Page 24 of Liam

“I cannot help how I was raised any more than anyone else can, but I am willing to learn new things, experience change, which is more than some can say.”

Liam crossed to stand by her chair, lifting her chin with two fingers, so her gaze met his. “I’m sorry, treacle, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I know you did not, but it is dawning on me how much of the real world I have never seen. How different I am from everyone else, and I do not like it. I sometimes wish with all my heart that I was born into a normal family. That I could have gone to college to become whatever I wanted to be.”

He’d looked at her and his chest tightened painfully at the melancholy look in her dark eyes. “I think everyone goes through that at some point. Sometimes more than once. I know I was lost for a long time when Ambrose died. I didn’t know if I was in the right job, the right country, the right life.”

“How did you find your way?”

Liam took a seat beside her. “My friends stood by me. Not just Eidolon, but Zack, Zin, Nate, Skye, Celeste, Pax, and now Callie. In fact, the girls were the best. They offered me a different perspective than the guys. Showed me it was okay to grieve and to take time to find my path.”

“They seem very wise.”

“They are pains in my ass, but I love them dearly. It’s like having lots of little sisters. I’ll see if we can arrange for you to meet them while we’re here.”

It was seeing the joy on her face that he realised how deep he was getting, because he could see himself falling for this woman.

The door to the gym opened, and Alex walked in.

The Cuban saw him and headed over. “Spot me?” he asked, pointing to the bench.

“Sure.” Liam waited as Alex warmed up and had settled himself before he stood behind him. “Any word from Bás or Gunner?” Liam asked, wondering if they were any closer to having an answer on who the real threat to them was.

Alex’s jaw tightened at the question. Bás was an unknown entity, and nobody was clear on who he was or where his loyalties really lay. Liam suspected they were with himself, but at this point, they had little choice but to work with him. Alex had a particular grudge against Bás, who’d been going by another name at the time, had tortured Evelyn, his fiancée and lost love.

“Nothing so far but Lopez is tracking Gunner, who is doing everything he said he was going to.”

“Well, we do have his sister, so he has an incentive to cooperate,” Liam pointed out.

“True and we don’t know what Bás’ weak spot is, or even if that’s a name he goes by. Will hasn’t found him, and that means this fucker is so deep he probably can’t remember his own name.”

“It’s gonna be a long game.”

Alex grunted as he lifted the bar, sweat rolling down his arms. “Talking of which, what’s going on with you and the Princess?”

Liam tensed at the question, his back snapping straight. “Nothing’s going on.”

“You sure about that? Certainly looked like something to me.”

“She trusts me is all.”

“And you?”

“Fuck, Alex, what is this?” Liam bit out as Alex swung his legs around and sat up.

“Are you fucking her?”

“No, I’m not fucking her, and I object to the accusation.” Liam paced angrily, guilty that he’d wanted to fuck her and indignation that Alex thought so little of him combining.

“Just an observation.”

“As a boss or a friend?”

Alex shrugged. “Both.”

“Well as a friend, fuck you and mind your own goddamn business, and as a boss, then no, sir, I’m being a good little boy.”

Alex stood then, and glared at Liam. He was a couple of inches taller than him, but Liam was fucking furious.