Liam Read online

  “It’s…” Liam sighed. He looked just as tired as she felt. “It’s complicated.”

  “Well then try to explain.” she turned in her seat to look at him.

  “Some things came up recently that have changed the situation slightly,” he said and groaned. “Or not. I don’t know.”

  Meg rolled her eyes. “Great. So it’s clear as mud now.”

  “I’m…” He gripped the steering wheel tight. “I’m his half-brother. Finn and Ennis are my half-brothers. We share the same father.”

  Her eyes shot up in surprise. “Are you sure?”

  “It matches up.”

  Meg stared at his tense body. She knew this had to be hard on him. That side of the family had always been something he tried to avoid.

  “Have you asked your mom?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “My mom.” He squirmed a little. “She was wasn’t a willing participant from what I gather.”

  Meg gasped in shock. “Oh, Liam,” she said softly.

  No wonder his mother was so adamant about keeping him away from that side of the family.

  “This has got to be eating her up inside,” Meg said. “You’ve got to talk to her.”

  They stopped at a light, and he looked over at her. Anger was etched on his face.

  “How?” He tossed his hands up. “How the hell am I supposed to bring up something so painful to her?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I can’t,” he said and turned around when the light turned green.

  They drove in silence for a bit before she spoke again.

  “Are you going to take the job?”

  He sighed. “It’s good money, but I don’t know if I can do that to my mom. Besides, there are other options for money.”

  Meg waited for him to go on.

  “Like?” she asked.

  Liam scrubbed a hand over his face. The shave from this morning was starting to grow back. She could make out the slight shadow.

  “Reed offered me a new position,” he said.

  “That’s great,” Meg said excitedly. She would much rather he was with her family. It was the only chance she’d get to even see him.

  “It’s in Texas,” he said quietly.

  Her heart fell.

  Chapter Five

  Liam knew it would be a shock to her. Hell, it had been a shock to him.

  “Texas?” she repeated.

  “He says it’s a good spot,” Liam said. “Land is cheap, and there’s a lot of traffic there from a lot of South American countries that cause problems. Johnny and Trent are planning on joining, so we’d have their military experience.”

  He stopped outside her place and turned to look at her. All the color had drained from her face. When she turned to smile at him, he felt his stomach twist at the unnaturalness of her expression.

  “Well,” she said, continuing to smile at him. “Congratulations.”

  She jumped out of the car, and he watched as she struggled to get the back open. Liam turned off the car and went around to help.

  “I’ve got it,” she snapped at him.

  He could see her hands shake as she popped the back hatch and attempted to pull out the bag.

  “Just let me help.” He slid in next to her.

  Meg jerked away, the suitcase along with her. She stumbled back in her high heels and only stopped when he wrapped an arm firmly behind her.

  She stared, stunned, back up at him. Not even meaning to, he pulled her in just a little closer.

  “I should just…” Meg pushed at his chest a little and stood on her feet. She fell forward hard into his chest. “Oh no!” she cried.

  Liam looked down and saw the heel of her shoe hung oddly.

  “Brand new,” she moaned.

  “They looked good,” he said quietly.

  When she looked up to him, he almost wished he hadn’t said anything. “Why didn’t you say anything about my hair?” she asked quietly.

  Her wide doe eyes stared at him from under thick lashes.

  “Why did you go to London?” he bristled.

  Meg frowned. “To learn new skills from John and Nicolas.” She took her shoe off and stepped back. “Why didn’t you tell me about Reed’s offer before?”

  “Because I wasn’t sure,” he said and stepped forward.

  “Sure? Sure about what?” She backed up against the car. “What does that even mean?”

  He took another few steps forward until he was standing right in front of her.

  “Sure about anything.”

  The warm air of the last days of summer carried the smell of her perfume in the breeze. It intensified the closer he got. Liam groaned and placed a hand against the car above her head. When he leaned in, her eyes grew larger.

  “Were you with either of them?” he asked quietly.

  She licked her lips. “With who?”

  “John and Nicolas,” he ground out. He moved his face closer to hers. He wanted nothing more than to bury his head into her neck and suck on the sensitive skin there.

  He jumped back when she laughed loudly.

  “Is that what this is all about?” Meg pushed past him and grabbed her bag. “That’s just fucking awesome. I think I’ve made progress with you, and you’re just jealous.”

  He watched, stunned as she pulled her giant bag up the stairs.

  Meg grunted as she yanked the bag up the stairs to her house. It was much easier now that her shoes were long forgotten in the street. Only two more stairs, and she could shut the door on all the bullshit.

  She stilled when a hand settled on hers.

  “Wait,” Liam said.

  “Wait? Wait for what, Liam?” She shook his hand off of hers and tossed it in the air. “I’ve been waiting, and it doesn’t seem to matter. And when someone starts to show the slightest interest in me, you run them off.”

  “What, you wanted Lewis?” he nearly shouted.

  “No,” she shouted back. “I want you.”

  They stood, staring each other in the eye. For the first time, she found herself able to stare directly at him thanks to her steps.

  “I can’t,” he said. Emotion colored his words.

  Meg laughed bitterly. “Oh, I know this speech. I can’t, but don’t be with anyone else. I can’t, but let me kiss you and get your hopes up. I can’t. I’m too busy fucking with your emotions.”

  “It’s not like that,” he said firmly and walked up one step.

  “It’s not?” she threw back at him. Anger seeped into every part of her.

  “No,” he said and stomped the rest of the way up the stairs. “I can’t.” He took another step until he was right in front of her. “I can’t, but I want to. Every waking second I want to.”

  Her heart thumped wildly in her chest and when she looked up. She saw her own desires reflected back in his eyes.

  “I have to try so hard not to beat the shit out of every man that looks at you,” he said and stepped even closer.

  Meg licked her lips as she stared at him. “Maybe you should just give in,” she suggested.

  “It’s dangerous,” he whispered. His head still moved forward.

  “So is our job,” she whispered back.

  Liam groaned and swooped down. She groaned when his mouth met hers. It was fierce. Her arms wound around his neck, and she pressed her breasts against his hard chest.

  Meg sighed when his tongue traced the seam of her lips. She opened her mouth and slid her own tongue against his, loving the feel of his mouth sliding into her mouth. He groaned when she bumped against his body. She grinned as they kissed.

  Liam pulled his head back. She groaned when he lifted her legs to wind around his middle and pressed her into the wall.

  “Better,” he growled.

  Her hot center pressed firmly against him, she moaned in his arms. She kissed along his jaw and made her way along his neck to his ear.

  “Remember what I said I’d do if you kissed me again?” she whispered in his ear.
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br />   Liam shivered, and she knew he remembered.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently bit his earlobe. She sucked it into her mouth and flicked her tongue a few times.

  “Fuck,” he groaned.

  His hips moved forward, and they both groaned.

  “Liam,” she whispered in his ear. “I need more.”

  He paused, and she wondered if he was going to run like he had every other time before.

  “I’m going to hell,” he mumbled.

  Still holding her in his arms, they made their way to the door. When he opened the screen and leaned her against the door, she yelped as they fell through.

  “What the fuck?” he shouted.

  She slipped down from his body and peered into the darkness.

  Liam flipped on the light. Meg gasped.

  Her living room was destroyed. The slashed cushions of her furniture had released their soft innards into the room. Two chairs lay on their sides. Miscellaneous books and DVD cases littered the floor.

  “My house,” she whispered. “Someone was in my house.”

  Room by room, they walked through the house. The invader was long gone, but the destruction left was enough to make her sick. They had torn through the place. Oddly, the kitchen had been left mostly alone, but she assumed that was just been because there wasn’t much of interest in there.

  “It just doesn’t make sense,” Liam mumbled, as they surveyed the material carnage in her bedroom. “They weren’t looking for valuables. Otherwise, they would have taken your jewelry.”

  “But they dumped it out.” She looked at the jewelry all over her bedroom floor.

  “They were looking for something,” he said. He held his phone in his hand, still scanning around. “Kace? Sorry to bother you, but we’re going to need your help. Someone broke into Meg’s house.” He paused as he looked at her. “Fine. She’s fine. Don’t tell Reed. No need to ruin his night. If you could get some of your old friends on the force over here, that would be great.” He snapped the phone shut.

  She looked around as she listened to him on the phone. Her drawers were open but not everything had been removed. Papers littered the floor. All the boxes in the closet had been thoroughly ransacked.

  “Papers?” She looked at the mess.

  “Do you have anything someone might want?”

  She shook her head. There was nothing she had that someone would want. Even her house wasn’t anything special.

  “Seems like a crime of opportunity. You were gone, Harley was at your parents, and no one would be by,” he said.

  She nodded. It did seem that way. Meg sat hard on the bed. This was not how she thought she’d be spending her night. She yawned, barely able to keep her eyes open.

  “They will be here soon,” he said and stood in front of her.

  All she could think to do was nod.

  Liam cleared his throat. “Maybe we should go make some coffee.”

  Meg stood and followed him through the house. She knew he was just looking for something to keep her distracted. Not that she minded. At that moment, she needed something else to focus on. She sat at the table with the steaming cup, trying not to think about how violated she felt.

  A knock came at the door. She jumped.

  Liam held up a hand, his other firmly on his gun. “You wait here,” he said.

  She watched from around the corner as he went to the door. When he peered out, his stance relaxed. He swung open the door, and Kace walked in.

  “They should be here in just a few,” he said. His eyes landed on her, and she felt even more exhausted.

  “How’s she holding up?” he whispered loudly.

  “She’s fine and not deaf by the way,” Meg bit out.

  Kace walked in and looked at her. “Well you don’t look fine.”

  “You stay up forty hours and see how pretty you are.” She frowned.

  “I’m taking her to your parents’ house,” Liam said.

  Kace nodded.

  “I don’t think I got the memo on that,” Meg said. She stood and glared at Liam.

  Another knock came at the door. Kace left them to answer it. She watched as police filed into her small house.

  “It’s going to be like this for hours,” Liam said.

  She looked over at him and swayed from exhaustion.

  “Fine,” she said. “I’ll just get my keys and go.”

  She stopped when he grabbed her arm.

  “You can’t even stand, and you think I’m going to let you drive?” His jaw twitched.

  “It’s not a big deal,” she whispered.

  He stared at her for a moment and stepped forward. “It is,” he said softly. “I can’t let you take that risk when you’re so important.” He paused and closed his eyes. “To me.”

  A lump formed in her throat.

  “Okay,” she whispered to him.

  Liam opened his eyes and stared at her for a moment before he nodded.

  “I’ll get your bag,” he said. “Go ahead to the car. Just let me talk with Kace for a moment.”

  Bleary eyed, she made her way to the car and waited.

  Liam watched her walk out the door. He didn’t really know if it had been such a good idea to tell her those things, but he just couldn’t stop himself. There was such a large part of him that wanted to say fuck it and be with her. But the idea of her in the hands of the Russians sent a cold chill through him, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe, including deny himself the one thing he wanted.

  Kace walked over to him after talking with a few of the officers.

  “What are your thoughts?” Kace asked as he surveyed the house.

  Liam looked at the mess. “It’s not random,” he said and turned back to Kace. “No jewelry was taken, and it doesn’t look like they were looking for cards or cash.”

  “Meg have anything worth going through her accounts over?” Kace asked.

  Liam shrugged. “Not that she can think of. No money, no connections. It just doesn’t really make sense.”

  “Well, all the guys can really do is take photos and check for prints.” Kace sighed. “I’m going to lay it out here, it’s not looking like they will find anything. Whoever did this knew how to avoid getting caught.”

  Liam nodded. He had to agree. It might not make sense, but Meg was being targeted.

  “What about those guys in London?” he asked suspiciously.

  Kace laughed. “You really hate them, huh?”

  He frowned. Liam did hate them. They had convinced sweet Meg to go away for the summer and do God knows what.

  “Listen, if it will make you feel any better. I’ll check into those guys. Reed already has a file on them, so it shouldn’t be hard.” Kace placed a hand on his shoulder. “For now, take her to my parents’ house. I’ll give them a call, so they know you’re on your way.”

  Liam nodded. “I’ll come back after dropping her off.”

  Kace frowned at him. “Sure you shouldn’t get some shuteye? You look like you haven’t slept in weeks.”

  “I’m fine,” he said. His jaw clenched in irritation. Truth was, he hadn’t slept in weeks, but one more night wasn’t going to make much a difference.

  Kace held up his hands. “Okay, see you soon.”

  Liam turned without a word and walked back to his car with the suitcase. He opened the back and tossed in the luggage. When he climbed in the car, he looked over to a sleeping Meg and groaned. He’d told her to wait in the car, not even thinking there might be a danger. If anyone had come, she wouldn’t even had been awake to try and fight them off. His fingers bit into the steering wheel. So many things could go wrong, and he just didn’t know if he could keep her safe.

  He pulled away from the curb and drove along in silence, thinking over all the groups that might be responsible. There were so many, he didn’t even know if he could name them all. Anger coursed through him at the thought of Reed. All this time, he had been putting his sister in danger like that.
What the hell had he been thinking? If it weren’t his wedding night, Liam might have had let him have it over all this.

  Liam sighed and looked at Meg. Not that she was any help. From day one, she had pushed to do assignments just like the rest of them, and he had to give her props from being about the best shot of all of them. She might not be as strong as them, but she more than made up for it with wit and determination. He’d never met anyone quite like her.

  They pulled in front of her parents’ house. Her mother waited at the door. Liam hopped out and raced to the other side before her father could make it out. He opened the door and slipped his arms under her to carry her out.

  Her eyes blinked open as she wound her arms around his neck. It was so comfortable, like they had been doing it for years.

  “Where am I?” she asked sleepily.

  “Your mom and dad’s house,” he said quietly. “Go back to sleep.”

  Meg nestled up against his chest and he felt a swell of pride that she was so comfortable with him.

  Mrs. Allen opened the door for him and ushered them into Meg’s old bedroom.

  “Just set her on the bed,” Mrs. Allen said.

  Liam laid her gently on the bed and smoothed her hair. He pulled a blanket from the bottom and covered her up.

  When he turned, her mother was watching him closely.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ll just get her bag,” he whispered.

  Liam quickly went to the car and carried in the bag to the bedroom.

  He gave a quick glance back at Meg and followed her mother into the living room.

  “I’m so glad you were there for her,” she said to him. “You are a good man.”

  His face burned with guilt.

  “I’m really not,” he said quietly.

  Mrs. Allen gripped his hands. “You are,” she said firmly. He could see the same blaze he often saw with Meg. “If this is about Finn, family is family, and as far as that goes, you could do worse.”

  His eyes widened with shock.

  “Oh, didn’t think I knew his line of work, did you?” She grinned.

  Liam shook his head, and she chuckled.

  “Now stop beating yourself up so much and get some sleep,” she said and patted his cheek. “It’s not good for you.”

  He gave a weak smile. It really hadn’t been what he was expecting. He’d been expecting something more like, “Stay away from my daughter.”