“She doesn’t need help. I know how to fix her,” I told him. I wasn’t accepting anything else from Thomas. Not after the stunt he’d pulled with Deborah. He was the enemy pure and simple.
His expression grew confused as he looked between Liam and me.“Is there something I don’t know?”
I didn’t answer, holding my stony silence. The less he knew about anything, the better.
Liam put down his papers and sighed.“She thinks Niamh or one of her people might have something to do with her niece’s condition.”
Thomas’s face turned alert.“Is that a real possibility?”
“Yes.”
“Unlikely,” Liam said at the same time, giving me a warning look.“And we’re not going to make any accusations unless we’re sure.”
I lifted my chin but didn’t answer.
“Aileen, I need you to promise. These aren’t the type of beings you take on at a whim,” he said, his voice serious.
I jerked a shoulder up.“I’ll be smart.”
I had to be.
Thomas made a small sound of amusement. He looked like a cat infinitely entertained by the two fools performing for him. He glanced at Liam.“She’s your responsibility tonight. Make sure she doesn’t get herself killed.”
Liam grunted as Thomas straightened and glided out of the room, leaving the two of us alone.
I fidgeted, finally giving in to the urge to move as I explored the room. These types of conversations weren’t my forte. Throw in the fact that I had intimate knowledge of his body now and couldn’t help but remember a few of the things we’d done not that long ago, and it was a recipe for awkwardness.
Liam watched me, his gaze enigmatic as he leaned against the side of the table, arms folded across his chest. The flexed muscles reminded me unnervingly of how strong he’d been earlier. How effortlessly he’d held himself up.
I blinked and shook my head. None of that now. I needed to concentrate.
“Makoto tells me you’ve been making announcements. Something about howI’m yours,” I said, my voice eerily calm.
Liam’s smile flashed; he knew what he’d done and was amused by it. Great.
“I simply relayed the facts as I saw them,” he said.
He waited expectantly. I didn’t fail to disappoint.
“Is there a reason you felt the need to share our personal business?” I asked tightly.
He lifted a shoulder, the picture of unconcerned relaxation.“I felt it best to head off any misunderstandings now.”
“Misunderstandings?”
He nodded.“I’ve found clear communication is always best.”
“Clear communication.” Great. Now I sounded like a damn parrot. I took a deep breath, trying for patience.
“Were you aware this isn’t the middle ages?”
Liam cocked his head.“It’s not?” Fake surprise was in his voice.
I narrowed my eyes at him as his lips tilted up in a wicked smile. He thought he was winning this little battle.
“No. And in this time period, people aren’t owned,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Are you sure? BecauseI’m pretty sure you’re mine,” he said, purposely missing the point.
