Ryker crowds in closer. “Jesus, Freddie, just tell us, yes or no.”
I don’t.
I don’t tell them anything.
Ryker makes a sound of exasperation as he runs a hand through his hair, but Liam glares his cold glare, and I reply with a slow, bored blink.
Fuck them.
Liam snarls, flashing his white teeth, but he releases my face and retreats a step. He takes a long look at me from head to toe, and I feel the scorch to my skin like he’s stripping me naked right there in the alley.
“I’m not letting you leave until you tell us,” Liam says.
I hold my wrists out to him. “Why don’t you arrest me?”
“You keep acting like this and I might.”
“You’re off duty,” I say.
If Liam was working, his car would be parked outside the bar. He’s unzipped his stab vest too, which is a clear sign he’s off the clock. His fingers twitch, though, like he’s contemplating grabbing the cuffs attached to his belt.
I’ve cracked his cool composure, and it feels good.
“Look,” Ryker says, getting between us. “We’re just worried about you.”
Inside the bar, I’d punched before I realised I was about to, but outside it now, I know I’m going to swing for Ryker. Unfortunately, so does Liam, who doesn’t manage to pull Ryker completely clear, but does a good enough job that I graze Ryker’s chin with my fist.
Liam pushes Ryker aside, which is the reason Ryker falls to the floor, not my punch, and then I’m swinging my fist again, not from anger, but from fear. I’m faced with flight or fight, and my options narrow down to one.
I need tofightto take flight.
But Liam is trained to subdue suspects, and he knocks my fists aside and grabs me. We struggle. The streetlights spin, then he’s behind me. He’s yanking my arms back as we crash into the wall. He doesn’t unlock my arms. His hands curl around my elbows, and he applies force that I try to resist, but he’s stronger than I am.
He holds me back, and although he doesn’t tell me to calm down, I know that’s what he’s waiting for.
Ryker groans as he gets to his feet. He brushes dirt off his knees, then touches his chin.
“I’m beginning to take this personally . . .”
I thrash, but Liam holds me until my knees weaken. I’m panting, but Liam is silent behind me. Only the restraint of his arms and the rustle of his clothing when I try to evade him lets me know he’s there.
That’s when I feel it.
I feelhim.
I suck in a breath and hold it.
Liam knows I can feel him.
His tongue clicks against the roof of his mouth.
He says on a sigh, “Stop trying to get away and it’ll go down.”
The words set me off like a buckaroo. He’s hard. His goddamn dick is pressed against my back. Ryker raises an eyebrow at his brother, smirking as he rubs his chin. “Really?”
I lash out with my foot, missing Ryker by an inch.
“Woah,” Ryker laughs. “Liam, stop enjoying yourself and hold him still.”
