I headed inside and beelined toward the kitchen for a glass of water. After hydrating, I handwashed the glass and set it to dry before returning to the living room. The front door opened, letting in a ribbon of frigid air.
Ness tugged on the zipper of her black puffer, bringing it up to her chin, then back down. “Just came in to apologize. What I said in the car was uncalled for.”
Yeah.It had been, but she didn’t know me. Not really. The same way I didn’t know her. We knewabouteach other. That was all. Perhaps someday, trust would spring from our mutual affection for Liam.
“Look, Ness, I know you care about our Alpha. So do I. Even though he and I aren’t togethertogether, I’d still never use some other guy to get a rise out of him. That’s not my style.”
“I didn’t think it was. And what do you mean, you aren’t together?”
“We’re just friends.” I left out thewith benefitspart.
The door bounced open, almost smacking Ness, who had the good reflex to lunge forward.
In strode Lucas, face flushed almost as brightly as his eyes. “Better have one hell of an explanation for your little show, Knickknack.”
Liam stepped in behind his Beta, each footfall deliberate, each movement measured. He unclipped Storm’s carrier methodically, then set him on the floor while he rid himself of the contraption, knuckles white from how hard he clasped the navy fabric.
Storm made little sounds of delight, but they were much too swiftly blotted out by the wall of tension going up around the room.
I crooked my finger at Lucas. “Come here and sniff my face.”
“Gotta work on your insults, because that one’s plain-ass weird.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not an insult. I need your olfactory input.”
His eyebrows drew together, but at least, he stepped closer. I gestured to my cheeks. He leaned over and took a long drag, then pivoted my face and smelled the other side.
“Ho-ly fuck,” he muttered. “That little piece of shit.”
“You smell it too, then? I’m not delusional.”
“Can one of you enlighten me?” Liam asked as Ness crouched and picked up Storm, who cooed at her.
“Come smell your girl’s face,” Lucas chirruped.
“I’m not his girl,” I mumbled as Liam pushed in between Lucas and me and tilted my head up with his fingertips, then dropped his nose to my cheek and ran it so slowly over my cheekbone that my lids drifted shut.
This isn’t foreplay. It’s a serious matter.And yet my veins swelled. If Liam didn’t back up soon, my desire for him would overpower the evidence I’d collected.
“Maybe you should tell the gatekeeper to seal off the compound?” My voice was so thick I was surprised it managed to squeeze out. “In case Grant gets suspicious. Like Lucas said, Iwasacting out of character.”
Liam’s fingers drifted away from my jawline. “Gate’s already sealed. People can come in, but no one can go out.”
“What’s going on?” Ness asked.
“The fire at the bunker was started by a Molotov cocktail.” Lucas pointed to my cheeks. “Grant’s touch reeks of all the ingredients.”
Her lids climbed high. “Do you think he shot Lori too?”
“I don’t smell sulfur, so no, but he’ll know who did.”
“Grab him, Lucas.” Liam’s teeth didn’t separate as he spoke. “Grab him and bring him here. Take Ness and August with you.”
Lucas stopped next to the door. “Weren’t Fury and Watt off to replace Sarah and the others at the safe house?”
Ness set Storm back on the rug and pulled out a few toys to keep him entertained. “Sarah said not to hurry. She’s making a killing at Texas Hold’em.”
Lucas drew open the front door, grinning. “That’s my girl.” He tapped the wood. “Ready?”
