Liam’s expression softened as he relaxed in his chair. “Ah, yes. Telepathy. I discovered it when I was a kid. As far as I’m aware, I’m the only one who has it. From the research I’ve done, all alphas in our bloodline have a special gift. This is mine. It comes in handy when I’m… working.”
I frowned. A pang of jealousy struck me somewhere in my belly. “So, I can’t do it?”
“No.” He chuckled. “You’re an omega, Liza. You have your own gifts, like those incredible healing powers of yours.”
“Great,” I said under my breath. “I can heal people, but I can’t talk to them in their heads. That’s convenient.”
Liam laughed softly, and for a brief moment, he didn’t look like a dangerous mob boss, but just a brother trying to connect with his long-lost sister.
“Come on,” he said, standing up from his chair. “I want to show you something.”
He led me down the hall to his office, which was a room filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, antique furniture, and anenormous desk covered with paperwork and files. He gestured toward a stack of documents on one corner of the desk. “This is everything I’ve gathered on the Kellers over the years,” he said. “When you mated with Ty Keller, I assumed they’d taken you in because of your powers and wanted to use them for their own gain.”
I stared at the files, and an icy chill ran down my spine. Liam had come very close to making a devastating mistake.
“They were completely unaware that I’m an omega. No one apart from my adoptive parents and the doctor knew.” I looked up at him, searching for some understanding. “It was only recently that they discovered what I really was. Dominic took the Kellers down a different path after everything that happened at Heather Falls. All their businesses are legitimate now.”
Liam had the good grace to blush.
I hesitated to think what that meant. “Whatever you’ve done, Liam, make it right. The Kellers are good people.”
He nodded. “We’ll figure this out together. Whatever it takes.”
Relief mingled with trepidation as I eyed the files. Liam might not be the brother I remembered, but he was family. I had to believe that now he knew Ty and I were fated mates, he really wouldn’t proceed with his plans.
Liam’s demeanor suddenly became serious as he leaned against the edge of his desk. “Can you tell me everything you remember about the night our father, our pack, was destroyed?”
I chewed the inside of my cheek, wondering where to start.
“Castro.” I paused, finding it difficult to even say his name without being nauseated. “He played a big part in what happened that night. He orchestrated the massacre of the Wylde pack, then used the Kellers as a scapegoat for our father’s death.”
Liam’s face twisted with fury. “I remember him.” He growled as he spat out the words. “He was fixated on you, Liza. Obsessed.His every action proved that. It was unnatural. Unhealthy. It’s partly why Josef had to send me away from the pack. He still met with me to train me to be a good alpha, but it had to be away from the pack, and especially away from you.”
“You don’t need to remind me.” The memory of Castro’s relentless pursuit made me uncomfortable. “He’s still obsessed with me now, possibly more so.”
“He’s still alive?” Liam exclaimed. His aura radiated such power, my skin tingled.
“Yes.” I swallowed hard. “I wish he wasn’t, believe me. My life would be so much different if he’d died when the rest of the pack did.”
“Damn it,” Liam cursed, his hands clenched into fists. “I’d hoped that bastard had been wiped out with the others.”
“Me, too.” I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to find some comfort. “He didn’t, though, and now… he’s more dangerous than ever.”
I told Liam what had happened since the day ‘Stone’ had tried to come between Ty and me, then all the crap Castro had pulled since, up to and including me believing he was the one who’d kidnapped me. Again, Liam had the grace to turn an endearing shade of tomato red.
“I’m sorry for adding to your worries, Liza,” he said remorsefully. “But you mustn’t underestimate the seriousness of Castro’s threats. Obsession like that… it can drive someone to do terrible things.” Liam gave a slow shake of his head. “We need to protect you from him.”
“Protect me?” I scoffed. “I don’t need your protection, Liam. Ty has been more than capable of handling Castro. We’ve been managing fine without you.” Even as I said it, I knew it was a lie. We weren’t handling Castro, but damn if I was going to let Liam put my mate down.
“Are you sure about that?” he asked, searching my face for any hint of doubt. “If he’s still as obsessed with you as he was as a kid, he’s dangerous. From what you’ve told me, he’s spent the years planning, gathering resources and allies. Do you have any idea of what he’s capable of now?”
I shook my head. “I won’t hide from him, Liam. I won’t let him control my life any longer.”
“Good.” Raw emotion emanated from him, and his expression darkened. “Now, let me help you deal with this threat once and for all. Castro knows you’re an omega, but if he learned anything about the destructive power you’re capable of, and the role a handler plays in controlling them... the last thing you need is that evil fucker having that kind of power over you. You’d have no free will. You’re hardwired to obey any order your handler gives.Anyorder,” he emphasized.
“Castro? A handler?” The thought of that twisted man controlling me, using me for his own warped purposes, made my veins ice over. My skin crawled. Just what did fate have in store for me? Was I destined to be nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s game?
“Exactly.” The fierce protectiveness in Liam’s voice both warmed and frightened me. “We can’t let that happen, Liza. I won’t stand by and watch you become a victim of his sick desires.”
