“End of the hall,” Connor called out, falling into a seat in the reception area.
If I’d had time to look around, I would have noticed the sleek, expensive office. It only dawned on me as I rushed down the hall, which wrapped around the building in a square path. The center was filled with offices as was the opposite side. The lights of the city blinked through the windows.
I nearly lost my way.
But a light in one of the external spaces was on. I made for it, determination filling my steps.
The frosted glass obscured the interior, but that didn’t stop me from reaching for the door. We had to hurry. My family was in danger.
I burst inside—
The breath I’d taken whooshed from my lungs. The words I’d hastily prepared died on my lips.
Grim-looking men, heavily tattooed, reeking of violence glared menacingly at me. These weren’t the pretty little Made Men who’d drunk and laughed at the restaurant. The men gathered at the table were hardened killers.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” someone with a harsh, guttural accent clipped out.
“Gabriella.”
That one word. My name. It was a calm summer’s breeze, warm and reassuring. I tore my gaze from the mean faces and gnashing teeth. Wild, stormy blue eyes focused on me. Liam’s handsome face was unreadable. But the way he held his body tight said that he was seconds away from launching to his feet.
I pulled myself up straight. “I need to talk to you.”
“Little girl, we’re in a meeting,” a suave, polished tone informed me.
The one who’d spoken first barked a laugh. “Either come and suck my dick or get the fuck out.”
Liam’s voice cracked through the room. “Get out.”
I sagged. Defeat bit into my bones. The danger of falling onto the carpet was real. I’d let myself hope….
Stupid girl. He doesn’t care enough about you.
And why should he? We were little more than acquaintances.
Still, I trusted him to at least hear me out.
“Now,” Liam snarled.
I forced my legs to move.
But then he added, “I said, this meeting’s done. My wife needs me.”
If ears could blink, mine did. I cut my gaze to his, staring in disbelief.
The dangerous men around the table seemed equally confused at being dismissed. They took the hint, however, and one by one, rose to file out of the opposite door.
Liam’s voice dropped to the barest of whispers. “Igor, if you ever speak that way to her again, it will be the last thing you do.”
The man who’d propositioned me snorted. “I’d like to see you try, little boy.”
All Liam had to do was stand up. The man mumbled something under his breath that sounded like an apology and hurried after the others.
“Come in.” Liam moved away from his seat and went to the bar cart.
I did. The door fell closed behind me, swallowing me in the tumultuous energy of the space. There wasn’t a safe place to look. I didn’t know what to do. So I stood there, gnawing on my lip as my gaze darted back and forth, one minute glancing at the skyscrapers through the window, then at the sleek, modern table, then at the pattern of the rough industrial carpet.
“Here.” Liam was suddenly in front of me.
