But Liam refused to run—not anymore. The warrior in him demanded vengeance, thirsted for the blood of his enemies, and above all, insisted he protect his female. Whether she was rightfully his or not, his heart proclaimed it so.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, his hands dove into his hair for what must have been the fifth or sixth time as he paced back and forth. Stopping in front of the window, he stared into the midnight sky, watching as lights from the passing ore ships broke through the darkness. Suddenly, the energy in the air shifted and a reflection appeared in the glass. He turned and faced his friend. “Hello, Balen.”
“Liam. Where’s Olivia?”
He cocked his head toward the muffled hum of the Jacuzzi. “Taking a bath. She’s exhausted.”
Balen’s gaze swept over him and a disapproving frown settled on his face. “I’d venture to say she isn’t the only one. I hate to say it, buddy, but you look like how I feel.”
“That shitty, huh? Not that it isn’t great to see you and all, but why are you here?”
“Thought I’d stop by and keep you in the know.”
Dread unfurled in Liam’s gut as he asked, “About…?”
“Mitch is on his way here—with Rowen’s legion.”
“Bloody hell… Tell me you’re joking.”
“Sorry, I’m not that funny.”
“What would possibly make that arrogant prick want to get himself killed?”
“Olivia. He wants her back.”
Liam let out a humorless laugh that bordered on vicious, spun away from his friend, and resumed his pacing. This changed everything… “The last thing I need is that pompous ass showing up here. This is going to be hard enough as it is.” Liam was thoughtful for a moment. “Wait, where’s Ashley?”
“As of eight hours ago, about ten hours from here—with Mitch. She was worried about his safety, so she decided to come along, expecting I’d keep the little shit from getting himself killed. Of course, I couldn’t stop her from going. I tell you, as soon as he gets here, that tool is your problem. He’s trouble, and speaking of trouble, you care to explain to me exactly why Haden’s still alive?”
Liam reached up, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. “It’s not that simple, Balen, or believe me, he’d be dead. Haden’s a Nephilim—”
“What? No way!”
“Way,” he replied sarcastically.
“The Nephs are dead.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought, too, until I met one. Turns out the Dark Court has been hiding a dirty little secret.”
“Well, that’s easy enough to fix.”
“Not so easy, my friend. Apparently, he possesses enough humanity to fall under the blood covering of Christ. I can’t kill him unless he poses a direct threat to Olivia’s life. Get this, according to Theo, he’s redeemable.” Liam air quoted Haden’s taunting words. “Believe me, that bastard took great delight in informing me of said status.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same guy, because from what I’ve seen, there’s nothing redeemable about that green-eyed POS.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but if it wasn’t true, I’m sure Theo would have killed the asshole himself. He ain’t exactly the ‘forgive and forget’ type.”
“Well then, I guess that explains the entourage. He needs Mitch to get to Olivia, and Rhen and Cale to get to you. That way he avoids becoming a direct threat, clever bastard.”
“What are you going to do about Ashley? It isn’t safe for her to be here.”
A rare look of raw anger crossed his friend’s face. “Ashley does what Ashley wants.”
Liam eyed his friend warily. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“She’s impulsive and reckless. I swear I’ve spent more time saving her from herself than I have from anyone else! That female is going to be the death of me.”
Liam chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds like Ashley. You want to tell me what happened?”
“Not really. It’s a long story, and you’ve got enough of your own problems.”
“Still, it’s nice to talk about someone else’s for a change. You thinkin’ about giving her up?”
Balen threaded his hand through his hair and started pacing the same path of carpet Liam had been wearing down. He silently watched his friend, waiting for him to answer. After a few wordless passes, Balen looked at him and said sadly, “I’m not sure I’m going to have a choice.”
Shit… “Why do you say that? What happened?”
“I…kissed her, Liam.”
“Aaaand…”
Balen wasn’t the type to overreact and he never behaved impulsively. If he was considering relinquishing his guardianship, then Liam knew it was all but a done deal. Something pretty bad must have happened between them to drive him to this point.
“And I wanted more. I wanted so much more with her. When I…stopped myself, she…didn’t handle it well. She accused me of not loving her, not wanting her. Her recklessness nearly got her killed last night. I can’t risk being the trigger for her harmful behavior anymore. If I stay with her, I’ll fall. Honestly, Liam, I don’t know how you do it.”
I don’t. That’s the problem.
“How do you keep from crossing that line with Olivia?”
What line? The line was such a blur right now he couldn’t even see it anymore. “I’m not sure I’m the guy to be giving you advice, Balen. I’ve made my share of mistakes with Olivia that will, no doubt, catch up with me sooner than later. I’m barely hanging on here myself.” He glanced up at the clock on the wall. “And in pretty short order, it sounds like I’m going to have my hands full with her fiancé.”
Balen grimaced. “Sorry to dump my problems on you—”
“You’re not. I just…” Liam shook his head. “I just don’t know what to say. I don’t blame you for giving her up if that’s what you decide to do. Hell, I envy you for having the strength to do it. We just weren’t cut out for this shit. Mortals… They’re—”
“Addicting?”
“Yeah.”
“Intoxicating?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Alluring, beguiling, mesmer—”
“All right, enough. You’re killing me here.”
Balen chuckled, but his attempt at bravado didn’t fool Liam. His friend was hurting in a bad way, and he couldn’t help but feel a sharp twinge of guilt over it. If it weren’t for him, Balen never would have gotten caught up in all of this.
Liam placed his hand on Balen’s shoulder and asked, “So, what are you going to do now?”
Balen sighed. “After I make sure Ashley is safe, I’m returning to court. I’ll petition for a real guardian to be assigned her care, someone who will be immune to her life force.”
“Perhaps it’s for the best.”
“When are you going to tell Olivia about Mitch?”
Scrubbing his hands over his face, he heaved a frustrated groan. “I haven’t decided yet. How close do you figure they are from here?”
Balen shrugged. “My guess is two hours tops—maybe less. I bet the others will lie low and let Mitch have at you first. That guy’s got an ax to grind with you, my friend.”
Great. He didn’t have time for this shit. He needed to be focusing on Cale and Rhen right now, not worrying about a jealous fiancé. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Two hours tops” turned out to be fifteen minutes. Olivia was still in the tub, the low rumbling hum of the jets confirmed she wasn’t coming out anytime soon. He thought about checking on her. It would be some pretty sick irony to have worked so hard to keep her alive, only to have her fall asleep in the tub from exhaustion and drown.
The passing thought sent a jolt of alarm racing through him that propelled his feet toward the bathroom. He was nearly there when a sudden burst of banging on the front door stopped him in his tracks. Liam changed direction and charged for the door, trying to reach it before the next round of rapid-fire started. He didn’t want Oliv
ia finding out about Mitch—not like this. Besides, it was late. The least Mitch could do was let her rest tonight—inconsiderate ass. What in the hell did he hope to accomplish by beating her door down at this hour?
More banging…
“Olivia! Open up! I know you’re in there!”
Each pound cut at the thin thread of Liam’s temper, and he wrenched the door open, yanking it away from the pounding fist. He stepped into the doorway, bodily filling the small space and effectively blocking Mitch’s entrance, just in case he had a mind to enter.
A brief moment of surprise flittered across Mitch’s face before hardening into a mask of hatred. “You must be Liam,” he accused.
“And you must be Mitch. Wish I could say it was a pleasure, but I can’t lie.”
“That’s interesting. One would think you couldn’t steal, either, but here you are, with my fiancée!”
Liam cocked his brow and replied with an air of arrogance that matched Mitch’s, “I hate to break it to you, heartthrob, but Olivia was mine long before she was yours—and she still is.”
With surprising swiftness, Mitch nailed Liam with a blow to the jaw. He knew it was coming, could have stopped the human, but the alpha in him wanted to see what the mortal was packing. Had he been one himself, he’d have had to admit Mitch could throw an impressive right hook.
By the look on Mitch’s face, he was surprised Liam was still standing, unmoved from the barricaded doorway. Liam popped his jaw and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll give you that one. Hell, I might have even deserved it, but I’m warning you right now, you touch me again, and I will touch you back.”
Now, that gave Mitch pause, which proved he just might have some semblance of self-preservation, after all. Admittedly, Liam hoped Mitch would hit him again. He’d love the opportunity to knock this asshole out.
“I want to see her.” Mitch straightened to his full six-two height, puffed his chest, and stubbornly cocked his head. Maybe this tough guy act intimidated other men, but Liam wasn’t a man and he wasn’t impressed.
“It’s late, Mitch. Olivia’s getting ready for bed. She’s exhausted from traveling. If you want to see her, then I suggest you come back at a more reasonable hour.”
“Admit it. You’re not happy I’m here. You know, I don’t get it, what’s with you, anyway? Aren’t you supposed to have a halo over your head and walk around singing the Halleluiah chorus or something?”
Liam’s temper flared, which must have set off his amethyst glower, because Mitch took a surprised step back and his hard-ass scowl faltered. “I’m not that kind of angel,” he growled. “How is it possible that you’re truly this dense? We’re in a war, Mitch. One that’s been raging since the beginning of time, and you, Einstein, just stuck yourself right in the middle of it! So, no, I’m not happy that you’re here. Your presence will be a distraction that will affect Olivia’s rational thinking. You’re putting her at risk, altering her free will, and that makes you a threat. Don’t think, for one second, that I buy this jaded lover bullshit. Do you really think that I don’t know you? That I don’t know about all your lying and the cheating that went on behind Olivia’s back? Oh, come on… Don’t look so surprised.” Raising his hand, he gave Mitch an arrogant wave. “Hello…angel here. I know all your sins, Mitch. You know, the ignorance of man truly amazes me. You believe you’re here to fight an angel for the love of your life, but you’re really nothing more than a demon’s pawn. The difference between you and me, Mitch, is that I love Olivia enough to let her go! Do you?”
A startled gasp rent the air like a clap of thunder. Bloody hell…When had the Jacuzzi jets stopped running? An emotional tempest blasted into him, and Liam turned to see Olivia standing in the living room, clad only in a thigh-high silk nightie. The color matched her eyes, set off by the fall of her damp raven locks that teasingly covered her bare shoulders. Her breasts strained to be free of the confining material that hugged the gentle flare of her hips.
“Olivia…” Mitch rasped.
“Mitch?”
The surge of testosterone filled the air, and a warning growl chortled in Liam’s throat as a tide of possessive rage washed over him. Snarling an oath, he slammed the door in Mitch’s face, and the pounding immediately resumed.
“Olivia!” Bang, bang, bang… “Open this damn door, Liam! You have no right to keep my fiancée from me! Olivia, talk to me!”
Liam shot Olivia a defiant glare and growled, “I’m not opening this door again until you get dressed. I don’t give a shit if he wakes the whole floor!”
***
The difference between you and me, Mitch, is that I love her enough to let her go… The words echoed in Olivia’s mind so loudly, she barely heard the muted banging. Liam’s lips were moving, but whatever he said didn’t register. He looked pissed, his jade eyes throwing off an unnatural amethyst glow. He was giving her up—that’s it…and here she’d foolishly held on to the hope that there was still a chance to change his mind—that somehow, she could convince him to stay when this was all over.
He charged toward her, but she remained frozen in shock. Mitch was here… How did he find her? Oh, this was bad… Liam cupped her face, forcing her to meet his otherworldly eyes. Energy sizzled beneath his skin, making his touch unbearably hot. Did he realize he was hurting her? “…hear me? I said, go get dressed, Olivia!”
He’s really letting me go… Unholy anger ripped through her as the shockwave of reality dissipated. Her hearing cleared and her mind sharpened as the banging on the door rang counterpoint to her heart slamming inside her chest. Abruptly, she ripped herself from Liam’s grasp and stormed into the bedroom.
“Olivia…” He started after her, and she spun around.
“Stop! You do not get to talk to me right now!”
Slamming the bedroom door shut, she quickly dressed into a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. When she came back out, Liam was gone, and Mitch was still banging on her door.
She refused to let her heart break at finding him gone—only proving, once again, that she wasn’t worth fighting for. Pushing her heartache aside, Olivia walked over to the door and yanked it open. “Are you quite finished?” she snapped. “I don’t think all the dead have awoken quite yet.”
Ignoring her outburst, Mitch bolted inside the room and wrapped Olivia in his arms. Lifting her up, he squeezed her tightly. She struggled for air as he spun her around and gushed, “Sweetheart, are you all right? Man, I’ve missed you so much! I was afraid I’d never see you again.” He ducked to kiss her, and she weaved, giving him her cheek.
“What are you doing here, Mitch?” She knew this wasn’t exactly the warm welcome he was expecting, but it was all she could muster at the moment, especially when she wanted to throttle the guy for being so stupid as to risk his life by chasing after her. “Are you trying to get yourself killed? What part of ‘it’s not safe for you to be around me’ did you not understand?” She wiggled to get free of his death grip. “Please, put me down. I can’t breathe.”
As she wrangled herself loose, he looked over her head, scanning the room. “Where’s your angel?”
“I don’t know. Gone—”
“For good, I hope,” Mitch grumbled under his breath.
“What did you say?” she snapped irritably, wondering if Liam was really gone, or if he’d just crossed over and blocked her sight. For all she knew, he could be standing right beside her. “You’d better hope he’s not gone, Mitch, because you can’t save me from what’s coming.”
“Come on, Liv. Don’t you think that’s a bit dramatic?”
He eyed her skeptically, and she’d never wanted to punch him more than at this moment. “Excuse me…?” she stammered in total bewilderment.
He raised his hands defensively. “Hey, all I’m saying is that I spent the last several days with these guys, and honestly, they aren’t as bad as everyone keeps saying. If you ask me, Liam wanted you back and he made the whole thing up to get you away from me.”
Olivia was momentarily speechless. Who was this man standing in front of her? “You know something, Mitch? I think you’ve missed one glaringly obvious fact in your conspiracy theory.”
“Yeah, what’s that?” he snapped, his patience quickly nearing an end.
“Liam can’t lie!” She poked him in the shoulder to make sure he was listening. “As much as you want to believe this is about you, Mitch, it just isn’t!”
“Oh, I believe that. When you came waltzing out here in that nightie I bought you, the nightie I haven’t even seen you in yet! I’m quite certain that had nothing to do with me! Did you fuck him, Olivia? I just want the truth because we both know you wouldn’t let me near that pus—”
She slapped him—hard. “Get out!” Olivia pointed past his shoulder toward the door. “And, by the way, it doesn’t sound like you’ve gone without, so don’t expect me to feel sorry for you.” If she’d truly loved Mitch, learning of his betrayal would have hurt more than it did. Instead, it only made her angry that she’d been so naïve, proving, beyond a doubt, things were over between them. Even knowing Liam was leaving her, she’d still rather be alone than with this arrogant prick.
Mitch stormed toward the door. Before charging out, he spun around and leveled her with a menacing glare. “You’ll regret this, Olivia.”
The door slammed shut with a resolute bang that rattled the log cabin painting hanging on the wall. Olivia had no doubt that she would. In fact, right now, she pretty much felt like the queen of regrets. Sighing, she called out, “Liam, are you there?”
Nothing but silence answered her.
***
What an ungrateful little bitch! Mitch slammed his fist into the wall as he stormed down the hall. After everything he’d done for her, how dare she treat him like an afterthought. He’d traveled across the United States for her and this was the thanks he got? He couldn’t descend the stairs fast enough. Entering the lobby, he headed straight for the bar and made himself at home, anxious to get some liquid balm for his severely wounded pride. Three shots later, his bad night turned worse.
Shades of Darkness (Redemption Series) Page 33
