Page 61 of Liam

One thing she did know was that this was a family of value, one that would live and die for each other and had no trouble showing the world they cared. This was what she wanted, and she needed to make sure they knew how grateful she was for them. “Thank you for being here with me.”

Jack glanced at her. “Nowhere else we would be. Liam is our brother, and that makes you family, too.”

“I love him so much. I cannot bear the thought of…” She could not finish.

Jack crouched in front of her, his elbows resting on his thighs. “We know you love him, and he loves you, too. You’ve given him something to fight for, Taamira, so you be strong for him, and we’ll be strong for you. When this is over, and Liam is being a pain in the ass again, we’ll still be doing it because he’s going to make it.”

Taamira nodded, strengthened by his words.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THE DOOR TO THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL ROOM OPENED, AND TAAMIRA LOOKED UP FROM WHERE SHE SAT beside Liam’s bed. Three days had passed since Liam had been shot and he still hadn’t woken. She still hadn’t got to see those beautiful blue eyes she loved so much. The doctor said it was not unusual after such a massive trauma to the body, but she could see in his eyes every time he did his rounds that he was growing increasingly concerned about his patient.

“Have you had any sleep at all these past few days?” Evelyn asked as she moved towards her, handing her a large cardboard cup full of coffee from the coffee shop down the road.

“I slept in the chair.”

Evelyn tutted and looked at Alex behind her. “Tell her she needs to go and get some real sleep.”

Alex grinned as he moved to Evelyn, slipping his hand around her waist, and pulling her flush to his body. “Would you leave if it was me in that bed?”

Evelyn shrugged. “Probably not.”

“There you go. If Taamira wants to be with Liam, let her.”

“Fine. But she needs to eat.”

Taamira took a sip of the coffee, the soothing, dark liquid hitting her empty belly, warming from the inside out. Evelyn was right, she needed to keep her strength up.

When Liam came home, she would want to look after him, and she needed to stay healthy for that. Her eyes pricked with fear as emotion and tiredness hit her.

Evelyn put her arm around her shoulders. “Hey, come on. He’s going to be okay. Liam is strong, he won’t leave you when he just found you.”

Taamira sniffed and pulled herself together. “I know he is. Let me just wash my face, and we will get some food.”

“Good, Mitch and Waggs are on their way in so they can sit with Liam and keep him company while we eat a quick bite.”

Taamira’s worry eased a little knowing his friends would be with him in case he woke. She did not want him to be alone. Giving her face a quick splash of water, she re-fixed her ponytail and added some lip balm before meeting Evelyn and Alex back in the room.

She looked up as Waggs and Mitch came in, and both men came and gave her hugs.

“How’s the big guy doing?”

“Holding his own according to the doctor.” She gazed down at the man she loved; he looked so pale, and yet he still filled the room, even unconscious he was not shrunken and weak. He looked strong and vital, but the cannula in his hand pumping him with fluids and antibiotics said differently.

“That’s good. Before we know it, he’ll be driving everyone crazy again as we try and figure out what the hell he’s saying with his cockney rubbish,” Waggs said and laughed, and Taamira smiled.

“We’re gonna grab some food for this one.” Evelyn jerked her thumb at Taamira. “Will you sit with him while we do?”

Mitch gave Taamira a massive grin as he put his arm around her. “Get some food. While you’re gone, I’ll whisper in Liam’s ear about how I intend to charm you away from him, and the bugger will soon wake his ass up.”

She chuckled lightly at his antics, appreciating how they were all trying to keep her spirits up.

As she went to turn left to the hospital canteen, Alex and Evelyn drew her towards the rear exit. “Where are we going?”

“Hospital food is no good for you. You need proper food. Alex found this little bistro that makes wonderful light lunches. You can get some fresh air, eat, and then be refreshed when you go back.”

Taamira turned back to the room not really wanting to leave the hospital, wanting to be close to Liam.