The night had been so carefree and fun, surely something terrible was about to happen. That’s how my life worked, right? One minute, things are going fantastically well, the next minute I’m turning into a fucking rage monster that blacks out and levitates off the ground.
To my surprise, the air was quiet and still. I felt relieved that everything had remained peaceful. Saying our goodbyes, I hugged each woman tightly. I held Sabrina a few seconds longer.
She pulled back at arm’s length and studied my face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great. Couldn’t be better.” I forced a smile.
“I don’t believe you for one damn second.” Sabrina rolled her eyes and pulled me into another hug. “Enjoy the rest of your night with Ty. Stop allowing your worries about the future to affect the present.”
I pulled away and squeezed her hands. “You’re right. I’ll try.”
Ty and I lingered at the club after everyone else had left, waving from the front doors as they drove away. He slipped his hand into mine and led me back into the main ballroom. I glanced around the empty room. All the glasses and plates had been cleared away. We stood in the middle of the dance floor, and my heart damn near jumped out of my chest when he shouted, “Hit it!”
The lights in the room dimmed, and the soft strains of romantic music filled the air as Ty pulled me close, his hands resting gently on my waist.
As we swayed to the music, my heart overflowed with love for this incredible man. I gazed up at him through hooded eyes, and my lips curved into a sultry smile. “Ty, did you plan all this?”
He pulled me even closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, “I’ve been waiting all night to have you alone on this dance floor.”
I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest, inhaling his scent, melting into his warm embrace. It was as if every worry seemed to vanish at that moment.
“Did you enjoy your night?”
“More than you know.” I smiled up at him. “I really needed this.”
“I know you’re under a lot of pressure.” He spoke with such sincerity, his gray eyes filled with compassion and understanding. “I know I’ve said this before, but I will continueto repeat myself until you have complete faith in what I’m saying. You’re not alone, Liza. I’m with you always, whatever comes our way. We’ll face it together.”
83
TY
The heavy, uncomfortable silence nearly suffocated me as Liza, Dad, Isaiah, and Bryce gathered in my office. It had been several days since Zephyr had deciphered the letter, and Liza was now ready to make the call to her brother.
Excitement shone in her wide eyes, the iridescent blue reflecting in the soft glow of the sun through the office windows.
I took her hand in mine as I sat next to her at my desk. “Are you ready? There’s no pressure. If you’re not, no one is pushing you. I just want you to know you can stop at any time.”
She stared at the letter her parents had left for her. “I’m not going to lie, I’m scared, but I’m also really excited to speak to my brother... I have so many questions.” She sat silent for a moment, then she squeezed my hand. “Make the call, Ty.”
I grabbed the phone and dialed the number listed at the bottom of the coded letter from Liza’s parents. We’d agreed beforehand to have the call on loudspeaker just in case this was some ruse that might place Liza in danger.
In my mind, I’d imagined this, Liam sitting by the phone all these years, hoping to hear from a sister he assumed to be deadthat he’d grab the phone up after only one ring, excited to be reunited. But instead, a woman’s hesitant tone greeted us.
“Hello?”
“Good afternoon. This is Alpha Keller speaking. May I ask who’s on the line?” I kept my tone light and friendly.
There was a brief moment of hesitation before the woman said, “Isabel Russell.”
“Isabel.” She certainly wasn’t who we were looking for. “I’m trying to reach Liam. Is he available?”
“Um, I’m sorry. We haven’t seen or heard from Liam in almost ten years.” Her voice quivered slightly.
My eyebrows furrowed at this revelation. In the letter Liza’s parents had written that she should phone this number to speak to Liam, and that he’d answer her questions. If he’d left ten years before, why not take the number with him? Why keep the number live but not keep it with you?
Liza’s shocked expression matched my own. She wiped a tear tracking down her cheek. It felt like we’d come one step forward and taken two back.
Considering the money recently sent to Liza, and that anonymous email, supposedly from Liam, we’d thought it meant he wanted some form of contact with his sister.
