Liam Read online

  She sighed and stepped into the shower. Meg didn’t have time to think about this. If he wanted to leave, she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Either way she’d be losing him.

  *

  Liam sat quietly on the couch. Visiting Reed and Olivia hadn’t really been what he was expecting to do that day, but turning down Olivia wasn’t something he wanted to do either. He watched as she rocked quietly in her arms and smiled.

  “Reed will be right out.” She grinned. “Violet decided she didn’t like his shirt.”

  Liam frowned. He wasn’t really used to babies, so he wasn’t sure what she did, but he sure didn’t want it happening to him.

  A buzzer went off in the kitchen.

  “Oh, the lasagna.” Olivia jumped up and walked over to him. “Would you mind holding her while I get that?”

  She placed Violet in his arms and didn’t wait for a reply before racing off.

  He cradled her carefully in his arms and looked down at her pudgy little face.

  The doorbell rang, and he jumped.

  “Can you get that?” Olivia called from the kitchen.

  Liam stood awkwardly and made his way slowly to the door. He opened the door and stood there, stunned.

  Meg waited on the other side and stared at him, equally shocked.

  He glanced down at the baby in his arms.

  “Olivia had to check the lasagna,” he said without thinking.

  Liam stepped back as she came in and closed the door.

  Her mouth quirked up. “And you got baby duty?”

  He nodded and looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on her exposed breasts.

  “You look great,” he said quietly.

  Meg looked down and smiled. “Thanks,” she said. “I picked it out with Nicolas.”

  He frowned. Nicolas? Anger burned through him. She was wearing a dress that she had picked out with another man. Had he been with her when she tried it on? What if she had worn it just for him?

  Liam swallowed, the room suddenly smaller than before.

  “Let me see my sweet little niece,” she said and held out her arms.

  He tried not to watch the way the fabric loosened, making it so he was able to more clearly see her breasts as he handed over the baby.

  She snuggled down against Meg and cooed. He had to admit she really did have a way with children.

  “You’re going to make a great mom,” Olivia said from the door to the kitchen.

  They both watched as she came in and sat down on the couch next to him. Meg took the arm chair. Olivia handed them both a glass of lemonade.

  “Thanks.” Meg grinned. “I’d like to have four.”

  “Four?” Liam choked on his drink.

  They stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

  “What’s wrong with four?” Meg asked, setting Violet to face out.

  Liam stared at the three sets of eyes on him and swallowed. Being stared down by one woman was hard enough, but three was damn near brutal.

  “Nothing,” he mumbled.

  He watched as Meg kissed the baby on the head and passed her back to her mother. When she looked his way, he felt the weight of her stare.

  “I always liked having all the family around,” Meg said and wrinkled her nose. “Even if I was the only girl. It was fun, and the house was always full of happiness.”

  Olivia smiled at her. “That’s so wonderful,” she said wistfully.

  Liam wondered if she had heard from her own brother. Ben had fallen in with the wrong sort and, after some help from Finn, had been able to only narrowly escape trouble. Not being able to see her younger brother seemed to be hard for Olivia, but it was better than the alternative, being able to visit his grave.

  “What about you, Liam?” Olivia turned to him, and he froze. “Do you want children?”

  He could see Meg lean forward in her chair from the corner of his eye.

  “I hadn’t really…” He looked between them. Sweat beaded on his head.

  “Are you all in here grilling him on babies?” Reed stepped into the room, and Liam breathed a sigh of relief.

  “It’s a reasonable question,” Olivia said to him.

  Reed laughed, and Liam felt the tension from earlier float away.

  “Let’s give him the chance to meet someone before that happens,” Reed said lightly.

  Everyone froze when the glass hit the carpeted floor.

  “Oh shit,” Meg said. She tried to mop up the mess. “Sorry, Liv.”

  Reed went in the kitchen and came out with a towel.

  “No big deal,” he said. “This is why they are stain resistant.”

  He watched as Reed cleaned up the mess, and Meg fidgeted in her chair.

  “Well,” Olivia said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “How about dinner?”

  *

  Meg barely followed the conversation as they ate dinner. It was clear what was on her brother and sister-in-law’s mind when they invited Liam and Meg. But what was the point if they were just going to end up in the same spot again?

  Liam tapped her on the arm, and she looked over to him. He nodded his head toward Olivia.

  She turned and smiled. “Sorry,” she said to her new sister. “I was thinking.”

  “I’m sure.” Olivia frowned. “It hasn’t been a very happy return home, what with the break in.”

  Meg nodded to cover herself.

  “It wasn’t ideal, but we’ll figure it out.” She smiled. “Tonight will be round two of the stakeout.”

  Liam set his glass hard on the table, startling her.

  “I’ve told you,” he said to Meg. “It’s dangerous, and I can do it without you.”

  Meg turned to glare at him. “You can barely keep yourself upright you’re so tired,” she spat back. “It’s my house, and I’ll sit outside if I want to.

  Liam’s face turned red as he stared at her, and she wondered if she shouldn’t have mentioned the lack of sleep, but she wanted him to try and stop keeping her from doing what she knew best.

  Reed cleared his throat but said nothing. Perhaps her brother didn’t want to put himself in the middle of an argument that wasn’t strictly professional.

  “So.” Olivia’s awkward voice drifted across the table as they continued to stare each other down. “I love your dress. Did you pick that up there?”

  Meg smiled slyly as she continued to look at Liam. “Yes,” she said. “Nicolas helped me pick it out.” She turned to look at Olivia when Liam’s face turned a deeper shade of red.

  “I just love the look of it.” Olivia smiled. “I think it would be hard to find something to wear underneath it.”

  Meg glanced to Liam. “It is,” she said. “So I just decided not to.”

  Liam’s chair echoed in the small dining area as he rose. “I’ve got to use the restroom.”

  Meg watched with satisfaction as he stomped up the stairs.

  “You did that on purpose,” Reed said, shooting her a stern look from across the table.

  “No shit,” she replied.

  Olivia stood and gathered Violet in her arms.

  “I think it’s time for bed,” she said to them both.

  Meg stood and kissed the sleepy little girl.

  “Go easy on him,” Olivia whispered.

  Meg stared back at her not knowing or caring which him she was talking about. “Not a chance,” she said firmly.

  Olivia sighed and took the baby upstairs to bed.

  Meg turned around to stare at her brother.

  “Texas?” she said quietly.

  His eyebrows sprang up in surprise.

  “I’m surprised he told you.” He stood to clear off the table.

  “And I was surprised you didn’t.” She glared at him as she gathered plates.

  She followed him into the kitchen and set the plates in the sink.

  “It wasn’t for me to tell you,” Reed said and turned on the hot water.

  He started rinsing off the plates and placing them in the
dish washer.

  “Why?” she whispered. “You had to know how I’d feel about this.”

  He stopped for a moment. His shoulders hunched over in defeat.

  “I did,” he said and turned to look at her, his eyes filled with pity. “For years we’ve watched you chase him and nothing. Not even a little. How long am I supposed to let my baby sister waste her life away waiting on someone to notice her, who likely never will?”

  Meg stomped over to him and poked her brother in the chest.

  “What the hell gives you the right to make those decisions for me?” Her heart swam up near her throat. “I’m not a child.”

  Reed stared at her a moment before speaking. “No,” he said. “You aren’t a child, but you are certainly acting like one.”

  An arrow through the heart would have hurt less.

  “I’m thinking of going back to London. To live,” she said quietly. “There’s a lot to learn from them there.”

  She was shaking when Reed opened his mouth, but it was Liam who spoke first from behind her.

  “London?” She turned and found him standing in the door.

  Meg nodded. “I was thinking about it while I was there,” she said and looked down. “I’d have a job with John and Nicolas. They’ve offered a place for me.”

  Reed frowned but said nothing.

  “So that’s it? You’d just leave to live with them?” Liam said. He stared at her with open anger.

  “What’s the point?” she whispered. “I just…” Tears choked her words. “I’ve got to go.”

  Meg pushed past Liam to gather her things in the living room. She paused when she saw Olivia standing at the foot of the stairs.

  “What’s going on?” Olivia asked.

  They watched as Liam and Reed rushed into the room.

  “Meg, wait,” Reed said and moved toward her.

  “Thanks for dinner,” she mumbled and raced to the door. Meg sighed in relief when she was on the other side of the door. She slowly made her way through the dark to her car and leaned back against the cold surface. The tears came easily this time. She wondered if things could ever be the same between any of them.

  Chapter Eight

  “Go after her,” Olivia said firmly to Liam.

  He stood rooted to the floor.

  “Liv, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” he said.

  Liam turned to see her giving Reed a hard stare. “You stared all this.” She pointed a finger at him and moved in Reed’s direction. “I told you things would turn out bad.” Reed stood staring at his wife in shock. “And you…” She whirled around to stare at Liam. “And you. Make up your damn mind. You’d be lucky to have Meg.”

  “I know,” he said simply.

  She blinked a few times.

  “Well, then go get her,” she said softly.

  Not really thinking, his feet moved of their own volition.

  One second he was in the house, and the next he was following the soft sobbing on the other side of her car.

  “Meg,” he said softly when he reached her.

  “Go away,” she groaned and turned the other direction.

  He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and turned her toward him.

  “I can’t,” he said. “Not with you like this.”

  Meg turned to look at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “What do you care?” she sobbed.

  “I do.” He pulled her to his chest and sighed at the feel of her.

  “Whatever.” Meg pushed him away and wiped off her face. “You’ll move to Texas, and I’ll move to London.”

  His face hardened at the thought. “No,” he said firmly.

  She frowned at him. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  Liam shook his head. “No way I’m letting you move to London to be with them.” Anger flowed through him as he thought about all the ways they would use his Meg.

  “I don’t think you get a vote.” She crossed her arms.

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said and swooped down to take her mouth. Her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt, and she sighed into him.

  Liam planted soft kisses along her neck and jaw. “Tell me you weren’t with them,” he whispered in her ear. She shuddered in his arms.

  “I’m not their type,” she said.

  Liam pulled back to look at her and frowned.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He stared at her.

  Meg rolled her eyes. “It means that they are a couple, asshole,” she said.

  A smile spread to his face. She hadn’t been with them.

  “Thank God,” he said and took her mouth again. He pressed her back against the car and slipped his hands into her soft hair as he kissed her.

  His body ached to do more as he held her in his arms, but it wasn’t the time for that. Meg opened her eyes and looked up at him when he pulled away.

  “Does this mean you aren’t going to Texas?” she asked shyly.

  Liam stepped back a little surprised. “I don’t really know what this means,” he said frankly. It wasn’t his intent to hurt her, but she couldn’t think he would be willing to make some sort of commitment off a few kisses.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket. Liam pulled it out and read the text from Finn.

  Meeting in 20.

  Liam sighed. His brother sure did have good timing.

  “Can we talk about this later?” He looked to his phone and back to her.

  Meg swung her car door, only narrowly missing him.

  “I tell you what.” She climbed in the car and rolled down the window. “Why don’t you give me a call when you know what it is you want. Because I’m done.”

  “Meg,” he pleaded.

  She shook her head and started the car. “Enough, Liam,” she said put her hands firmly on the wheel. “I’m tired of telling you that I’m in love with you and getting nothing in return. I’m done.”

  He watched in shock as she rolled up her window and drove away.

  She had done it. She’d told him she loved him. Meg groaned. She told him in the lamest way possible.

  Meg punched the gas in her car and enjoyed the feel of it jerking forward. She’d had enough of this crap. Liam thought he could use her like a yo-yo. It just wasn’t fair, and there was no way in hell she was going to put up with this again. How many times was she going to let him hurt her?

  When she walked into her parents’ house, she was surprised to find them still awake in the living room. Harley sat patiently by her mother’s feet in hopes of something yummy.

  “How was dinner?” her mother asked.

  Meg plastered on a happy face. “It was fine.”

  She paused to swipe some popcorn out of the bowl. Her mother watched her carefully.

  “I’m going to go back to my place,” she said.

  “Is it safe?” her mother asked.

  Meg nodded. “It should be. Whoever it was knows I’m home now.”

  Her mother looked to her father.

  “Oh, poor Harley will miss out on the date with his girlfriends,” she said and looked sadly down at the dog.

  Meg glanced at her father, who was trying not to roll his eyes.

  “Well how about he stays one more night, and I’ll come get him tomorrow,” Meg said.

  Her mother smiled at her and patted the sweet dog on the head. “He just loves seeing all the girls,” her mother said.

  Meg snorted. She could bet he did.

  Her mother shot her an irritated look. Meg hurried to her room to pack her bag. She was tired of living out of a suitcase, and she was even more tired of having to follow someone else’s rules. It would be nice to sleep in her own bed. If someone tried to come in, she had no problem letting them look down the barrel of her gun.

  *

  Liam drove to Finn’s house in silence, feeling equal parts irritated and happy. Knowing she hadn’t been with either of the men in London was such a relief. As much as he tried to fight it, there was somet
hing between them. Liam frowned. He just couldn’t understand why she needed to figure it all out right now. Couldn’t they just see where things went? What was the point in saying that she loved him?

  His heart twisted at her words. She had seemed so defeated. Liam didn’t want to be that for her. He wanted to be so much more than that.

  He sighed. Of course, that wouldn’t really work if either of them decided to live somewhere else. But if things were going well between them, he couldn’t think of any reason why he would want to move. Why couldn’t she see that?

  When the car came to a stop outside Finn’s house, he grunted in irritation.

  His phone startled him from his thoughts. Without looking at the name, he answered the phone.

  “What?” he said gruffly into the line.

  “Is that any way to speak to your mother?” his mother spoke sharply.

  “Oh, Mom.” He sighed in frustration. “I didn’t realize it was you.”

  “Is that how you speak to your friends?” she snapped at him.

  She wouldn’t understand. He really had no friends. Sure, he liked the Allens, but most of them were busy with family affairs, and he didn’t spend a lot of time with anyone outside of work. He figured it was a good thing he worked as much as he did.

  “No, Mom,” he said and scrubbed his face. “I’m just tired.”

  “Oh, Liam,” she soothed him. “Are you not taking care of yourself?”

  He chuckled. She was always the worrier.

  “I’m fine, Mom,” Liam said and smiled.

  “Not that I would know,” she huffed to him. “You haven’t been to see me in over a month.”

  He counted in his head and found she was right.

  “Sorrym Mom.” He felt bad that he hadn’t been to see her recently. “Things have just been busy.”

  Silence came over the line. “I know what busy means for you. It means danger. Do you really have to keep up this work?”

  Liam sighed. It was the same argument they had every time he talked, and he remembered why he hadn’t been to see her recently.

  “Mom,” he said, his tone a clear warning.

  “Fine, fine,” she dismissed him. “I won’t harp. I called to see if you want to come for dinner Friday.”

  Liam thought for a moment. “I can do that,” he said. “See you in a couple days.”