His jaw tightened. "That's what I need to figure out. Who else knows about this?"
"Just us so far. I was going to inform the site foreman after I roped off the area, but then you showed up. Do you think the person who did this might still be here? Watching?"
"It's possible. These fires are too calculated to be random, and the timing…" He didn't finish his sentence.
Before I processed the disturbing thought, Liam closed the distance between us in quick steps and pulled me into his arms. The move was so unexpected that I froze for a second before melting into him. His arms tightened around me.
"Fuck, I gotta keep you safe."
Raw emotion broke through his professional facade. My eyes burned with unexpected tears as I allowed myself to feel it — the fear and violation of someone targeting my project. I clutched the back of his uniform shirt, holding on like he was the only solid thing in my life.
Liam pulled back, making eye contact. "I need you to consider something. I've already saved you from one fire, so until we figure out who's behind this and if it's connected to youpersonally or the building, I want you to stay with me at my place."
I blinked, sure I'd misheard him. "Move in with you?"
"Temporarily, until we know it's safe. My house has a security system, and I'd sleep better knowing you were safe."
We'd been dating, if I could even call it that, for barely a few weeks. Moving in together temporarily would be a massive step forward in whatever this was becoming between us. Part of me wanted to reject the offer immediately and insist I could take care of myself. Yet another part of me couldn't ignore the deliberate placement of that rag. I'd seen the genuine concern in Liam's eyes when he arrived. Accepting help didn't always equate to weakness.
"What about my work? I have meetings, site inspections?—"
Liam interrupted. "We'll figure it out. You can still come here to work, just with extra precautions, and you'll have somewhere secure to lay your head at night."
I studied Liam's face, seeing the man beneath, the one who'd bought me dinner because he thought I might forget to eat, and the man who'd texted me every evening since our first date.
"Okay," I finally agreed, resting my head on his chest.
This project represented everything I'd come to Goodwin Grove to build. I tried not to think about how easily it could have gone up in flames, or about how quickly Liam had become someone I trusted enough to lean on even when my independence felt threatened. Both revelations were equally terrifying.
We'd driven straightto Gisselle's apartment so she could grab essentials for a few days. She'd been quiet since we left the construction site, the reality of the situation weighing on both of us. And now there she was, in my space because I couldn't stomach the thought of her being anywhere else.
"I'll put your stuff in the bedroom. Let me change the sheets and grab clean towels for the bathroom," I said.
Gisselle nodded. "Thank you for all of this."
"You don't have to thank me for basic human decency," I replied, taking her bags and leading the way down the hallway.
Every protective instinct I possessed was on high alert. The plan was simple: keep her safe until we caught whoever wastargeting those buildings. Except nothing about having Gisselle in my bedroom felt simple.
She paused at the door as I moved to put her bags down and strip the king-sized bed.
"I can sleep on the couch if you'd be more comfortable," I offered.
"That wasn't our deal. You said you wanted me here so you'd sleep better knowing I was safe. You can't do that from the couch."
The directness of her gaze and the certainty in her voice cut right through my bullshit. "No, I can't," I admitted.
She set her toiletry bag on the dresser, claiming her space. Suddenly, the sight of her in my bedroom hit me like a backdraft, hot and overwhelming. I closed the distance between us. Gisselle's hand came up to touch my face, tracing along my jawline as I pressed a kiss to her lips. Then again, our lips parted, making way for us to explore each other.
"Are you alright?" she asked once we broke apart.
"I should be asking you that. You're the one who found out someone tried to torch your work," I replied.
Her hand found mine. "Yet you're the one who's on edge. Talk to me, Liam."
"I'm angry someone targeted your project and put you in danger."
"We don't know if it was personal," Gisselle pointed out.
