by Leroux, Lucy
Liam snorted. “I should have been. It was stupid to give her time alone. I turned my back for a few hours, and she was gone.”
“Ah.” Grimacing, Calen scratched his head. “Well, I guess Peyton and Raske got close on the trip back from the auction. Not surprising, I guess. You mentioned Raske swung both ways. He’s got good taste.”
“Fuck you.”
Calen shrugged. “You’re not my type.”
Liam shook his head, but he immediately regretted it. “I can’t believe you’re being so cavalier about this. He took her. He took Peyton.”
Calen appeared at a loss. “Well, it sounds as if she went willingly. And it was only a matter of time. I know you care about her in your own way, but this is for the best. Once you and Caroline marry, forget it—”
He stopped short.
Liam shrugged, not want to live in denial anymore. “Because Peyton’s in love with me, or at least she used to be.”
“Err…” Calen opted to not to reply. It was something they never discussed. Calen always kept his mouth shut because he thought of Liam as gay and uninterested. That, and he wanted to protect Peyton, not wanting to expose her tender feelings for Liam’s callous dismissal.
“And I love her, too,” he said.
“I know, man,” Calen dared to reach over and pat him on the arm. “In your own way.”
Fuck, this bullshit between them was now the size of a mountain.
“No, I mean I love her,” Liam emphasized. “As in ‘I want to fuck her until she’s having my baby’ love her.”
Silence.
His friend looked confused. “And you’re sure it’s not some kind of transference thing?”
Liam wanted to throw up his hands or hit him with something. “Calen, shut up.”
The other man cocked his head. “Do you mean fucking in the traditional sense?”
“Seriously, shut up!”
Naturally, that didn’t faze Calen at all. He just blinked a few times. “How long have you felt this way?”
“I don’t know. Forever? I tried not to think about it.”
“If that’s true, then why didn’t you do anything about it? I mean, she was right there at your side all this time. Poor Peyton. It was killing her, too.”
Liam scrubbed his eyes in a half-hearted attempt to gouge them from his skull. “I—I couldn’t. At first, it was because she was too young. Then, when she wasn’t, it still seemed wrong. That was around the time I met Matthias. When I was with him, I felt great, but after it ended…I don’t know. I didn’t feel clean enough to touch her. How could I? She deserves someone normal. Someone decent.”
“There’s nothing indecent about you,” Calen said loyally. “But normal, yeah. We all told her that. She still wanted you anyway.”
Or she used to. Liam hadn’t taken his shot. For years, he’d ignored and suppressed his feelings until he’d genuinely convinced himself they weren’t there.
It took her walking away to crack that the veneer around his reality. When she’d disappeared, it felt as if his entire world had shattered.
“I don’t think your feelings for her change what was happening with you and Raske, though,” Calen observed, still mulling. “Don’t forget I saw you two together back then. It was one of the few times you looked happy.”
Liam shrugged. He didn’t analyze his time with Matthias. It had just been one of those things.
Calen reached for the open bottle, tipping it up to drink from it directly. Finding it empty, he put it down with a thump. “So, let me get this straight. The man you might have been in love with two years ago with has run off with the woman you’ve secretly been in love with for years but were in complete denial about?”
“Basically.” Calen was a succinct bastard sometimes.
“Then can I ask something else?”
“What?”
“What the fuck are you waiting for? Call off the wedding and commandeer a boat or something. Go after them.”
“And do what? Ruin Peyton’s chance at happiness again?”
Even if he somehow managed to get his head screwed on right, it was too late. Matthias and Peyton were together now. He couldn’t mess that up for her, no matter what he wanted. He’d hurt her enough.
Chapter 24
Liam resisted the urge to batter the phone in its cradle. Instead, he set it down gently, so maintenance wouldn’t have to replace it again.
More than a week had passed since he’d talked to Calen in New York. He was back in Boston, barreling through the dissolution of his intended merger with the Wentworth chain. Predictably, it was going badly.
Caroline was really sticking it to him in the backend. But he couldn’t blame her. Even Trick didn’t blame Caroline when he and Maggie discovered Liam had called off the wedding. But the actual details were dreary and painful. Which was why he had to handle them himself. It was his mess, and he wasn’t going to subject his siblings to the aftermath, even if they pleaded with him to be allowed to share the burden.
He half-suspected Trick wanted to celebrate the end of his engagement with a parade, but his younger brother kept his mouth shut. Maggie had been even more circumspect, but he suspected her mind was on Peyton and how she was faring in Raske’s company.
If Peyton had gotten in touch with either of them, they didn’t share that with him.
The phone rang before he’d finished approving the final changes to the settlement Caroline was demanding for the straggling Wentworth hotels. Ignoring it, he doubled down, determined to finish before someone charged in demanding he put out some other fire.
Liam wasn’t giving Caroline everything she wanted. He couldn’t—not without introducing some strict austerity measures for his own hotels. But he did want to give the Wentworth chain, a sincerely valuable property, its best chance.
It was a simple matter on paper. In reality, it was a bear. But he had reached the end of the tunnel, enough to feel some light on his face. He just needed to dot his I’s and cross his T’s.
Eventually, the continued ringing got the best of him. “This better be good,” he barked.
“It’s about fucking time you picked up,” Calen snapped. “You have to get over here.”
“Your penthouse? Does Maia need something?
“No, at Helios, you jackass. I’m at work. It’s ten at night.”
Helios was the newest club Calen had opened in their hometown. It wasn’t a club in the traditional sense. It was more of a cross between an exclusive speakeasy and a cigar bar, but it served exquisite rare wines and small plates. These were prepared by a rotation of excellent no-name chef’s Calen managed to keep digging up, all thirsty for their shot at culinary stardom.
Liam raised his head, noting the dark sky and illuminated windows of the buildings around them with surprise. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was that late.”
“Whatever,” Calen snapped. “Get in your fucking car now. He’s here.”
“Who?”
“Raske.”
Liam bolted to his feet. “Is Peyton with him?”
“Nah, he’s alone. He’s holed up in the VIP room talking to some guy. Looks like a business meeting of sorts. I don’t know. Just get over here.”
Liam stopped asking questions. He grabbed his coat, texting Trick to go over the contract on his desk one more time before pushing it through legal for him.
He needed to find out why Peyton wasn’t with Matthias. What the hell had that man done to her?
* * *
It was almost comical how quickly Liam showed up after Matthias arrived at Helios. Matthias had barely finished his convo with Bryce Brogan, the first candidate he wanted Peyton to meet, when Liam burst through the doors of the private VIP salon.
“Where is she?” he yelled from across the room.
Matthias sighed, dismissing Bryce with a you-better-leave-fast gesture. Liam charged forward, scowling ferociously as the younger man passed him on the way out.
“I assume you mean Peyton,” he
offered as Liam threw himself into the winged-back chair facing his.
“Who the fuck else would I be talking about?”
Matthias raised a brow and his glass at the same time. “Language,” he chided before taking a sip.
He flicked an imaginary piece of lint off his trouser leg. “And she’s not here. She’s still on the Ormen Lange.”
“You left her alone?”
Matthias’ mouth quirked, but he was starting to feel sorry for his former lover.
Liam had deeply set dark circles under his eyes. The brackets around his mouth were a little more harshly carved than the last time Matthias had seen him just a few weeks ago. Not that it detracted from his appeal. Even tired and unkempt, Liam was still one of the most roughly elegant men Matthias had ever met. He often wondered what would have happened if they hadn’t argued so viciously about the railroad.
“Are you upset because I’m with her or because I’m not?” he asked, affecting a casualness he didn’t feel. Seeing Liam again, alone this time, was more impactful than Matthias cared to admit.
“Don’t be a fucking douchebag on top of being a twatwaffle.”
“A what?” He laughed. That was a new one for him.
“It’s one of Peyton’s favorite swearwords,” Liam informed him. “Clearly, you haven’t pissed her off enough yet for her to call you that. Perhaps when you get back. I can’t imagine she’s pleased to be ditched within days of leaving with you.”
“On the contrary. When I told her our mutual business was bringing me back to Boston, she told me to come alone. She’s still getting comfortable in her new surroundings and I didn’t want to derail her with a premature homecoming.”
Liam’s expression darkened. “What ‘business’ could you two possibly have together? And please tell me whenever it is, it doesn’t involve Bryce Brogan.”
He said the name with an audible sneer.
“As a matter a fact, it does,” Matthias replied with an expansive gesture. He shouldn’t be enjoying this, but he couldn’t help himself. “Or it might. I guess it depends on how well he and Peyton get on.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Bryce is a brainless trust funder who has never done an honest day’s work in his life. He considers shopping for a sugar daddy his profession. That and getting laid. All he wants is to get into your pants.”
Matthias acknowledged that with a nod. “Well, in this case, that last may be a bonus. But I don’t know how well he’ll mesh with Peyton. She gets final say, of course.”
Dawning horror began to slide over Liam’s face. “You better not be implying what I think you are.”
“I didn’t mean to imply anything—I’m saying it outright. Peyton and I are shopping around for a third. I think Bryce will do nicely.”
The explosion wasn’t long in coming. Liam almost lunged for Matthias, but he checked himself at the last moment when Matthias’ bodyguards, a precaution for the evening, ominously stepped forward.
Settling back into his seat, Liam opened and closed his mouth a few times. “You’re not fucking serious,” he spat.
“I assure you I am.”
“Peyton would never agree to something like that.”
He raised a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“Well, that’s presumptuous.” He sniffed. “As luck would have it, I don’t have to guess what Peyton wants, because I have the luxury of being able to ask her. So that’s what I did. And after a lifetime of…shall we call it misguided chastity…she’s eager to explore and try new things.”
“But a threesome? You and I both know she’s not experienced enough for any crap like that.”
“If she’s not up for it, she’ll say so. Peyton isn’t afraid to speak her mind. In fact, she’s not afraid of a single damn thing. She’s brilliant, beautiful, and daring. I think we’re going to do very well together.”
Matthias stood. “I’ve done what I came here to do— I’ve invited Bryce out to Miami. The Ormen Lange will be docked there this weekend. If Bryce and Peyton hit it off, he’ll stay on for a while. If not, then we’ll take a look at someone else. We have time to figure it out.”
Matthias started for the door, but he hadn’t gotten far when Liam grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. “Did you really come here to rub this invite in my face or are you trying to tell me something?”
Pleading ignorance seemed the safer bet. “Sorry? I don’t follow.”
“Did you come here to Boston—to my best friend’s club—for Bryce fucking Brogan or were you here to ask me?” Liam rasped.
Matthias could see what the question cost the other man. But he had to tell him the truth…as he saw it. “I came here for Bryce.”
“But—”
“I have to be honest, Liam. Peyton only put one restriction on my search for a third.”
He watched as Liam visibly braced himself. “What was it?”
“The man can be anyone…except you.”
* * *
Liam sat in the now-empty VIP salon. He stared at his shoes until Calen waved a bottle of something in his face. He took the bottle, ignoring the glass his friend offered with it.
“That was painful to watch.”
“Did you hear everything?” He gestured vaguely at the walls, unsure where the discreet security camera was hidden.
“That would be illegal. I don’t have the sound on. Of course, it pays to learn how to lip read.”
“Is that something your dad taught you?” Liam sneered slightly.
In their youth, Calen’s father had been a notorious gangster. But Colman had kept a low profile the last few years. The former menace to society was enjoying semi-retirement, playing with his grandchild and looking forward to the next one.
Calen didn’t take the bait. “Some of his lessons were worth learning. So are you going to Miami?”
Liam’s mouth twisted. “I can’t do that—I can’t share her.”
“Then you’re going to let Matthias and some other random guy share her?”
“Hell no.”
“So you are going to Miami?”
Liam didn’t answer.
Calen leaned forward, face serious. “I’m sorry about this.”
“Wha—”
His query was cut short by his best friend leaning over to slap him in the face—hard.
“Ow. Fuck, Calen!”
His friend tsked. “Stop acting like a little bitch.”
Liam rubbed his face. “But I can’t be in a threesome with those two. How would that even work?”
Calen shrugged. “Hell if I know. But you’re going to regret it if you don’t at least try.”
Liam stared at his best friend, prepared to argue. However, nothing came out.
Why was this so fucking complicated? Or maybe it’s not and you’re just making a convoluted mess of everything.
He staggered to his feet. Calen was right. He would never be able to live with himself if he didn’t go. “I need to call my pilot. I’m going to Miami.”
Calen threw up his hands as if to say Hallelujah. “It’s about fucking time.”
Liam ran to the entrance, but then stopped to ask, “How am I going to explain this to Maggie and Trick?”
His friend waved that away. “Burn that bridge when you come to it. Now get the hell out of here.”
Chapter 25
Liam waited until Bryce Brogan was alone on the pier before grabbing the smaller man by the collar.
“If you don’t leave now, I’m tossing you into the ocean,” he snarled.
“What the hell?” Bryce reached up, trying to break his hold. He couldn’t.
“I’m serious. You’re not getting on that boat, so don’t even fucking try.” Liam shook him for good measure.
“I was invited.”
“No, you weren’t,” he countered. “Not really. You’re just here because Matthias likes pushing my buttons.”
And it had fucking worked. He was here, and now he’d be damned if this
shithead set one foot on the Ormen Lange.
“I don’t believe that.” Bryce frowned, but he clearly wasn’t sure anymore.
“All right, you asked for it.” Liam dead-lifted the guy, hauling him inches off the deck and over the water.
“What the hell are you doing?” Bryce yelled.
It should have been obvious, but there was a chance Bryce’s parents were cousins. “I’m fulfilling a threat,” Liam said helpfully.
“Put me down!”
“Okay.” He obliged, lowering his arm.
“Not in the water, you crazy shit,” Bryce shouted after the tips of his thousand-dollar Italian wingbacks broke the surface of the water.
“Are you going to leave? Because my arm is getting tired,” Liam said.
“Fine. But I’m only going as far as my car. I’m calling Matthias Raske, and he’s gonna…”
“He’s going to what?” Liam asked, setting the other man on solid wood.
Bryce shook out his jacket by the lapels “He’ll do something.”
Huffing, the man stalked in the direction of the parking lot. He whirled around when he was a safe distance away. “You always were an asshole, Tyler!”
Liam only smirked before facing the covered slipway leading up to the Ormen Lange’s deck.
Don’t run inside. In his experience, people didn’t respond well to a man of his size barreling in their direction.
Liam was halfway up the ramp when Matthias appeared on the other end. “It took you long enough.”
* * *
“She’s not going to be happy to see you,” Matthias warned.
That was the understatement of the year. Liam peeked out of the blinds out to the deck where Peyton was reportedly getting a massage. “Is she almost done?”
“I have no idea.” Matthias glanced at his watch. “Depends on how long she can take Ha-eun’s tender treatment.”
Liam spun around, aghast. “You’re not letting that pervert touch her, are you?”
“Peyton seems to find it…stimulating. If she didn’t, I doubt she’d be going back for seconds.”
