“You won’t,” Liam said fiercely. “But if you do, I’ll love you in all your terrible glory. No matter what incarnation you take, you’re mine. I’ll take you however you come.”
The smile I gave him was a little watery.
“In a way, your family knowing is the best thing that could happen,” Liam admitted reluctantly. “Even if they refuse to relinquish the day for the night, we have options that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
That brought a chuckle to my lips. “You’re saying it’s a good thing that I broke the rules.”
“Never.” The fierce look on Liam’s face softened. “But now that it’s happened, we can think of ways to protect you if it gets out.”
I wiped away the tears that had leaked out and reached for his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
This would be a lot harder without his support.
He tugged me into his side and pressed his lips against my hair. “There’s no place I’d rather be. We will get through this.”
The huskiness in his voice from repressed emotion brought more tears to my eyes. Unable to speak, I settled for a small nod and a “hmmm” of agreement.
Yes, we would. One way or the other.
A door opened.
Nathan paused at the sight of us. “Glad you no longer look like a corpse, A. You had us all worried.”
“Next time don’t use a body bag for transport. Maybe then no one will think the worst.”
Nathan smirked at Liam. “Told you she’d be upset about that.”
Liam gave me one last squeeze before his arms fell away. “What do you need?”
“There’s a situation that requires your attention.”
Liam acknowledged Nathan’s response with a jerk of his chin. “Got it.”
“Don’t take too long finishing up here,” Nathan advised. “Thomas is in a mood and I can’t guarantee there won’t be blood by the end of it.”
“Did Thomas really challenge Vitus?” I asked, remembering part of the conversation I’d only been half-conscious for.
“Oh yeah.” Nathan took another step into the room, chuckling. “You should have seen it. The Roman’s face was quite the sight.”
I sent Liam a confused look. “What happened to careful and methodical?”
A day ago, Thomas had been against challenging Vitus, preferring to manipulate the situation to get the outcome he wanted.
“You did,” Liam drawled wryly. “He was most displeased when we arrived to find you missing and several dead assassins in your place.”
“Ah.”
Liam’s faint smile didn’t touch his eyes. “If he hadn’t acted, I would have taken matters into my own hands.”
I got the feeling it wouldn’t have been pretty if that had happened. Can anyone say rampage?
“When is the duel?” I asked.
“Tomorrow night.”
“Not if you don’t get in there and talk sense into him.” Nathan lifted a shoulder when Liam shot him a sharp look. “He saw her condition when you brought her in. No one can make him believe that Vitus didn’t have a hand in it. I can’t really blame him. That asshole’s fall has been a long time coming.”
Seeing Liam’s indecisiveness, I gave him a nudge. “Go.” At his stubborn frown, I rolled my eyes. “We can pick this up later. Thomas takes priority right now.”
