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Standing beneath the streetlight, feeling much safer than before, I furrowed my brows at him.
Catching on to my confusion, he gestured to the building. “Let me see you inside. I want to make sure you get in safe.”
His new determination to protect me came as a surprise, but I couldn’t deny how much it comforted me. He didn’t have to, especially not after the digging I had done. I had intended on meeting with his old boss to learn exactly what he did to burn them, yet Liam had no idea.
Guilt squeezed my heart, but I tried to push it away.
Not wanting to fight him on it, I nodded and led the way to the lobby.
We walked up the short flight of stairs in silence, and I spent that time wondering why Liam hadn’t just dropped me off. He could’ve waited in the truck until he saw my light turn on, but he insisted on going with me.
My cheeks warmed at the thought.
After unlocking the door and heading inside, Liam followed and looked around while I took my things off.
“Can I get you some coffee?” I asked, feeling like it was the least I could do. “I have decaf.”
“Sure, that would be great,” he replied, kicking his boots off, along with his jacket and the bulkier parts of his uniform. He left everything neatly by the door while I went to the kitchen.
As I prepared the kettle, reaching for two mugs, sugar, and milk, I felt as Liam joined me not long after.
“I didn’t mention it before, but this place is exactly how I’d picture your home to look like,” he commented lightly, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.
I snickered. “What do you mean?”
“It’s relatively small and not overly flashy. You have random newspapers stacked in your living room, random notes everywhere, and just enough sentimental items to make it familiar to you,” Liam answered, wearing a small smile as he looked around my mostly unassuming kitchen. “It’s completely fitting for you.”
“I can’t say I’m much of an interior designer,” I murmured, waiting for the coffee to brew. “I guess that’s why I’m a journalist.”
“My place isn’t any better. I can count my furniture on one hand.”
“At least you have an excuse,” I commented, feeling strangely comfortable despite Liam still being there.
He shrugged. “It’s a shame it will probably always look that way.”
When the coffee was ready, I filled the two mugs and handed one to Liam, who stirred in his sugar and milk.
Standing in the kitchen together, we both sipped our coffee, and my mind snapped right back to the woods. To the man and how defeated I had felt before Liam showed up.
As the silence settled between us, I shook my head.
“I know it’s not the most important part, but I’m angry at myself.”
“What for?” He asked, gaze lacking judgment.
“For not being able to defend myself. I always pride myself on being strong, but I froze in the moment. I tried to fight him off, but I didn’t do as much as I could have,” I answered, feeling that wash of shame all over again. “I should’ve used my magic, but he caught me off-guard. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself for not knowing how to react,” Liam began gently, surprising me with his empathy. “You were vulnerable, and he took advantage of it. You were ambushed.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh, finding it hard to believe I had done all that I could. “I just always thought I would do more in that kind of situation. It was terrifying.”
“I don’t think most people would know what to do in that situation.”
“But you did,” I murmured, remembering how brave he had been. “You did what I couldn’t do. Again, thank you for being there.”
“Of course. That’s why I joined the Task Force. I’m glad I had been there.”
The sincerity in his voice made a strange sensation run through me, and I didn’t mind talking to him then.
