A knock sounded, and then the door opened again. After a quick glance in my direction, Liam waved me out of the room. “If you get dizzy, let me know.”
I couldn’t suppress the sigh that escaped as I followed him down the quiet hallway. “I guess there’ll be no ravaging going on, then? Bummer.”
He tripped, barely catching himself from falling. Another reason this was definitely a hallucination. The real Liam would never trip.
He cleared his throat. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
The real Liam would also know what to say at all times. I wasn’t sure I liked what my mind had come up with.
He led me to a black limousine waiting outside the doors. Nobody stopped us or made me sign out.
Liam slid in behind me. “Do you want anything? Water? Food? Pain meds?”
I brushed my hands over the cold, but buttery soft seats. “I’m okay. Thank you.”
The car moved forward, and I decided I was done with this now. Frankly, it was boring. I would have thought after fantasizing about Liam for so long that I could have come up with something more exciting.
Time to get back to reality.
When pinching myself didn’t work, I slapped my cheek.
“What the hell are you doing?” Liam sounded angry, taking my hands in his.
“Trying to wake up. As much fun as this has been, I’m not sure I’m liking where this hallucination is going.”
Liam gaped at me, but then a grin lit up his face, followed by a rumbling laugh. All I seemed capable of when witnessing this rare event was to stare. He was even more breathtaking when he smiled. The laugh disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, but I’d never forget how he’d looked, carefree and happy and utterly gorgeous.
“You’re very much awake. And on your way to Chicago. Call Amara. She’ll tell you you’re not dreaming. Or hallucinating.”
The only movement I seemed to be capable of in that moment was to blink at him. I’d taken my clothes off in front of Liam. My brain seemed to be shortening out, repeating the words “No clothes” and “Naked” over and over again.
Oblivious to my mortification, Liam held his phone out, and I took it woodenly, dialing Amara.
“Cara? Are you there? Quinn?”
“Zia….” I trailed off, not sure what I should say. Because “Hi,ZiaAmara, I’m currently in the car with a man who’s been breaking into my apartment for the past year, and we’re on our way to Chicago” wouldn’t go down so well.
“Madonna Santa. You’re okay.”
“I think I’m on my way to Chicago.” My voice sounded as confused as I felt.
“I know. Liam explained. He’ll keep you safe. Do as he tells you. And say hi to Freya for me.”
“Are you okay? The restaurant….”
She made a tutting noise. “We’re all fine. And the restaurant can be rebuilt.”
A tear slid down my cheek. My restaurant that I’d worked so hard for was damaged if not gone.
Liam’s arm appeared in my vision, and the phone disappeared out of my hand. He murmured something into it, then hung up.
“You’ll be okay,” he whispered. “It’s just a building.” His voice was soft, his words comforting.
If only it was that easy. I couldn’t afford another security deposit. Or to replace all of my kitchen equipment. Not to mention all the chairs, tables, and stock that had been lost.
The car stopped, and I looked up at the bright lights of the airport.
Liam opened the door and climbed out, then leaned back in, holding his hand out. His body blocked out the light, giving him a halo. I snorted, since he was as far from a saint as anyone could get.
