by Vi Carter
“She has red hair and green eyes, just like the description I got off one of the security men and Gregor found out who she was. Margret Murphy. Her brother is with the RA.”
“I’m on my way.” Before I can protest Darragh hangs up. I wasn’t going to interrogate her yet. I would let her stew.
When I reach the entrance room Darragh is already there.
“I want to let her sit for a while.” I tell Darragh.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Is she in that room?”
I nod seeing how uneasy he appears. There is a shift in the room and I can almost feel the tension that ripples under Darragh’s skin. I never wanted to be alone with him.
“I have other jobs that require my attention.” I hope my dismissal makes him leave.
“I know. But…” He frowns before ramming his hands in his jeans pockets. “Was it quick?” His eyes grow heavy with pain. The truth weighs on me.
“Yes.” Strangling someone is a slow and painful death. Her panic that night, her fear and confusion had suffocated me. I had never frozen before but that night I had and it had cost me my mother.
“Did she beg me to stop?” His brows pull down and I know he is fighting with himself not to cry. Removing one hand from his jeans he rubs his nose and sniffles. “Don’t answer that.”
I honor his request and remain silent. “The spreadsheets I asked you for from the hotels, did you get them?”
He blinks before running his hand over his face like he’s stepping out of a dream. “Yes,” his voice is shaky and unsure but his eyes are drying up.
“Good. Can you check in with them over the next few weeks?”
“Liam…” His voice holds too much pleading.
“If you can’t, just tell me, I can find someone else.”
“No of course I can do it for you.” He shrugs before stuffing his hands back in his pocket.
“Good. Get me the reports today.” He nods and I turn away from him, the shadow of my mother hunches over me causing a shiver to race down my spine.
I am cruel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SVETLANA
My head won’t stop pounding. The pain seems to be radiating down my legs. I’ve barely slept and refused to sleep in the bed. Last night Liam had been angry when I wouldn’t move from the corner of the room but he eventually left me alone.
Standing up now I kick out my legs trying to get some life back into them.
“Are you ready for breakfast?”
My heart leaps at his voice and my stomach twists when I set eyes on him. A black t-shirt is stretched across broad shoulders. The black the same color as his eyes that assess me now.
His lips tighten and I sigh before he can start a threat that lingers on his lips. His mouth relaxes slightly as I walk past him, the smell of aftershave wafts from him and I try not to inhale like some hungry animal.
He’s made an omelette. This was starting to look like his signature dish. A napkin has a knife and fork resting on top of it. As I sit down on the stool, I pick them up. The smell of aftershave encircles me as he moves past me. His wide back fills my vision as he pours out two cups of tea. The spoon rattles against the mugs.
“I have someone I want you to meet today.”
The fork halts at my lips as he turns around to me. His face wasn’t giving anything away. I don’t eat until he’s seated, and he pushes a mug towards me.
I chew slowly but now the fluffy omelette feels like lead on my tongue.
“It’s a good thing,” I glance up at Liam; his voice sounds so exasperated, he isn’t looking at me as he starts to eat.
“Who is it then?”
His smile is quick and catches me off guard. I can feel the burn on my cheeks at the surge of emotions that one action elects in me.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
I focus on my food and he sighs heavily but I don’t look up at him.
I’m still so angry with myself. Last night I had the perfect opportunity to leave. I had money, I was dressed, and no one was watching me. I had made it to the end of the tunnel and paused. My heart had been beating so fast that it drove tears to my eyes, my palms had grown slick with sweat. I didn’t want to go. The realization had filled me with self-disgust. I was falling for him and that made me so pathetic. I had turned around and came back to my prison. I had no one to blame but myself now.
I push my plate away, my appetite gone. Taking the cup I cradle it in my hands. I feel cold; I know the tiredness isn’t helping and Liam’s gaze on me is making each second sitting next to him almost unbearable.
“Why don’t you go and get dressed.”
The suggestion has me finally looking at him. I hate how my body is reacting to him. I push away from the counter and leave the barely touched omelette behind me.
I’m staring into the wardrobe of clothes that still all have labels on them. Irritation has me slamming the wardrobe door. I march back to the bedroom door and Liam is where I left him, finishing his tea like there isn’t a prisoner in his home.
“I’m not sure what to wear. Am I going home to my uncle? Or am I being handed over to someone else? Should I be sexy?”
It’s my last question that has him looking at me, the look reminds of an intelligent animal after its prey.
“Wear something comfortable.”
“So a plane journey?” I hate how my voice cracks. I was a fool for not running last night. What was I thinking that I would stay here and live happily ever after with my captive? It just showed how much I knew about love.
“You’re not leaving my home.” The depth his words carry have something deep inside me stirring again. Home.
My throat burns and I don’t want him to see the effect his words are having on me so I turn away and run back to the wardrobe. I’m getting dressed without thinking. Selecting the underwear has heat splashing across my face but I quickly put on the fresh black set before picking a simple pair of black jeans and a long red shirt that’s cool on my skin. When I place my foot inside the boots Liam steps into the room. The timing is unsettling, and I wonder had he watched me get dressed. Once again his face portrays nothing.
“Are you ready?”
Running my fingers through my hair distracts me for a moment, but the knots that tie themselves in my stomach make me give up.
“I would like to know what I am walking into.”
“You will just have to trust me,” His lip tugs up slightly. The hidden smile changes the inky black from his eyes and fills it with a chocolate brown. The transformation chips away at my wavering uncertainty. I do trust him. But I don’t tell him that.
“Lead the way.”
Liam’s back muscles rise and fall as he walks, it reminds me of a cheetah from a wildlife documentary. His suits keep him so structured but with the t-shirt it really allows me to see all the muscles and curves of his body. It’s distracting me so much that I pause only when I’m standing in a very grand hallway. The wooden floor under my feet is covered in a red rug that runs the length of the never ending space.
A shadow looms over me. Liam’s cornered me close to the wall his back a black sheet that hides me.
“I think it’s time we had a chat.” The voice belongs to an older man and I’m tempted to peek out from behind Liam’s back but his tense structure keeps me still.
“We will, just not right now.” Liam sounds formal, and it really makes me want to see who he’s speaking to.
“You’re busy?” The curiosity in the other man’s voice is clear. The black wall moves and I’m looking into the face of an older man. He’s dressed in a suit and the resemblance to Liam is uncanny.
“Well hello.” His surprise raises both his eyebrows.
I glance at Liam but he doesn’t meet my eye. His tense jaw and stiff frame has me looking between him and the older man he looks like.
“We better go or we’ll be late.” Liam’s hand touches the small of my back ushering me forward. I glance back over my shoulder to find the man watchin
g us. Liam shifts blocking me off from looking back and moves me to a door on our left.
Inside an old man in a tweed brown suit looks up through a pair of heavy-rimmed glasses.
“Mr. O’Reagan.” He moves quickly from behind a large writing desk and reaches out his hand to Liam, who takes it. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.
A stack of books on the writing desk are opened and look used. I allow my eyes to wander around the stunning library.
“You must be Svetlana.” It’s the elderly man who speaks. I take a step towards him as Liam watches us now. I still have no clue what I am doing here.
“Yes,” I say and flicker a quick look at Liam. His chocolate brown eyes are drinking up my reaction to a situation I don’t understand.
“I will be tutoring you in psychology. Mr. O’Reagan has informed me you studied it back in the Czech.”
Soft green warm eyes smile at me but I’m speechless as I glance from Liam to my new tutor. He did this for me.
“Yes,” I finally answer.
“Shall we.” I walk to the chairs at the desk and sit down. “You can call me Sam.” Sam smiles again. His facial hair has turned gray and hides most of his face but his eyes smile with him.
I nod at Sam before turning to Liam who’s now sitting on an emerald green couch. His stare consumes me and the urge I have to get up and go to him has me gripping the arm of the chair. A smile that I can’t contain spreads quickly across my face and he smiles back, my stomach does somersaults and a soft laugh bubbles from my lips widening his smile. He looks breathtaking.
“Thank you,” I mouth as emotions keep my voice hidden. A soft nod of his head lets me know he heard me.
“Shall we start?” I turn to Sam who has sat patiently waiting for me.
“Yes I’m ready.” I’m the perfect student. I soak up every bit of information that Sam shares with me. We read over textbooks and he breaks down anything I don’t understand. The session ends too soon, and it feels like I’m waking up when I glance to the emerald couch. Surprise flitters through me. Liam is still there, still watching me.
“I will see you in two days.” Sam starts to tidy up and I nod eagerly. This wasn’t a once off.
A brown leather worn bag is tucked under Sam’s arms as he leaves a neat stack of textbooks on the writing desk.
“And after that?” I ask.
“Three days each week. That is the agreement with Mr. O’Reagan.”
I glance at Liam again before returning to Sam. “Thank you.”
“Thank you. You are a fantastic student.” His praise has me basking in his words.
Liam walks with him out of the room and I’m left in a space filled with knowledge. I know the moment Liam steps back into the room. I wonder is that normal to just feel someone’s presence?
“I’m jealous of you.” I skim my fingers along the spines of the books as I speak. “Growing up I was obsessed with fairy tales and stories about happily ever afters.” I take a peek at Liam. He’s absorbing my words like they hold secrets about me. “My father…” I have to look away as a familiar friend squeezes my heart at the thoughts of the man who loved me like nothing else. “He told me he would build me one. He never got to.” His life taken before it should have been.
I refuse to cry and turn this moment into something sad. “Can I stay here a bit longer?” I don’t look to Liam as I ask, I’m afraid of the disappointment I will feel when he tells me no.
“Stay as long as you want.” Closing my eyes briefly at his soft words is the only way to keep my emotions closed off.
“Thank you,” I whisper leaning closer to the books.
“You’re welcome.” His breath brushes the back of my neck and I stiffen before allowing myself to lean into him. Strong arms wrap around my waist and I drop my hands to cover his, the touch is intimate and penetrates through me.
“Why are you doing this?”
He reaches up and brushes my hair back from my neck. I shiver as his breath caresses my skin. “You are.” His answer confuses me and I turn in his arms fully facing him.
His hands find their way into my hair as he brushes both sides back and continues to hold my face. “I can’t seem to find myself with you.”
I’m feeling even more confused, and he looks away now unable to hold my stare. “That doesn’t sound like a good thing.”
His focus is back on me, black orbs consuming me and I shiver in his hands. “It is. I think I like being lost.” He dips his head, and the air leaves my lungs. “Will you kiss me?”
I answer him by pressing my lips against his.
His large hands hold my face. The heat and pressure has me sinking into the kiss. A storm starts circling inside me, I can feel the tingle in my toes and it races up my body lifting emotions I didn’t understand, while sending my head into a spin. Liam takes my lower lip between his and kisses me leaving me breathless. Books press into my back; I hadn’t noticed we’d moved. My body is flush with Liam’s and I want his fingers inside me again. I moan as he sucks softly on my bottom lip. A commotion behind us has Liam breaking the kiss, but he doesn’t step away from me.
“You owe me a ton, told you he was into women.” I recognize the voice. When I peek out from behind Liam, I see three men standing in the doorway. Two resemble each other with blond hair and blue eyes.
“And she doesn’t even speak English,” Darragh winks at me and my face burns.
“How do you know that? You cheated.” The other blonde argues back.
“What do you want?” Liam’s voice stops their chatter.
“We need a word.” The taller and more serious one glances at me but focuses on Liam now.
“About?”
Once again the taller brother looks at me and I step out from behind Liam. Now they all stare at me and I want to step back behind Liam.
“My wedding.” There is a somber tone to the blonde boy’s voice and sorrow fills all their eyes. I glance up at Liam but he nods like he doesn’t see their pain.
“I’ll be back shortly.” Liam holds out his arm formally for me to walk and I do as the three men watch me.
“Nice seeing you again.” Darragh fires another wink at me.
“Nice seeing you too Darragh.”
His mouth hangs a little and I don’t smile until I’m out of the room and can hear the other man laugh.
“She can talk you moron.”
When Liam steps into line beside me I’m waiting for him to say something about me speaking out.
“They are my brothers.”
“They seem nice.” I take a look up at him and our eyes clash.
“They can be.” We’ve stopped walking, his stare holding me into place.
“The older man from earlier?”
“My father.”
I nod. That made sense. “You have a nice family.”
Something passes Liam’s eyes, and he starts walking again hiding whatever he doesn’t want me to see.
When we reach the basement Liam goes straight into the room and pulls off his t-shirt. I watch him until my face burns and turn away. I notice how he doesn’t lock the area down anymore. Or how he let his family see me, or how he brought me into his home.
I’m sitting at the high stool my mind still reeling. He had got me a tutor. My throat burns again but I clear it as Liam returns in a suit looking perfect. The grey suit is tailored to his tall and broad frame.
“I have some business. But I’ll be back later.” He isn’t looking at me as he speaks. So my nod isn’t seen.
“Okay.”
He picks up keys, his wallet and a phone before looking at me. I can’t tell you what I see but he’s conflicted about something.
“It won’t always be like this.”
I pretend that I don’t understand his words. “What me hanging out in a bachelor pad, getting private tutors and a personal shopper.” I point at my clothes.
Liam walks to me, each step has my heart hammering. “You won’t be locke
d away. You will be my equal.”
This time when my throat burns I can’t stop the tears that rise. “Please don’t promise me something that you can’t do.” Hope is always a good thing, too much is dangerous. Right now too much of it was coming alive and blossoming inside me.
His smile is short lived. “I’ll check on you later.” A soft kiss on my lips has me parting my legs so Liam can step closer. My fingers curl around his large shoulders and I pull him in as I deepen the kiss with my tongue.
The kiss ends too quickly.
“Don’t leave.” His departing words sound more like a plea than the warning they once carried. The sad part is I know I won’t leave. I had a chance, and I didn’t take it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LIAM
Opening the slot of the door I look in, a pair of green eyes stare back at me.
Once again she doesn’t speak but stares at me. The door behind me opens but I don’t turn around as Darragh and Finn enter.
“Are you both sure about this?” They had insisted on being here for the interrogation.
“Yes.” It’s Darragh who answers so I open the door. The girl doesn’t struggle or plead as I put her in the chair. She examines Darragh and Finn. Finn’s uneasy, he shifts from foot to foot and she sees his weakness. As I tighten the straps, the girl looks at me.
“You want to start with your name?”
She smiles through cracked lips and turns away from me. I already know her name but hearing her confirm it would be start.
“You know I’m going to hurt you,” I tell her tightening her hands.
“I didn’t think we would be hugging.”
“So you’ve been interrogated before?”
She looks away quickly but not before I catch the fear in her eyes.
“No, you’ve never been interrogated before but you’ve been trained in it and from your accent I’d say you’re from the north.” I don’t mention the RA. I keep the knowledge to myself.
Her eyes flicker to me for a split of a second.
“They didn’t train you very well.” I say standing up fully. “I can smell your fear.”
