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The glint in his eyes dulled and a crease formed between his brows. “Why's it yellow?”
Silence.
He arched a brow at Ava. “And what's with the yellow sweater?”
I fidgeted with my fingers. “We, um … I …” Well, this was awkward.
Thankfully, he did not give me a chance to explain. “My advice? It’s hideous and is a terrible pick for you.”
He straightened up, his full six-four height more evident as he led us to the dusty living room. It was clear that his presence in the house had not yet been registered.
The side of my face sizzled from Ava's hot glare, and I lifted my hands halfway up in mock surrender, shuffling forward to avoid a direct hit of her wrath.
“Point made; point made.”
She lightly whacked my shoulder with her hand and took the spot beside Liam on the sofa to get back at me.
In a moment, the three of us were talking about my times at boarding school, laughing, and digging into the yellow cake that Liam refused to admit blew his mind. He told us of his adventures in some foreign countries and some risky jobs he took to survive for a few months.
I knew that some of the stories were made up, but that didn't dampen the fascination of his narrative. He gesticulated with his hands in the air, the gray in his eyes sparkled, and every now and then he threw in his typical cocky grin to emphasize the handsome charm that had gotten him into warm beds at night.
We helped him clean up the dusty frames and tables, while he finished up the rest of the cake.
“This could go down well with a cup of Julie's special coffee,” he said to Ava, but I could feel his smile at the back of my head. I spun to face him.
“What?” He laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ll make a fuss because I requested it? I’ve missed the rich taste of your—”
“Okay, okay. Enough with the flattery.” I threw the rag aside and stomped past him with the ghost of a content grin on my lips. “I'll be right out.”
“Make it two!” Ava yelled behind me, right before I disappeared into the kitchen.
They began talking about more of his travels before their voices faded into the background. There was dust everywhere. Liam had not been home in two years, and his last visit had lasted as long as my altercation with Mr. McGuire.
Less than forty-five minutes.
But he was back now, and it seemed like he was going to stay for a while. Knowing that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
It appeared like things were finally getting back to normal.
With a wistful smile, I set to work wiping and cleaning the dusty ceramic mugs, before bringing out the coffee maker.
Then there was a heavy knock on the door from outside. It was abrupt and brisk. Ava and Liam interrupted their conversation.
I swayed my hips to the side and hummed.
Hmm, strange, was he expecting someone? Maybe a few of his friends had heard he'd returned and decided to give him a warm surprise welcome?
“More guests?” I asked, but my question was met with silence and nothing but the faint creaking of wood as the door pulled back.
Suddenly, Ava released a blood-curdling scream, and my body froze.
I dropped the mug on the counter, wiped my hands on my jeans, and held my breath. Not guests, my heart hammered. Intruders.
Intruders!
I rushed out of the kitchen, and back into the living room. My chest constricted and all the air in my lungs escaped into a silent scream.
Ava's back was pressed against the body of a huge man whose large, tattooed arm was wrapped around her neck. Terrifying was the least of the words to describe him. He had dark hair and deep, dark siren eyes that made sinners want to confess.
