“Goodnight, Addy,” he murmured, stroking her temple.
“Goodnight, Liam.”
He waited until she fell asleep before rising and turning off the light. She didn’t appear to notice it, but he wanted her to sleep comfortably. Returning to his side, Liam struggled to close his eyes. His body stayed on high alert as he listened to Addy’s breathing. The woman he dreamed about every night while he lay in the hospital bed now lay beside him. Her floral scent tickled his nose, making it hard for him to keep from wrapping her in his arms. Addyson Parker stole his heart the first time he saw her.
Recalling her reference to the room down the hall, he wondered if Sam’s widow seemed stuck in her grief for the man. Liam rubbed his chest as if his heart didn’t like the idea. After all, when danger knocked, she called Liam instead of the police. Then again, it didn’t seem like Addy made friends with anyone from Serenity.
CHAPTER 11
Addy stretchedand then hissed when the stitches pulled on her arm. She rose, searching for Liam. It felt odd waking up without Zeus. Reaching for her phone, she dialed the number Kassie gave her last night.
“Hello,” Jake greeted.
“Hi. It’s Addyson Parker. I’m calling to check on Zeus. I’m sorry, I didn’t even check the time,” she said, glancing down at the screen. It showed 0630. Addyson groaned. “I’ve woken you after you spent the evening caring for my baby.”
Jake chuckled. “Carol and I rise early. I sent Taco to grab some of Zeus’ food last night while the police were still at your house. He’s eaten his breakfast, and I started him on an antibiotic. The belly cut appeared a bit inflamed. I’m keeping him calm to avoid him tearing his stitches.”
“Can I bring him home?”
“Give it another day, and we’ll see how he progresses. He’s sleeping comfortably,” Jake informed her.
Despite the night’s events, she slept better than she anticipated, too. Liam made her feel safe. Shaking away her thoughts, she returned to her conversation.
“May I please visit him? I still have a mess here, but I want to check on him before I get started,” she explained.
“Addyson, you’re welcome here anytime,” Jake told her. “Carol will be spending the day with Catherine. Zeus and I will keep each other company.”
“Thank you. I’ll get dressed and be down in a bit,” she said excitedly.
“We’ll see you when you get here,” Jake said before disconnecting the call.
Addyson entered her bathroom, showered, and dressed, hoping to feel better about her living arrangements downstairs.
She slowly took the stairs, noticing veterans taking garbage bags to their trucks. Increasing her pace, she gazed down at the former trashed living room to find it bare, except for the coffee and end tables.
She went into the kitchen where Liam shoveled broken glass from the floor.
“Good morning,” she said, bewildered by all the activity.
Liam glanced up and smiled. “How do you feel today? The crew rises early and we thought to get a head start.”
“How did I sleep through the noise?” she exclaimed. “I’d say you have more than half of the mess cleaned.”
“Your body needed the extra recovery time after last night. Why don’t you visit Zeus while we finish here? I don’t want you stepping on glass.”
“I can’t leave you to clean my house,” she argued, grabbing the broom.
Liam walked toward her. His gaze seemed intense as he stared at her, making her feel heat low in her belly. He drew closer, making Addyson tilt her head to see his face.
“We’re almost done. Go see Zeus. It’ll make you feel better. I put everything I discovered unbroken in a box for you later,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Oh, what about you? We’re supposed to take you truck shopping,” she said, suddenly recalling her promise.
“It can wait.” Liam took her hand and led her to the garage. “I want to check on Ragu. Leo called with an update last night. Surprisingly, the bullet didn’t do much damage. He’ll have to recover for six to eight weeks, depending on healing and therapy.”
“Oh, that’s great news. Can I come with you?” she asked.
“Sure, I’ll wait until you return,” he said, obviously pleased she wanted to check on one of his teammates.
