Nathan sobered. "Right. You're going to take point. I'll follow you. Aileen, you bring up the rear with Liam."
"Got it," I said.
Inara shot out of the room without another word.
Nathan bent a long look on me. "We've got this."
"Yes, we do."
Liam let out a war cry, causing both of us to flinch. He gave us an innocent, goofy smile.
I shook my head as Nathan eyed him carefully.
"Maybe don't do that again," Nathan suggested.
Liam swayed, his attention already wandering.
Nathan and I shared a long look.
Nathan shook his head, muttering, "This is going to be interesting."
He followed Inara as Liam and I brought up the rear.
I'd say this for Liam, he had the drunk walk down. I'd seen enough of them in my time to know a master when I saw one. The walk consisted of a loose-limbed saunter that had a tendency to wander. It was followed by wall bumps and then over corrections.
I steered Liam away from one of the night clad doors that the twins had warned me about.
He patted my hand in gratitude.
"Aileen, Aileen, the beautiful Aileen," he sang with a slight lilt. He brushed against me and smiled, reaching up and pushing back a piece of hair that had fallen forward. "All my centuries and I'd do it all again if it led me to you."
"You say the sweetest things when you're drunk," I told him.
His smile came again, happy and effervescent. "You're worth the wait. She always told me there'd be a woman I would need more than breathing."
Liam lifted one of my hands, pressing his lips to my knuckles.
Normally I would have laughed at such an over the top gesture, but when Liam did it my breath got fast and my skin flushed.
"I'm so glad she was right," he finished.
Nathan whistled from up front, holding his finger up to his lips.
"As fun as this is, we need to be quiet now," I said.
Liam's smile died, and he stared at me like a drowning man. "Kiss me and I will."
I knew him well enough to know he wasn't going to let this go. Blackmail in a dangerous situation? Check. I'd be madder if I didn't want to kiss him too.
I leaned forward.
His lips met mine, the kiss quickly turning heated.
He was the one who pulled back first. His expression one of torment and bliss. "What luck is mine that you fell into my life."
"I seem to remember you didn’t think so during our first meeting."
"I should have realized then," he murmured.
