Liam (9 page)

“As for going home,” her father continued, “I don’t guess there’s much I can do to stop you.” He sighed. “Just be careful and keep your gun close.”

Meg nodded and stood. She leaned over and kissed her father on the head.

“I’m really glad you loved her first.” She smiled. “Thanks for telling me.”

He waved her off as she grabbed her bag. In addition to her gun, she’d need to put on some comfortable clothes.

Chapter Nine

Liam gripped the steering wheel with such strength that his fingers went slightly numb.

Part of him had thought the call from Mr. Allen must be some sort of mistake. He stared at her car parked out front. It had been a mistake, but not one made by her father.

Liam stepped out of the car and made his way past hers. He placed his hand on the hood. Still warm. She hadn’t been home long.

As he approached the house, he frowned. It didn’t seem like she could have been home long enough to go to bed, but with all the lights out, she must have. This only angered him more. She hadn’t even waited for him to show up before going to sleep.

When he reached the door, he banged hard against the wood. He could just make out through the beveled glass when a light came on at the back of the house. He waited a bit more at the door before banging on it again.

“Damn it, Meg. I know you’re home,” he shouted, certain he was waking a few of the neighbors. The light through the window flickered slightly, and he froze. The smell of smoke drifted through a gap in the frame. “Fuck.”

Liam tossed himself hard against the door. It creaked and moaned under the pressure. He threw himself again against the door and grunted as his shoulder popped. He ignored the pulsing pain and rammed the door yet again. It splintered and swung hard inside.

The air was thick with smoke, and he struggled to see.

“Meg,” he yelled as loud as he could.

He raced to the kitchen at the back of the house, where the orange glow originated. His heart jumped into his throat. She was lying there on the floor, unmoving. Liam dropped to his knees next to her, ignoring the flames on the other side of the room. His fingers clumsily searched for a pulse.

Never in his life had he been so relieved.

The heat from the flames finally registered. He lifted her easily and raced to get her out of the smoke-filled house. He placed her on the ground and ran back to the door. He could already hear the fire trucks in the distance, but he might be able to stop it from being worse than it already was. After pulling off his shirt, he covered his mouth before going back inside.

He yanked open the door underneath the sink and gave a sign of relief when he spotted the extinguisher. Liam ran his shirt under some water and tied it around his mouth and nose. It wouldn’t stop the smoke, but it did help. He approached the back of the kitchen with caution. It seemed like the fire started in the trashcan and had engulfed the drapes to the back window.

Liam released the pin and let loose the spray. Almost immediately, the flames started to sputter out. By the time the can was nearly empty, firemen were pouring in with their own equipment.

“Are you all right, sir?” one asked.

“I’m fine,” he said.

He nodded to several as he passed out the door. When he reached the safety of the grass, Liam dropped to his knees, took off the shirt around his face and sucked in the fresh air. It burned, and he coughed loudly.

He jumped when a hand soothed his back.

“Are you okay?” Meg put her face in front of his. Worry written all over.

Liam reached up and pulled her hard against him. “Thank God,” he whispered.

That had been close. Too close. If he had even been five minutes later, it could have been a totally different outcome. He smoothed his hand along her hair and pulled her even closer to him.

Ignoring the chaos around them, Liam pulled back and press his lips firmly to hers.

Meg kissed him back with force and wrapped her arms around his neck. She blinked a few times when he pulled back.

“What the hell were you doing here?” he asked harshly.

Meg flinched at his question and looked down.

“You could have…” He stopped himself mid-sentence and took a moment to compose himself. “It was stupid and childish.”

Meg flinched again but looked up to meet his eyes. “You’re right,” she said quietly.

He leaned back and stared at her with confusion.

“I put myself in danger, and I put you in danger.” Her heart hurt at what she’d just put him through, all to prove a point. Tears leaked down her face as she stared at the odd shape of his shoulder.

“Oh my God.” She stared at his arm. “You need a medic,” she said and started to get up. His large hand on hers stopped her from moving.

“I just want to get you the hell out of here,” he said firmly and stood using his good arm.

“But your arm,” she said.

Liam stared hard at her. “If either of us should see a medic, it should be you.” He reached out and rubbed the small lump on the side of her head. She hissed with pain. “Does that hurt?” He frowned.

Meg gave him a weak smile. “Only when you rub it.”

His frowned deepened.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Meg turned to see Reed and Kace staring at all the firemen in her yard.

She looked between the two of them and wondered how they had even heard.

“I got the call that there was a suspected fire and gave Reed a call,” Kace said to her. “I’m going to see where we’re at with all of this.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Liam said to Reed as Kace walked over to talk with the firemen. “I need to get her out of here.”

Reed frowned. “It was deliberate?”

“I think so,” Liam said.

Meg stepped between them.

“It was deliberate. I came home and got clocked in the head.” She frowned. “Next thing I knew, I was watching Liam run into the house he had just saved me from.”

Reed stared hard at her. “What the hell were you doing here?”

She swallowed hard.

“She was meeting me.” Liam stepped in front of her. “My meeting with Finn took just a little longer than expected.”

Reed nodded. “I’m just glad you got here when you did,” he said.

Liam nodded and stared hard at her. “Me too,” he said softly.

Meg swallowed and jumped when Kace spoke loudly behind her.

“Seems like the damage is mostly superficial,” he said. “They are still investigating it all, and the police will need to take a statement, but they said it could wait until morning.”

Liam nodded. “Good,” he said. “Would you get her bag while I get an icepack for her?”

Reed gave a funny look as the others left to do their tasks.

“Bringing your bag for a stakeout?” He raised a brow.

Meg twisted her hands. “It was my fault. I was stupid,” she said and frowned. “But I’m still not talking to you.”

Reed sighed. “I’m likely to blame for some of this,” he said. “Meg, did you ever think that maybe I was on your side?”

She looked up to him and glared. “No.”

Reed chuckled. “What if I was trying to make him choose? Trying to get him to take the steps, so you’d both be happy.”

Meg thought on it. She’d never known Reed to be cruel. Maybe that was his intent.

“You are my baby sister,” he said quietly. “I just want you to be happy.”

For the second time that night, tears slipped down her face.

“Thanks,” she choked out.

“What the fuck?” Liam growled. She turned to look at him. For once, it wasn’t her he was glaring at.

“Relax,” Reed said and held up his hands. “We were making up.”

Liam turned his eyes to hers, and she nodded.

“Here,” he said and thrust an ice pack into her hand. When she didn’t immediately press it to her head, he sighed and guided her hand to the lump.

Meg hissed at the contact. His thumb made soothing circles at the pulse on her wrist.

“Can you handle this?” He nodded to the firemen.

Reed nodded. “Take her home.”

Still holding her wrist, Liam pulled her close to him. “We’ll call tomorrow,” he said.

He pulled her gently along and stopped at the car. Kace had just loaded up her suitcase into his car.

Liam nodded to the house. “Her keys are in the bowl.”

Kace gave a curt nod and strolled back to the scene.

“What about your arm?” she said softly.

Liam opened the passenger door and ushered her in. When he climbed into the driver side, she watched as he took several deep breaths.

He grabbed his arm and slammed it upward. He grunted in pain and closed his eyes. Meg pulled the icepack from her head and pressed it gently to his shoulder.

“That’s for your head,” he said, his eyes still closed.

“My head is fine,” she said. “Please,” she said softly. “Just use it.”

Liam looked over to her, his eyes holding something she’d never seen before.

“Hold it for me while I drive.”

Meg nodded as he started the car. When they pulled away, she sighed. Someone had tried to burn her house down and kill her. She had put Liam in danger and was now going to have to tell her parents what an idiot she had been. She closed her eyes. Some days really should have a do-over button.

* * *

Liam knew she was asleep when the icepack moved further and further away from his shoulder. At least the throbbing had subsided to a dull ache. A little ibuprofen would likely take care of that.

He stopped outside his small rental house and glanced over at her. There was no way he’d be able to carry her in tonight now that his adrenaline had left him.

“Meg,” he said softly.

Her beautiful brown eyes blinked open. His heart melted when she smiled sleepily at him. It took her a few seconds more before she frowned.

“I thought you were taking me to my parents,” she said, clearly confused.

Liam shook his head. “Too dangerous,” he said. “You’re better with me.”

Meg sat up and looked at his place.

“Is this your house?” She looked at the house through the window.

“It was either this or the family cabin,” he said.

He had been very close to taking her out there. If they could wait until all this passed, it might be the better choice.

Liam cringed as she stared with interest at his house. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had someone over to his house. For the most part, he spent his time by himself, learning new skills and practicing old ones.

She climbed out of the car, and he followed. When she went around back, he cursed.

Meg struggled to pull out her bag, and he slipped in beside her.

“You shouldn’t,” she said.

“Just let me,” he said quietly and was surprised when she stepped back.

He pulled hard on the bag, and it came out easily.

Meg shut the back hatch. He locked the doors. She walked beside him as they made their way to the door.

Liam swallowed when the lock popped open, and the door swung in. He watched as she walked in and looked around the living room.

He knew there wasn’t much to look at and cringed. The living room was basically just a TV on a cheap tray, one love seat and a lamp in the corner. His dining area was even worse, with only a folding table and four folding chairs. Meg turned back to him, determination in her eyes.

“You need to take a shower,” she said.

Liam frowned as he closed the front door behind them and walked down the little hall to his room, suitcase in hand.

“Do I stink?” he asked frankly.

“What? No.” She laughed. “It will help your shoulder.”

Liam set the case near the bed. “I’m fine,” he said.

Meg stepped in front of him. “You are not fine,” she said firmly. “Now go take a shower.”

Liam sighed and grabbed out a shirt and pants.

“Fine,” he grumbled. “Just don’t go anywhere.”

Meg nodded.

Liam went into the bathroom next to his bedroom and locked the door. Following the motions, he turned on the water and waited for it to heat up. He stared at himself in the mirror. He’d forgotten his lack of shirt in all the chaos. Not that he would have been able to put it back on. Wet and likely ruined from the chemicals in the extinguisher, it would be better if he just tossed it. Soot marked his skin.

He touched his shoulder. It wasn’t as bad as it could be. Tender but nothing permanent. Besides, there had been no choice at the time.

He leaned over and gripped the sink. Images of her still lying on the floor clouded his mind. It had been so close. Too close. He spent all this time thinking that he should be pushing her away when maybe the safest place for her was at his side.

Liam groaned. Nothing about this was going to turn out well. He was damned either way, but he didn’t need to decide all this right now. For now, he wanted to wash off this shit day and figure out where the hell he was going to sleep.

Chapter Ten

Meg walked around the sparsely decorated bedroom. She was surprised to see the bed was made, and everything was in neat order. Of course, it really shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise. Liam was meticulous whenever it came to work, and it only made sense that this would extend to his home.

She pulled her suitcase to the corner and rummaged through the clothes inside. Things were getting a little dicey when it came to sleeping attire. She hadn’t really cared much in London because her housemates were gay, and, in truth, they were getting in so late that it hadn’t really mattered what she wore to bed since she usually was ready to just pass out from exhaustion.

She held up the lacy nightgown that she’d picked up there. It was cream, dipped low on her chest and hugged every little curve. The other option included a shorts and tank set that was cute but wasn’t going to set off any fire alarms.

Meg grabbed the cream nightgown and tossed it on the bed. She listened to the shower running in the bathroom and pulled her shirt overhead. Her pants hit the floor. She picked them up and folded them neatly back on top of the suitcase. No need to clutter the space.

The door squeaked, and she whirled around. Liam stood at the door, towel wrapped around his waist, body still dripping wet from the shower