We sat in silence for a few moments, our shared pain hanging heavy between us. Then an idea struck me, a small way to brighten Liza’s day and offer her some semblance of normalcy.
How about we go out for lunch? To take your mind off things. Just the two of us… and maybe some extra security,” I added.
Liza’s face broke into a radiant smile as she pushed herself into a sitting position. “That sounds wonderful.” Her mood lifted. “I really could use a break from all this… intensity.”
“Me, too.” I stood up and offered her a hand. “Let’s get ready and head out.”
While Liza got ready, I tried my best to rid myself of the creeping awareness that something big was on the horizon—a storm brewing in the distance, threatening to tear apart everything we held dear. For now, though, I was going to focuson the present, on the woman I loved, and on the promise of a brief respite from the danger that surrounded us.
I would give her this day, this small taste of happiness, no matter what it took.
With a heavy hand on the doorknob, I hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the house. Extra security enveloped us like an oppressive fog, a constant reminder of the dangers we faced after the attempted kidnapping. I scanned the perimeter, taking in the familiar faces of my security team who’d been assigned to protect Liza. Jamie and Robin, her trusted guards, now led a team of six.
“Ready?” My whole body was on high alert.
Liza nodded, giving me a small smile as she slipped her hand into mine. “Let’s go.”
The hum of the car’s engine provided a monotonous soundtrack to the mounting tension inside me as we drove toward town. As much as Liam had assured us that attaching his name with Liza’s would effectively stop the manhunt, my gut told me I had a target with a bright red bullseye painted on my back.
Liza squeezed my hand gently. “You need to relax, Ty. We’re going to be okay.”
I sighed and forced a smile. “I’m trying. It’s just... difficult to let go of the worry.”
“Could you try? For me?” Her gentle plea tugged at my heartstrings.
The moment we parked, I went on high alert, scrutinizing our surroundings. The bustling streets and chatter of people all around us did nothing to lessen my anxiety.
“Ready?” Liza smiled warmly and gave my hand another reassuring squeeze.
Taking a steadying breath, I nodded. “Let’s go.” I did my best to muster confidence.
As we walked to the diner, every detail around us—footsteps echoing on the pavement, the scent of exhaust fumes mixed with the aroma of fresh bread from the bakery, the warmth of the sun on my skin—seemed amplified. My wolf’s senses were both a blessing and a curse, and at times like these, they only served to fuel my paranoia.
“Ty, relax,” Liza said when we entered the diner.
“Sorry, I’m just...” I didn’t finish my sentence, but she nodded.
A bead of sweat rolled down my temple as we settled into our booth. I refused to let Liza out of my sight, even for a moment. My fingers tapped rhythmically against the table’s edge, betraying the anxiety that churned within me.
“Ty,” Liza said. “You’re going to wear a hole in the table if you keep tapping like that.”
I glanced at her and gave a tight smile. “Sorry. Just a little on edge.”
“Clearly.” She reached across the table and placed her hand over mine, stilling my anxious movements. Her touch was a warm balm over my frayed nerves, but it wasn’t enough to dispel the unease that simmered inside me.
“Can you blame me? After everything that’s happened, how can I not be worried?”
Liza sighed, her gaze penetrating mine as she sought to find understanding. “You’re scared. Trust me… I am, too. But we can’t let fear control our lives. We have to find a way to move forward, even if it means taking risks. And you suggested we do this to get a reprieve from all the chaos.”
Her words stung because they were true. As much as I wanted to wrap Liza in an impenetrable cocoon and keep her safe from the dangers lurking around every corner, I had to accept that wasn’t possible. Life was filled with risks, especially in our world, and I couldn’t protect Liza from them all.
Reluctantly, I forced my muscles to loosen. “I’ll try to relax, at least for now.”
“Thank you.” She patted my hand, then called over the waitress so we could order.
When our food arrived, I attempted to focus on the conversation and asked Liza about mundane things like work and her favorite hobbies. The normalcy of these topics should have provided some semblance of comfort, but I remained on high alert. My ears strained to pick up any unusual sounds, and my nose twitched at the slightest unfamiliar scent.
“Ty,” Liza hissed. “You’re not really here with me, are you? Your mind is elsewhere.”
