"Haven't seen you around much." Nor had she attempted to either. Sera didn't say a word as Michelle causally brushed back a strand of hair. "You two make a cute couple," she purred.
"Don't they?" Kathleen inquired sweetly.
Michelle's eyes flashed to her as a cruel smile twisted her face. "You're a fool if you think that he really likes you."
Sera's hand clenched on her cup. "I don't think it's any of your business Michelle."
"You're just pissed because he turned you down!" Kathleen retorted.
Michelle lifted her head haughtily as she tossed back her hair. "I wouldn't waste my time on someone like him."
"Oh really Michelle?" They all turned as Liam stepped beside Sera, his arm wrapped around her waist as he drew her against his side.
Michelle's eyes flashed angrily as she took Liam in. Kathleen snickered, but hid her smile behind her hand. Danielle was frowning as she stood nearby them. Liam's arm was like a steel trap around her waist. There was an odd sense of power radiating from him that frightened even her. Sera's heart skipped a beat as his eyes landed upon her. His face was pitiless, but there was a warmth in his gaze that she knew was only for her.
"Hello Liam," Michelle said calmly.
"Were you talking about me?" he inquired as he lifted his head to look at her.
Michelle raised her chin and stared back at him defiantly. "Yes."
He smiled at her, but there was no warmth in the gesture, or in his features. "Good, because I wouldn't waste my time on you either. So now that we're in agreement, don't you have somewhere else to be?"
His voice was filled with an icy bitterness that made the hair on Sera's arms stand up. "Yeah, I do," Michelle replied coldly.
"I would suggest going there."
Michelle glared at the two of them as she stormed past. Sera sighed as some of the tension eased from her body. Liam's arm around her waist loosened marginally but he didn't release her.
"Want to dance?" he inquired.
She glanced back at the crowded floor. She hated the idea of pushing her way onto it, but the thought of being wrapped in Liam's arms was too tempting to refuse. "Yeah," she replied.
He led her out to the dance floor, easily cutting through the thick crowd. A small smile curved her mouth as she rested her head against his solid chest and wrapped her arms around his strong body. His arms around her were warm, comforting, and completely sheltering. She felt perfectly safe, and completely at home, as she moved in time with him.
***
Liam moved swiftly through the thick crowd, searching for Mike, Jack, or Doug. "Hey."
He turned as Jack caught hold of his arm. "Hey."
"Come on."
Jack led the way to the back stairway and up the stairs. Liam followed behind; his thoughts were jumbled as they made it to the second floor and continued on to the third. Mike and Doug were standing outside Mike's room, their arms crossed over their chests as they talked quietly. This far up the music was only a distant, thumping melody. Shouts and laughter wafted up from below, but the words were indiscernible.
Mike and Doug straightened away from the wall as he and Jack approached. An uneasy feeling began to fill him as he studied the intense looks on their faces. "We have to talk," Mike said briskly.
Liam knew what they planned to talk about; he just didn't care to hear it. "I don't have the time right now," he replied.
Mike eyed him. "Then you're going to make the time."
Liam folded his arms over his chest. "What is it Mike?"
Mike looked at both Jack and Doug, but it was obvious that they were perfectly content to let Mike do the talking. "Come on."
Mike strode across the hall and thrust Liam's door open. He waited for all of them to enter before closing it again. Liam silently stood by the door as he eyed the three of them. "It's Sera," Mike said bluntly.
He had already known that it was, but he still didn't want to deal with it. "What about her?" he asked coldly.
