She startled at the dismissive tone in my voice. Her replacement couldn’t arrive soon enough.
Once I was alone again, I pulled out my laptop. I’d been obsessively checking the cameras I had installed around her building, but there had been no movement. I also had a guy sitting in front of her apartment block, but he hadn’t set eyes on her yet either.
But unless I saw for myself that she was okay, I’d go crazy with playing worst case scenarios in my head. I stared at the screen for nearly twenty minutes before finally opening my emails. I had work to do if I wanted Quinn to agree to come back with me.
Because shewouldcome back with me. But I’d prefer her to do it because she wanted to, not because she was tied up and didn’t have a choice.
11
QUINN
The swishof clothes startled me awake. The chair in the corner creaked. I tensed, ready to jump out of bed and make a run for it. Had I been foolish to leave the safety of the Olysses mansion behind?
My phone was in the kitchen. Or maybe the bathroom. But since my apartment was small, my chances of making it outside were good. And Gunner had cameras out there. He’d send help. I just had to make it there.
Then the familiar scent of toasted almond and coffee surrounded me, and all my limbs relaxed.
Once I had control of my body back, I sat up. No more pretending I didn’t know he was there. These visits had to stop. And I had to talk to Gunner about his supposedly unbreachable security system. “What are you doing here?” My voice was scratchy, my patience nearly used up.
What the hell is he thinking showing up like this?
The dark figure sitting in the chair straightened. “You’re awake.”
I couldn’t figure out if he sounded pleased or surprised.
“You know, normal people would have knocked on my door.”
“I’m not normal.”
I snorted, praying for patience. “Why are you here?” Maybe if I rephrased my question he’d finally respond.
“You left without telling me.”
He always kept his emotions carefully hidden, but tonight his voice was tinged with anger.
“I didn’t realize you were my keeper.”
He leaned forward. “Now you know.” He tapped his leg, a nervous tic I’d never seen on him before. “Let’s go. Someone will pack your things for you.” His leg stilled, but I didn’t think that was a good sign. “Or you can purchase new things once we get back to Chicago. Your choice.”
I gaped at him, wondering if he’d smoked some of Jude’s weed. “No.” I was proud of myself for sounding assertive. “There’s no need to pack, since I’m staying here.”
My voice only wavered at the end, but there was nobody who wouldn’t quiver when faced with Liam’s anger.
He stood up, his long strides bringing him to the edge of my bed in a few steps. Leaning down, he rested his hands on either side of my body, caging me in. “No?”
Thrusting my chin up, I held his stare. “I’m not going with you. I have to get the restaurant back up and running. I can’t do that from Chicago.”
The vein in his neck throbbed, and I fisted my hands to stop them from reaching out. He leaned closer, bringing us almost nose to nose. “ButIhave to go back to Chicago.”
All it would take was a slight movement to bring our mouths together. Something I’d dreamed of doing again since he’d left me in the bathroom. But also something I’d been reprimanding myself about since then. Thankfully, reason won out this time, and I didn’t move. “That’s fine. You may go. But I’m staying here.”
His gaze was riveted to my mouth, his eyes glowing in the low light of the streetlamps outside.
I usually couldn’t sleep if there was any light in the room, but when I arrived home, I’d been too tired to do more than drop my bags next to the door and fall into bed. Plotting my secret getaway had been exhausting.
His lids fluttered closed, and a ragged exhale escaped him before his hungry gaze met mine. “You think you can defy me?”
Swallowing hard, my resolve wavered. “This isn’t about defiance. It’s about saving what’s left of my restaurant.”
