine.
Liam swallows the last bite, then sets his plate down on the coffee table. “After I’ve showered, we need to talk.”
“About?” I ask before finishing the last of my wine.
“Where to go from here.”
Right. I can’t stay here forever.
At some point, I have to get back to my life and face my problems on my own.
“I’ll clean up,” I murmur as I get up and gather the plates and glasses. I walk to the kitchen and load the dishes into the dishwasher.
I hear him head up the stairs while I try to ignore the fact even though the past week and a half has been the worst of my life, I’ve fallen for Liam.
God, I don’t know how to just go back to being his employee.
