Morgan eased out of his arms, only to get trapped by his eyes. Who knew such dark, intelligent eyes could become soft and passionate?
“I’d better —” Morgan was about to stand to give them both some space. With stress levels and adrenaline amped up, there was no telling what a docile hug could become. And the way his eyes lit from his soul, she knew there was not a woman who would turn him away, including herself. But now was not the time. And, unfortunately, the time may never come.
Before she could move away, he leaned in and kissed her. It was tentative at first, just like her hug had been, as if he was expecting her to pull away and slap him. But she didn’t. Instead, Morgan savored it. If she was going to die, she wanted one happy memory to take with her. Cherished memories were few and far between in recent years. And this one was definitely at the top of the charts.
Liam lightly traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, waiting patiently for her to kiss him back. It wasn’t a long wait, mere seconds before she opened up to him, allowing the back and forth play of sweet kisses. He wasn’t timid nor forceful. It was as if he was happy taking what was offered and not demanding more. Liam let go of his need to control and gifted it all to her. And somehow that made her absurdly pleased.
Chapter 15
Liam was drowning in Morgan’s kiss, the light wisps of her hair tickling his cheek, her tongue gently playing with his. He should have stopped himself from kissing her. He didn’t know what possessed him except for a spot of insanity and living in the moment, something he rarely did. But this kiss, it was everything right. He could not bring himself to be sorry for it.
However, as she slipped her arm around him, her injured arm pressed between them, reality brought him back. He broke the kiss and scooted back, away from her embrace.
Morgan stared at him silently, as if confused. When she lightly touched her kiss-swollen lips, he had to resist the urge to reach out for her again.
“Why did you stop?” she asked.
“I remembered your injury.” Liam could tell that his answer wasn’t the one she was looking for. “And because this isn’t the right place.”
She laughed softly. “There might not ever be a right place.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why not? I have no illusion about what will happen. If not today, then tomorrow, or the next day. It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve already planned for it.”
“You’ve planned?”
“Will is drawn, funeral services are paid for, burial too, if they find my body.”
Morgan spoke as if reading a shopping list. Was she really so prepared that she no longer felt that life was worth fighting for?
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Twenty-eight. You?”
“Thirty.” He couldn’t imagine preparing his final resting place now, let alone in his twenties. “Come here.” Liam reached out his hand to take Morgan’s.
She hesitated. “Why?”
“Does there need to be a reason?” With Morgan, there most definitely had to be a reason. She had so many walls erected around herself. He couldn’t imagine what it would have been like, living in fear for so long, not allowing yourself to get close to anyone in case they might become the bratva’s negotiation chess piece. “How about I’m cold? You stole my shirt.”
A smile twitched onto her lips as if she was fighting to stop it. “It’s hot, sweltering Vegas. You’re not cold.”
“I say I’m cold. Prove me wrong.”
“I know you’re wrong.”
“Prove it.”
She glared at him, he smiled back. He liked seeing her spirited, taciturn side. He’d rather see her annoyed than worried.
“Fine,” she huffed, reaching out to touch his shoulder. “See? You’re warm.”
Liam clasped his hand over hers, keeping her in place. “Then humor me.” He gently pulled her toward him, keeping in mind her injured arm.
“Stop.”
Before Morgan could form more of an argument, Liam had already deposited her on his lap, his arm circling around her waist.
“What are you doing?”
“Holding you.” He winced as she squirmed to free herself. He held her in place despite the sometimes painful and sometimes arousing jostling.
“I don’t need to be coddled.”
“Maybe I need to be near you.”
She stopped to look at him. “Why?”
He kissed her again if only to stop the endless questioning and arguing. But now that she was in his lap, her soft skin on his, the kiss veered from a silencing kiss to one of hunger and desperation.
His hand traveled up her leg to her waist, holding her as his lips traveled to her jaw, down to her neck. She smelled like heaven. If only they weren’t in a shed on a dirt floor. If only she was in his bed, underneath him, on top of him. Anywhere but here. But when she brought his mouth back to hers, a moan getting lost as their tongues connected, he didn’t care anymore. Nothing mattered anymore except for this one moment. When Morgan moved to straddle him, he lost all concept of space and time. There was nothing but her lips, hands, and sweet body molding against his. If she moved much more, he’d lose his mind.
Liam couldn’t stop himself from touching her, his hand cupping her breast, his thumb teasing with back and forth caresses. “Sweet angel,” he breathed. She was perfection.
A sound caught his attention, but it seemed far away, as if in a deep cave.
“Liam.”
“What, angel?”
“I think Dmitri is coming.”
The intense warm cloud he had been floating happily in was now ice. He shook his head, ridding himself of that last wonderful feeling. Morgan stood and stepped away. He felt that loss more acutely than he was comfortable with. He stood beside her, ready for Dmitri.
The sound of the bolt sliding open had him fisting his hands. He had no idea what was on the other side of the door, or what would happen once it was open. This could be the end. He stole one last glance at Morgan, understanding why she was always on edge. The fear that was pressing down against his chest, suffocating him, was probably an everyday occurrence to her.
Dmitri swung the door open, his gun pointed. “Come.”
Liam and Morgan shared one last glance before they followed Dmitri out into the darkening night.
* * *
Piper drove to the animal shelter in search of Greer. She had tried calling her sister on the phone, but there was no answer. Piper suspected she was cleaning out the cages and left her phone in her purse. When she pulled into the parking lot, she was relieved to find Greer’s car in back. Piper parked her truck next to it and ran up the walkway.
Piper knew the layout of the building, and everyone here knew her. She didn’t bother checking in at the front desk since it was common for her to stop in for a minute or two. Plus, it was getting late and most of the staff was probably gone for the day.
It didn’t take her long to locate Greer exactly where she thought she would be.
“Greer,” Piper called, gaining her attention through the sounds of yipping dogs.
Greer turned around, wearing yellow gloves up to her elbows. “Hey, Piper. What brings you here?” Greer smiled and leaned in to whisper, “Coming back to drool over the new doctor with me?”
“No, it’s about Morgan. I think she’s in trouble.”
“Morgan? In trouble?” Greer chuckled. “You’re speaking of our supreme, exalted sister. When has she ever been in trouble?”
“Papa Bear and Van said she goes to Vegas to work for the Russian mafia.”
“What? When did they say this?”
“Earlier today. I’ve been trying to reach Morgan and Liam, but I keep getting voicemail.”
“Liam’s with her?” Greer smiled. “I’m sure they don’t want to be disturbed.”
“That’s not the case.”
“Isn’t it?”
Piper crossed her arms. “You know Morgan. If she’s in Vegas, she’s working.
Papa Bear and Van know more than they’re letting on. I warned them that if they didn’t spill it, I’d come to you.”
Greer’s smile broadened. “And what did they say?”
“They fed me a few tidbits to get me off their backs, and then they said they didn’t know anything else.”
“Maybe they don’t. Morgan is secretive. Even we don’t know what she does in Vegas.”
“Something bad is going to happen. I can feel it. Liam’s brother, Trace, came in the office looking for someone named Reed Taylor. Do you know anyone by that name?”
Greer shook her head. “No, but I’m more curious about Liam’s brother. Is he as handsome as Liam?”
“You’re missing the point,” Piper said and then sighed. “No, he’s not as handsome, but he is cute. And he’s a sweet talker.”
“Did he flirt with you?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Was Van there?”
“Yes, Papa Bear and Van.”
Greer smiled again. “Interesting. Did Van seem upset Trace was flirting with you?”
“Greer, I need your help.” Piper was about to cry. Didn’t she understand how important this was? Van didn’t give a damn about her anyway. Why would he get upset if someone flirted with her?
“Yes, yes.” Greer pulled off her gloves and set them onto a cart. “Let me have a go at the boys. We’ll get all the details.”
Piper flung her arms around Greer, hugging her. With Greer on board, she’d be sure to get answers. She just hoped it wasn’t too late.
* * *
Morgan heaved sheets of steel into the shed, followed closely by Liam and Dmitri. Morgan had the only pair of gloves, and she hated to think of the punishment Liam’s hands were taking by hauling the rough metal. Dmitri didn’t seem to notice, but she knew Liam’s softer office hands had to be torn up by now. They’d been carrying load after load, and with each load, her fears were coming to fruition.
“How’s your arm?” Liam asked, tossing the last of the sheets onto the pile.
Morgan had torn off the makeshift sling at the beginning, knowing it’d only get in her way. Liam tried to argue, saying he could carry the load by himself. “It hurts, but it’s definitely not broken. I think I just bruised it really good. How are your hands?”
“Don’t worry about me, angel.”
Morgan turned away. When he’d first called her angel, he was kissing her and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Now, it made her nervous and tongue-tied. Was it just a casual word to him? It felt like a promise to her. Something tangible that she could rely on and look forward to hearing more of. This pile of steel said otherwise.
Dmitri stood at the welder. “Let’s begin. Sonya wants these by morning.”
“Have you found out for sure where Marik is being held?” Liam asked Dmitri.
“Nyet.”
Morgan would bet her savings that Dmitri wouldn’t tell even if he did find Marik. He trusted no one. “How old were you when you were sent to prison?” It was reckless for her to ask such a question, especially to Dmitri, but he wouldn’t shoot her until the boxes were made. He probably wouldn’t answer her anyway; he rarely ever did.
Eventually, he surprised her by saying, “Twelve.”
“So young?”
“Da.”
“What did you do?” His feral glare told her she’d crossed the line, so she turned away and picked up the first sheet, dragging it over. “Dmitri, I’ll do the welds if you hold the pieces together.”
Liam stepped forward, “I can help.”
“No, you don’t have a shirt. Plus, we only have two face shields. If you want to be helpful, then bring sheets as I’m ready.”
Liam didn’t seem satisfied with that answer, but he nodded. He really didn’t have a choice. His skin would fry next to the welding fire.
Morgan and Dmitri slid the face shields into place, and she made the first cut with the welding gun. Cutting with the welder never made pretty lines, but it didn’t really matter since they would never be seen. They were placed forever into walls and floors of new housing and commercial developments, which made it necessary for the coffins to be thin and welded thoroughly. Unfortunately, victims of a large size had to be . . . Morgan pushed the thought out. She had never performed any such grotesque jobs, only saw the aftermath, which was horrifying enough. This would be her last time, and her secret email file would automatically be sent to the police. Her tarnished soul would find peace one way or the other.
Morgan coughed as the fumes drifted up into the shield, giving her an instant headache. She eased off the trigger and flipped up the shield. “Dmitri, there’s no airflow in here. I need a fan to blow the fumes out or we’ll all end up sick.”
“Da. There is one in the garage.” As he left, he slammed the door closed again and locked it.
Liam hurried over to Morgan. “I have a plan. When Dmitri is distracted with welding, I’ll knock him out and we can make a run for it.”
“How are you going to knock him out?” she asked, searching for something solid in the shed. “He has a thick head.”
“Maybe I can choke him until he passes out,” Liam said, but the way his lip curled, the thought didn’t sit well with him.
Morgan sighed and massaged her forehead, relieving the tension and first stages of a massive headache. “We might have a bigger problem than Dmitri.”
“What?”
“There’s enough material here for twenty boxes. I’ve never had more than one or two. They don’t just want us dead. Something big is happening.”
“Like what?”
Morgan shook her head. “I don’t know. But we’ll find out soon.”
Liam reached for Morgan, clasping her hand. “We’ll get through this.”
Morgan desperately wanted to believe him, but she knew the bratva and what they were capable of. She looked at Liam and smiled. Let him stay positive and hopeful. She’d rather he was right than wrong.
Chapter 16
When Piper and Greer had finally made it back to the shop, it was locked up tight for the night. Greer was about to call it quits when Piper remembered the men saying they were going out for a beer after work.
Now, as they stood just inside the door at the bar located only two blocks away from the shop, Piper wanted to run. Greer held her in place as her gaze swept across the bar in search of the two. Piper had already spotted Van. She always did. No matter the crowd, her eyes always found him. Unfortunately, most of the time he was kissing another girl. Tonight was no exception.
“He’s such a hussy,” Greer said, having spotted Van as well. “I don’t know why you’ve been hung up on him all of these years.”
Piper couldn’t say why either. Van was always nice to her and others, but he never saw her. If she disappeared tomorrow, he’d never notice. She’d always believed that once she had grown up, he would see her. All those ridiculous childhood rhymes and pleas to grant her a decent chest had worked, but not to gain his attention.
But she was here for Morgan now.
“Greer, pull that woman off of him so we can talk.”
“Gladly.” Greer marched off in Van’s direction.
Piper, never one for conflict, stayed back and watched as Greer tugged the woman away and inserted herself in between. Van looked upset at first, but then realized it was Greer and waved the surprised woman away.
After a few words that seemed to have some heat to them, both Greer and Van looked at Piper. Piper knew that meant she should join them, but her feet didn’t seem to move.
“Did Greer catch him kissing?” Papa Bear asked.
Piper looked over to Papa Bear, who was sitting in the corner.
“I always thought they’d be a couple someday,” he said, taking a swig of beer from an uncommonly large mug.
“Van and Greer?”
He nodded. “They’re always arguing.”
“And that would make them a good couple?”
He shrugged. “It’s t
he way they argue. They’re honest, not brutal. They’d be good for each other.”
Piper wanted to crawl under the table and cry. Did no one see her? Was she invisible? Would she ever find someone to argue with? Because, as ridiculous as it sounded, she’d rather have that than nothing at all.
“What are you doing here?”
Piper glanced up to find Van standing next to her, frowning. Greer was taking large steps to catch up with him.
“Drinking.” Piper maneuvered away from Van, giving a nod to Greer and tagging herself out. Greer could deal with the pair.
At the bar, she signaled for the bartender and ordered. Van had always teased her when she drank Shirley Temples, so this time, she bought a Long Island iced tea. Van could tease someone else tonight. Perhaps that redhead he was sucking face with.
Tonight, a strong drink would be just what she needed.
* * *
After the second box was assembled, Morgan flipped up her shield. She had wanted to question Dmitri but was too afraid at first, but now, she had to have answers.
“How many boxes are we making?” she asked.
Dmitri flipped up his shield and eyed her. “Twenty.”
That was the quantity Morgan had expected him to say, but it still left her with more questions.
“Why twenty? We’ve never made more than two or three at a time.”
“None of your business.”
It was never any of her business. Standard answer. “Is one of these coffins for Marik?”
Dmitri scowled. “Work.”
“I’ll get back to work, but my shoulder hurts. Let me take a five-minute break.”
“Nyet. I weld.”
Morgan ignored him. “Is Sonya in the house?”
“Why?”
“I just wondered if she knew her old friend Liam was here.” Morgan pointed to a stunned Liam, who dropped a steel sheet nearly on his foot. “I’m sure she’d like to know he’s here.”
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