Considering I slept in Liam’s bed for the first time, I didn’t wake once, and there were no nightmares.
And he woke me up with kisses.
Needless to say, I’ve fallen head over heels for the man.
After getting ready for work, I head downstairs but stop halfway when I see Liam in the foyer, where he’s talking to Will and Declan.
“Still can’t believe it,” Will says. “Never thought I’d live to see the day you fall for a woman.”
“Shut up,” Liam growls at his friend, then turns his attention to Declan. “You don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Aye, boss.”
“No sign of Finn?” Liam asks.
“Nothing. Can’t track the fucker’s phone either. He probably disabled it after calling you,” Will replies, a frustrated frown settling on his forehead.
Liam mutters, “Fuck. I want him found.” He looks at Will, his expression grim.
Seeing Liam in mafia mode, my eyes widen.
“Luca’s funds cleaned and transferred?” he asks Will.
Will nods. “Yeah, it’s back in his account.”
“Good. And the shipment of incendiary grenades?”
“Reached Nikolas at three this morning.”
Liam takes a deep breath, adjusting his tie. “At least that’s done.”
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, because seeing Liam in his role as head of the mafia is really, really hot.
“We have new soldiers joining,” Will informs Liam. “When do you want to hold the ceremony?”
“After we’ve dealt with Finn.”
Liam glances toward the stairs, and it has me moving. “Morning,” I say, hoping he doesn’t realize I eavesdropped.
“Morning.” Will smiles at me. Declan just nods.
Liam holds his hand out to me. “Ready?”
I place my palm in his, eagerly pressing into his side. “Yes, boss,” I tease him, making Will chuckle.
Liam looks down at me, the corner of his mouth lifting in a hot smirk.
Does he know I listened in on their conversation?
He presses a kiss to my forehead, then moves his mouth to my ear, murmuring, “You don’t have to hide when I’m talking business.”
Busted.
I nod, feeling relieved that he’s not hiding this side of his life from me.
We all step into the elevator, and only then do I think to ask, “What do I tell Denise?”
Liam glances down at me, his thumb brushing over mine. “Whatever you’re comfortable with sharing.”
“Is it okay if she finds out about us?”
“Soon, all of Chicago will know,” Will mumbles under his breath.
My head snaps to him. “What do you mean?”
“We’ll put out a press release today that the most eligible bachelor has been snatched up.”
Holy shit.
“You fucking do that, and you better run,” Liam growls.
Will just shrugs. “Got to keep up the pretense of successful CEO.”
The elevator doors open, and stepping out, there’s a group of men waiting – my guards and the ones for the penthouse.
Frowning, I look at Will again. “You’re not going to mention my name, right?”
Liam stops walking and tugs on my hand. “Would it bother you?”
“Ah… It’s not that it would bother me to be associated with you. I just don’t want my name out there.”
Will shakes his head. “It’s bound to happen. We won’t be able to keep it under wraps for long.”
Liam leads me to the SUV, opening the back door for me while Will and Declan get into the front.
This is different.
Liam slides in next to me, unbuttoning his jacket.
Leaning close to him, I whisper, “I like you better in sweatpants.”
He chuckles, takes my hand, and settles my palm on his thigh. “I like you better naked.”
“Oversharing,” Will mutters as he starts the engine.
The other three guards pile into another SUV, following close behind us as Will drives us to Byrne Enterprises.
When Will stops right in front of the entrance, I figure I’m going to have to tell Denise the truth seeing as she has a front-row view of us all getting out of the SUV.
“Enjoy your day, Mr. Byrne,” I tease as I start to walk away, but Liam grabs hold of my hand and yanks me back.
I plow into his chest, then his mouth is hot on mine. The kiss is downright possessive, and when he finally lets me breathe, he smirks, “You too, baby.”
With flushed cheeks, I walk into the lobby. Denise is watching me with raised eyebrows.
“Morning, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Gillen,” she greets Liam and Will, and as soon as they head for the elevators, she widens her eyes even more at me. “Someone has a lot to tell me.” Her eyes snap to Declan. “Can we help you, sir?”
“He’s with me. Declan. Denise,” I quickly introduce them. “Where can I get an extra chair for him.”
“I won’t be sittin’.” He moves to the wall, where he’ll have a clear view of the lobby and outside.
“He’s with you?” Denise asks.
Taking out my phone, I place my bag in the bottom drawer. I sit down, then reply. “Yeah, he’s one of my guards.”
Denise just blinks at me.
“So, a lot has happened,” I start, which has her nodding. “A little over a week ago, Finn attacked me, but he got away. Liam arranged guards to protect me until Finn is found,” I give her the short version.
Denise gapes at me. “Holy crap on a cracker, woman. When exactly did this happen?”
“The Friday of the board meeting.”
“I’m so sorry,” she breathes. “Are you okay?”
I nod, my lips curving up. “Thanks to Liam.”
“So you and Mr.-Don’t-touch-me?”
I let out a chuckle, my cheeks flushing. “Kinda happened fast. My head’s still spinning.”
“I’d say so. I’m still trying to get Will to take me to dinner,” she mutters, then her eyes widen. “I forgot to ask him how he’s holding up. He lost a good friend.”
Right. Will had to cancel their date.
The pang of grief hits, and I let the wave move through me. “It was my dad. He had a heart attack the Saturday after the assault. The funeral was this past Monday.”
Denise’s face fills with shock and compassion, then she pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, Kiara. Shit, you’ve had a crazy week.” Letting go, she asks, “Is there anything I can do?”
I shake my head. “Liam’s taken care of everything.”
“So, you’re a couple?” she asks.
“Yeah.” The smile returns to my face.
I’m dating Liam Byrne.
The internal line rings, and taking the call, I say, “Kiara speaking.”
“It’s Gina from HR. Please come up.”
“Okay.” Ending the call, I frown at Denise as I get up. “I have to go to HR.”
“Probably to sign a form for the days you were absent.”
“Right.” When I walk to the elevator, it opens, and Will comes out.
“Where are the two of you heading?”
Two?
I glance over my shoulder and see Declan right behind me. Turning my attention back to Will, I answer, “Up to HR.”
Stepping into the small space, I glance at Declan again.
“You can relax, Kiara. Pretend I’m not here.”
Giving Declan a smile, I ask, “How long have you worked for Liam?”
“Since I turned sixteen.”
“How old are you now?”
“Thirty-one.” Declan looks at me when the doors slide open, reminding me, “Your father trained me, so I’m more than capable of protectin’ you.” He waits for me to exit, then follows after me.
When we walk into Gina’s office, she smiles at us. “Before I forget, Liam wants Declan to have an access card. No restrictions.”
“You know each other?” I ask, gesturing between her and Declan.
“Yes,” Gina answers. “I’m aware of Liam’s other business.”
Okay. Who else knows?
Pointing at a form, she says, “Just sign here for me. I’m sorry for your loss. Jimmy was your father?”
I nod, and picking up a pen, I check to make sure the form is for the days I took off before scribbling my signature on the line.
Gina gives me a sympathetic smile as she takes the signed document. “That will be all.”
Walking back toward the elevator, I ask Declan, “Will you be okay standing the entire day?”
He nods. “Just pretend I’m not there.”
I shake my head, having no intention of doing that. “Seeing as you’ll be glued to my side, I’d rather get to know you. Maybe we can even become friends.”
I really want to get along with my guards.
The corner of his mouth lifts as he waits for me to walk into the elevator. “I’d like that.”
