Текст книги "Unbroken"
Автор книги: Lisa Renee Jones
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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 9 страниц)
PART FIVE
Go Bold or Stay Home
THE NEXT MORNING I STAND IN the kitchen, a cup of coffee in my hand, a smile on my lips as I wait for Liam to return from his meeting with Josh. I’m still riding the high from Liam’s proposal yesterday and the fun we’d had decorating the tree. I even put on a pale pink lace long-sleeved top with my black jeans and boots today, to match the diamond on my finger. Liam picked a special ring and I want him to know how much I love it, and him. Missing him, I grab my cell phone from the counter and glance at the time—eleven o’clock—eager for an update on the meeting, now two hours long. I’m remarkably at peace with the decision to bring Josh into this, now convinced it’s the right move.
I’m also unsurprised that we weren’t able to reach Chad to talk about it. My brother believes that staying off everyone’s radar, including ours, will protect us.
My phone beeps with a text, and I set my cup down and quickly push the button, thinking it’s Liam. Instead, it’s a message from Tellar: I’m here. Don’t freak when the alarm buzzes. He’s never warned me before; does he think I’m spending my first few hours of solitude in months running around naked? I’m about to reply when the garage door buzzes with a security warning.
I refill my cup to hear “Morning, Sunshine” behind me, and Tellar rounds the island and makes a beeline for the coffeepot.
“What if I had been naked? You didn’t wait for my reply.”
He grabs a cup from the cabinet, the jagged scar on his jawline I’ve never had the courage to ask about in view. “Liam wasn’t here,” he says, reaching for the pot. “I figured it was a safe gamble you’d be dressed.”
My cheeks flush. “I owe you for that one,” I say, as he reaches for the sugar and pours enough in his coffee to bake a cake. “My God, your dental bill must be outrageous.”
He shrugs and leans on the island across from me. “You only live once. I’m going to enjoy my sugar.”
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that about pizza,” I say, inspecting his navy suit and noting how neatly slicked back his light brown hair is. “Why are you looking all Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard today?”
“Now that we’re back from the beach house, I need to be ready to run in the same powerful circles Liam does.”
“Of course.” It hits me that I don’t recall Liam taking any business calls at the safe house, and selfishly I’d never once noticed, let alone wondered how that impacted him. Just like when I’d asked him to run away with me and leave everything he’s ever accomplished and established behind.
“Hard to believe Liam has a Christmas tree,” Tellar comments, pulling me back into the conversation.
“Oh. Yes. We do. We didn’t like any of the choices Liam ordered,” I laugh, recalling the decorating process. “Liam turned the alignment of the ornaments into a precise architecture project.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Architecture is his life. Aside from you, that is.”
I feel rather queasy that Liam has ignored his business matters these past weeks. I can’t remember the last time he touched a pencil to a design.
“I’m helping my sister put her tree up tonight,” Tellar continues. “Anything to lift her spirits.” He scowls, the deep scar on his cheek making the look quite menacing. “That bastard ex of hers is doing a number on her.”
Forcing myself to focus on the conversation, I ask, “He’s giving her trouble?”
“He’s giving her the cold shoulder, and it’s killing her when she shouldn’t give a shit. They were together five years when he decided to give his secretary a go. She caught them in his office the night before Thanksgiving.”
“Yikes,” I say. “I guess my lonely holidays weren’t so bad after all.”
He levels me with a stare. “You won’t be alone this year or any year going forward. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I know. And it’s wonderful.”
His eyes light with approval and he lifts his cup in a toast. “To all kinds of wonderful.”
“To all kinds of wonderful,” I repeat, clinking my cup to his.
“Starting with the big party tonight,” he says. “I understand we need to take you shopping for a dress.”
“I have a few dresses Liam bought for me a while back. I need to go see if anything will work.”
He snorts. “Unless it’s dripping with gold, it won’t. That event will be a money farm.”
I almost choke on a sip of coffee “A money farm?”
“That’s what all those people will be there for. Farming money.”
“You’re making me really excited to attend.”
He shrugs. “Just keeping it real.”
“Thank goodness someone does.” Keeping it real, when so much in my life has been absolutely fake, is exactly what I love about Tellar, and why I have to corner him while I have this chance. “How do you feel about us being back and Liam roaming the streets without you?”
“What happened to all that brave talk you just fed me?”
“I’m braver about myself than about Liam.”
“Be bold or stay home,” he says. “And bold is the right move, Amy. I know you’re nervous. How can you not be after all you’ve been through? But the steps taken now will establish your freedom, and safety, for years to come.”
I nod. “I know. I do. What about Josh? What do you think of him?”
“He’s a good guy, and yes, I know Liam is bringing him into the mix and finding someone to follow up on any leads he generates.”
“And how do you feel about him keeping you out of it?”
He sets his cup down and rests his hands on the counter behind him. “Realistic enough to know that I’m too close to you and Liam to follow up on anything that brings attention to you both.”
“Are you going to help us pick someone to do it, then?”
“If Liam asks me to I will, but he is of the opinion the less I know, the better.”
My brow furrows. “But he told you about Josh.”
“Because anyone close to you needs to be on my radar.”
That makes no sense. “But Josh isn’t close to me.”
“Monitoring any red flags attached to you and Liam is close to you. And my job is to take care of you.”
The vehement way he makes the statement reminds me of how lucky we are to have him on our side. “Thank you, Tellar.”
“For what?”
“For being here for me so many times and in so many ways.”
He inhales and lets it out. “I’ve been wanting to say something to you for a while now.” I arch a brow and he answers with, “I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“The first night I met you, I misjudged you. I didn’t understand how alone, and without resources, you were. Surviving took perseverance and smarts few people would have had.”
“You were protecting Liam. And the PI you’d hired to help find me had just been killed for asking the wrong questions about me. I’d have judged me, too, in that situation.”
“You did nothing wrong. I was wrong.”
“I did nothing for far too long. I was afraid to ask questions. Afraid of being killed. Afraid of being without resources. My list could go on and on.”
“You were eighteen when your family died and you were told to hide or die. Rollin and his people were powerful adversaries. Had you started digging for answers, you would have been captured and used as a weapon to get Chad to hand over the cylinder. You did the right thing.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. It’s done now and I’m here. Chad’s alive. We’re taking steps to be aware of any threats.” I lift a finger. “And,” I add, “Liam is in my life to be overprotective and bossy. Strike that. You and Liam are in my life to be overprotective and bossy.”
“I’m not bossy.”
“Oh please. You love to bark out orders.”
“Only when necessary.”
“Did you get that from the same book of answers that Liam quotes?”
The garage door buzzes with Liam’s arrival and I push off the cabinet, fighting the urge to rush to him and ask for details about Josh.
“Relax,” Tellar urges. “I’m sure it went fine.”
I nod. When door finally opens, Liam rounds the island in a light gray suit with a white shirt and silver tie, his expression unreadable, jaw set hard, power radiating off him. He stops beside me, casting Tellar a look that sends him toward the door.
Liam steps in front of me, his hands settling at my waist, his big body pinning me against the counter, his piercing blue eyes holding mine until the door shuts, then says, “Do you have any idea how much I want to tear your pants off, set you on the counter, and fuck you right now?”
Heat rushes over me at the bold words he favors, and apparently, I do too, since my nipples pucker beneath my bra and I have to force my voice to ask, “To celebrate, or to work off frustrations?”
His gaze drops to my mouth, lingering, then lifts to meet my eyes. “Because I want to.” He inhales, settling his hands on either side of me. “But if I do that, I’ll take you to bed afterward, and I won’t let you up. And as appealing as that is, you need a dress for that party tonight.”
“Does that mean things were good or bad with Josh?”
“It went well, which means we need to establish a reason to have more contact with him.”
“Define ‘went well.’ ”
“I gave him a partial list of keywords to monitor and he’s going to begin this afternoon.”
“What did you tell him about the cylinder?”
“I told him it was a clean energy source that would rock the economy. That’s all he needed to know.”
He laces my fingers with his. “Let’s go shopping.” He leads me toward the door while I replay Tellar’s words in my mind. Go bold or stay home. I’ve been conditioned by past circumstances to feel fear rising in my belly—but that was then, and this is now. I’m not staying home.
A FEW MINUTES later, Tellar pulls the Bentley into heavy afternoon traffic. “Where to?” he calls over his shoulder.
“Saks Fifth Ave,” Liam instructs him.
I blanch at the outrageously expensive store he’s chosen. “It’s the Saturday before Christmas,” I argue. “The midtown stores are going to be even worse than the streets. Let’s go to some smaller place I know.”
“You aren’t picking a dress based on the price tag,” he replies, seeing right through my argument. “We need to get you over your fear of spending money.”
“It’s not fear,” I say. “It’s . . . discomfort.”
“Then your discomfort.” He glances at his watch. “We have a good four hours we can practice.”
“You make four hours sound like a lot, but it’s not. Especially considering lunch. I wish we’d had a little more notice before this party.” I cut him a look. “Speaking of which, Josh said you hadn’t told me about the party. When did you know about it?”
“When did I not? He holds this thing annually, and like clockwork, he calls me every December first to insist I attend. Also like clockwork, I ignore him. This year I don’t have that luxury, but you can bet I’ll preach the merits of better use of our funds for the future.”
I smile inside at the way he includes me with the use of the word our and his fierce determination to avoid parties. “Do you already have a tux?”
“I own one,” he confirms.
“What kind of recluse are you?” I tease.
“The kind that’s always prepared.”
“And always in control,” I tease again.
“Always,” he confirms, his eyes meeting mine, and there is no mistaking the erotic challenge burning in their depths.
While I normally enjoy being overwhelmed by his total alpha sexiness, I’m feeling like a bird whose wings are no longer clipped, and I have the urge to test his claim. Right here. Right now. “Always?” I ask softly.
His eyes narrow, darken, and there is no question that he’s read between the intended lines. I hold my breath, certain I have tempted the wolf.
“I’m pulling up to the building to let you off while I park,” Tellar announces. “Unless you want to come with me while I park.”
“Pulling up is fine,” Liam says, shackling my arm and leaning into me, his cheek to mine, his breath warm on my neck as he whispers, “Whatever naughty thought you have in mind, I can promise you, mine is ten times naughtier. I’d suggest you lock the dressing room door, unless you want to find out.” He releases me, leaving my body buzzing and my cheeks flushed as he opens the door and exits the car.
Feeling warm all over, I abandon my coat as Liam has, sliding the Chanel purse he bought me crosswise over my body, and for no apparent reason I think of the gun he insists I carry with me. Glancing toward the door, Liam offers me his hand, his gaze meeting mine. I tilt my head, seeing the challenge in his action, the control he wishes to claim. His sexy, sometimes punishing mouth curves, an erotic challenge igniting the air, several charged seconds clicking by before we both start laughing for no reason at all.
He claims my hands and helps me out of the car, and the next thing I know he’s molding me close to him, his hand pressed to the small of my back. “I love you, Amy Bensen,” he murmurs, his breath a warm fan on my cheek in the cold winter air.
“I love you, too, Liam Stone,” I say, inhaling the scent of nuts cooking at a street vendor’s cart as the energy on the street expands around me, people bustling here and there and everywhere it seems. And I know in this moment why I was more comfortable here than in Texas. This place long ago became my home. “And I love this, too.”
“This?” he inquires, leaning back to give me a curious look.
“The people and the energy of the city.” I grin at the sound of a guitar strumming “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” “The street vendors and musicians.” I flatten my hand on his chest, over his heart. “The fact that we’re safe enough to let Tellar park the car and we’re here alone.”
He drapes his arm around me and we weave our way through the crowded sidewalk to the store’s entrance. Irritatingly, a prickling sensation begins on my neck, and I smash the urge to look over my shoulder. I’m just being paranoid. Tellar is watching us, no one else, and my fear will not be bolder than me.
PART SIX
The Dressing Room
LIAM AND I REACH THE STORE as an elderly woman is struggling with the door. He quickly opens it for her, and she stares at him with such gratitude that he and I are both smiling as we enter, hand in hand. Warmth welcomes us as we step onto the white tiled floor. My gaze does a fleeting scan of the glittering glass cases holding cosmetics, perfumes, and accessories, while luxury handbags are displayed across the aisle. It’s a stunning first impression, but my real focus is the magical white Christmas tree directly in front of us, towering at least fifteen feet high.
My gaze catches on the gorgeous crystal angel on top when Liam announces, “This way to the ladies’ department,” and starts pulling me forward.
“Wait,” I say, digging my heels in and halting our process, pointing at my discovery.
“The tree topper?” he confirms.
“Yes.” I step in front of him and place my hands on his chest. “What do you think? Because I think it’s magnificent.”
“Magnificent,” he repeats, his eyes lighting with my description. “Sounds like we have to have it.”
“Not if you don’t like it. Do you like it?”
He cups my head and kisses me. “Yes, baby. I like it.” Releasing me, he glances around, motioning to a petite red-haired woman who rushes to our aid. “We want it,” he states, indicating the angel.
She laughs. “You wouldn’t believe how many people ask about that angel, but unfortunately that’s how I discovered it’s not for sale.”
Liam doesn’t laugh. “We want it,” he restates, removing his wallet from his pocket. “If you don’t sell it, we need to know who does.” He hands her his store card. “Whatever the cost, we’ll pay it, including your services to locate a new one.”
Her eyes go wide and she looks uncomfortable, glancing at the card. “Mr. Stone. I apologize. It’s not really a matter of cost. It’s been on the tree for years. The manufacturer went out of business.”
“Then we’ll take this one.”
She shakes her head. “You aren’t the first to ask that, either. Management won’t allow us to sell it.”
Liam’s lips quirk as if she’s said something amusing. “Why don’t you let me take the pressure off of you,” he glances at her badge, “Ms. Williams? I’ll talk to your manager.”
“Oh well. Yes, of course. I’ll find her. Where will you be?”
“Ladies formal wear,” Liam says, his hand settling on the small of my back.
“Yes sir. I’ll find you.” She turns and rushes away.
Liam and I start across the floor toward the elevators. “We’ll just have to find another one,” I say. “It’s not that big a deal.”
“You want that one,” he states stubbornly. “You’re getting that one.”
I stop and grab his arm, halting him. “Liam. I’m fine with another topper.”
“I’m not,” he says, lacing our fingers together. “Come. We need to find a dressing room.”
He puts us in motion, forcing me to double-step to keep pace with him. “We don’t need to find a dressing room, Liam Stone,” I insist, feeling panicked at the idea of being caught. He ignores my words that are a measure of defiance in the act that is all kinds of sexy when it shouldn’t be. Not now. I’m just too used to staying off the radar to take this risk. “I’m locking the door,” I vow.
He casts me another one of those wolfish looks he’d given me in the car and leads me between the racks of clothes. “If there is one.”
I glower. “You have to behave, Liam Stone. I know you’re just teasing me. You’re too private of a person to be serious. And I need to find a dress and eat. I’m starving.”
This time, he’s the one who stops and faces me. “I’m starving, Amy, but not for food.” His voice is pure wicked heat, his aqua eyes a shade deeper than normal. “But,” he adds, “you are right. I am private in all things. I fully intend to have you all to myself. Which is why you need to try on a dress.”
We take an elevator, continuing our banter as we go to exit and walk down a hallway where he glances at the glass doors beside us. I follow his lead to discover that we’re at the entrance to the store’s private bridal boutique.
My chest pinches with some unrecognizable emotion I don’t try to analyze. “No. No. We don’t have time to do this today.”
“They’ll bring you party dresses to try on.”
“We haven’t even decided on where we’re getting married. I don’t know what kind of dress I want.”
He pulls me to him, pressing me into a nook behind a wall of clothes that hides us from the open shopping area. “Let’s decide now. Baby, I want to marry you. The sooner we make decisions, the sooner I make that happen.”
“But we said New Year’s Eve?”
“Are you happy with that?”
“Yes. I love that idea.”
“Then we have a date. What about a location? Anywhere, Amy. On a plane. In Egypt. In Texas. Italy is romantic, or—”
“In our home. I want to be home. If that’s okay with you?”
He strokes the hair from where it has fallen over my eyes. “I said anywhere and I meant it. The time, the place, the details—they’re important because they’re what you choose. I just want you, Amy.”
It’s exactly the right answer. “I swear, Liam Stone. Somehow you manage to be bossy, arrogant, and demanding, and remarkably still say and do all of the right things.”
“Because you understand me the way I do you. We belong together, Amy. On some level, I believe I knew that the moment we first made eye contact. We were always heading to ‘I do.’ ”
The idea that I met him because my parents died and neither could exist in my life in unison is like glass in all my many open wounds. Tears pool in my eyes. “I swear, I’ve wanted to cry way too much the past two days.”
Liam cups my face and thumbs away the dampness. “What just upset you? Talk to me.”
“I wish we could share this with the people we’ve loved and lost. My mom and dad. Your mom and Alex.”
He turns his head a moment and I can almost feel his mood shift, before he looks at me. “We’ve both loved and lost too much, too young. It’s why we were both alone when we met. It’s going to impact who we are together. I know it’s why I’m overbearingly protective and impossible at times. You’re going to have to call me on it, Amy, but know that it’s because I love you.”
I smile. “Remember you said that, when I’m being overbearingly paranoid and worried.”
“I will. Right after I respond by being bossy, arrogant, and—”
“Demanding,” I finish, laughing, and loving that he can joke about himself.
“Demanding,” he concurs, his tone softening. “We’ll deal with whatever Godzilla comes our way, baby.”
I grin at the silly metaphor I’d made up the first night I met him. “And the sharks swimming at our feet?” I ask, reminding him of something he’d said.
“And the sharks,” he agrees, kissing my knuckles. “Now. What do you say we go get you a couple of dresses?”
“We?” I ask, appalled. “You can’t see my wedding dress. It has to be a surprise at the wedding.” He ignores my objection, dragging me out of the nook. “Liam,” I warn. “I’m serious.”
He opens the glass door to the bridal boutique. “I’ll stay in the waiting area inside the boutique.”
I glower despite the firm set of his jaw telling me he’s not going to give in on this. Still, I have to try. “If you’re worried about my safety, there’s only one door. You stay out here and guard the door.”
Looking amused at my efforts to dissuade him, he just stands there, not even bothering to argue, as if he’s already won.
My lips purse because he has won. “Fine. But I’m not showing you the dresses.”
His lips quirk. “Understood.”
“Miss me?” Tellar asks, appearing by Liam’s side only to have his eyes go wide at the view beyond the glass door Liam holds. “Clearly I’ve missed some big wedding news.”
I smile and hold up my hand and he whistles in reply. “That’s what I call commitment.”
I can’t resist a little teasing. “Want to be my flower boy, Tellar?”
“Only if I get a new dress, too,” he jokes.
I shake my head, grinning inside and out as I make my way past an elegant white leather love seat to a wall of dresses. Excitement bubbles inside me as I admire one gown after another, but most feel overdone for our small wedding. Deciding I had better focus on tonight’s dress first, I turn to seek out an attendant, and find Liam and a gray-haired woman with a measuring tape hanging over her shoulders in conversation.
The woman hustles away and Liam claims the love seat, and I close the short distance between us. Stopping in front of him, my hands on my hips, I start to ask him about his exchange with the attendant.
“Good news!” His hand closes over one of mine, sending tingles all the way down my leg. “I told the store attendant to make sure you spend a ridiculous amount of money.”
“I don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money!”
“Don’t say that to her; she works on commission. You’ll ruin her day. Choose what you love, baby. Don’t let price decide. You’re mine. You’re only getting married once.”
I cup his face and kiss him. “And you’re mine, Mr. Stone.”
“Indeed, Mrs. Stone,” is his reply.
“Mrs. Stone,” I repeat, loving how it sounds.
“Here’s the bride-to-be.”
At the sound of the attendant’s voice, I kiss him again and turn to find her smiling, crinkles forming around her eyes.
“Amy,” Liam says. “Meet Betty.”
“Hi, Betty,” I greet.
“Nice to meet you, Amy. Mr. Stone helped me estimate your size, and since the approach of tonight’s event is imminent, I’ve selected some evening gowns and placed them in a room for you.”
“Excellent,” I reply. “I’m ready.”
She turns on her heel and I follow her, waving over my shoulder at Liam before we disappear down a hallway. Betty opens one of the doors and then faces me, lacing her fingers in front of her. “While you try on the formal gowns, I’ll pull some wedding options. Can you share some details about the venue, and if you have a style or dream dress in mind?”
“The wedding is going to be very small and intimate.”
“Then I’d say understated and elegant?” she queries.
I nod and tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
Her eyes go wide. “Oh my. Your ring is spectacular. May I?”
“Oh yes,” I say, proudly extending my hand.
She studies the stone, then says, “I have the perfect dress. I’ll be back.” She hustles down the walkway and once again I’m smiling, something that is becoming a wonderful habit today.
I walk into the giant dressing room and shut the door, looking at the six dresses displayed around the room. I’m instantly drawn to an aqua gown that closely matches the color of Liam’s eyes. Slipping my purse over my head, I drop it on a chair and move closer to view my choice, loving the embroidered bodice and the sheer sleeves and fitted, long skirt. I dig around for a price tag and find none, and when I move to the next dress and do the same, I come up empty. Liam’s doing, no doubt.
Sighing, I cave to the idea that I won’t know the prices unless I ask, and even that is questionable. Feeling rather excited to try on my choice, I undress. Once I’m zipped into the aqua dress, I inspect myself in the mirror, disappointed to find the dress clings to my hips and makes them look wrong in all kinds of ways. A knock sounds on the door and I open it to have Betty enter and hang up a pale pink one-shoulder, A-line dress. I gasp at the perfection of the color. “I love it,” I say. “I can’t wait to try it on. Oh please, let it fit.”
“We can alter it if we need to,” she assures me, and motions to an elegant white lace gown she’s also selected with a pale pink sash at the waist. “This could be paired with a pink veil, or you could go all white except for the sash.”
“It’s pretty. Very pretty, but I really love the pink one.”
She smiles her approval. “I do, too.” Her brow furrows as she gives me a once-over. “That doesn’t fit you right.”
I laugh, and she earns respect for honesty. “I love the color, though.”
“The color suits you, but not the dress. I have another one. I’ll be back,” she says, and disappears out the door.
Ten times more excited than I was about the party dress, I waste no time stripping it off and reaching for the pink one, eager to try it on. Zipping it up, I warn myself not to be too hopeful. The odds of loving the first gown brought to me are next to zero. Inhaling, I turn to the mirror and elation follows. The form-fitting style is elegant and sexy, and the sheer drape over one shoulder is romantic the way a wedding gown should be.
But shouldn’t it be white? This is my one wedding, and white is traditional the first time you marry. Unbidden, a memory of my mother and me shopping for my prom dress washes over me. I miss her and suddenly feel very alone. I have no one but Betty to ask about my dress. Or Tellar, I think, and the thought is so comical it cheers me up a bit.
Still, I swallow a ball of emotion and unzip myself to hang the dress back on the hanger, reaching for the second choice. Once it’s on, I tie the pink sash and inspect my image again, and it’s really quite lovely. I like that it’s strapless and the white silk material is simple elegance, the skirt’s slight flare quite feminine. And the pink sash is just enough to highlight my ring.
I sit down and sigh. I need an opinion. I’ll ask Betty. She’s honest, at least. Heck. Maybe I really will ask for Tellar to come back and look, or break tradition and ask Liam. I stand up, liking that idea. He’s my other half and my best friend, too. I sit back down. I like tradition. I’m not asking Liam. I want the dress to be a surprise for him on our wedding day. Maybe I’ll buy them both and return the one I don’t wear.
The door opens abruptly without a knock and I jump to my feet, thinking Liam has come to make good on his erotic promise, only to see a young woman with a dark bob and thick glasses walk in and close the door. I blink at her face and blink again. I can’t be seeing right—but then I realize the hair is a wig, that this brunette is actually a blonde.
I gasp. “What are you doing here, Meg?”
