“Knox is solid.” There wasn’t even a sliver of doubt in Jagger’s tone. “I’ve known him since my Air Force days. He was Army, but I worked with his unit on a joint op once. We hit it off and have done our best to stay in contact ever since.”
Liam paused, processing what Jagger had shared. After a beat, he gave in and went along with his teammate’s plan.
“Okay, give this friend of yours a call. See if he’s got time for a video chat within the next day or two. I want to see if he knows why Allison’s husband is so damned untouchable. I’d also like to get more information on the lady who runs the shelter there where Allison and her little girl stayed before she split town.”
“Copy that,” Jagger agreed. “I give him a holler and let you know what he says. In the meantime, you should probably start thinking about finding someplace else for your girl and her kid to stay. If her dickhead husband did send his goons after her, then they probably already know where she is.”
“One, Allison’s not my girl, she’s a client. And two, I’m already on it.” Or he would be as soon as they were done talking.
“I’ll let you know what Knox says.”
“Thanks, Jag. Appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
Liam tapped the X on the screen and ended the call. With his focus back on his computer screens, he opened a new window began looking at hotels. He’d already vetted all the major spots in the city as far as their security measures, which made his search for two adjoining rooms that much less of a hassle.
A few more clicks of the keys and a credit card number was all it took to secure a room for himself and one for Allison and Maddie. As of now, the reservation was for the next few days. He’d make adjustments to that as needed—if and when the time came.
As far as Liam was concerned, this was the last night his client or her daughter would ever spend in one of those shelters.They were an unfortunate necessity, and Namoi’s place was one of the best he’d seen, but still.
Allison and Maddie deserved a home. Arealhome. One where they could be happy and free. But until he could make that happen, Liam was going to do everything in his power to keep them both safe.
CHAPTER 4
“Finish your breakfast, baby girl.”Allison’s attention remained divided between the little girl sitting next to her and the small, round clock on the wall. “Mommy’s friend will be here soon to pick us up.”
Liam had called two hours before letting her know he was moving them to a downtown hotel for safe keeping. Allison wasn’t fully convinced it was the right decision, but shewasthe one who went to his security firm for help. And since he was the expert on keeping her alive, she’d ultimately agreed with the plan.
“Does the hotel have a pool?”
“I’m not sure.” She shrugged. “Maybe.”
As children often did, Maddie took “maybe” to actually mean “yes”, which caused her sweet little face to light up with excitement.
“Can we go swimming today?Please?” She began talking a mile a minute. “But we’ll have to buy me a new swimsuit. Do you have one? If not, we can buy one for you, too. I want a pink one. What color do you want, Mommy?”
“Yes, Mommy.” A woman’s teasing voice sounded from nearby. “What color doyouwant?”
Allison turned to see Naomi—the shelter’s owner—lowering herself into the empty chair to her right. The spunky eyed the two suitcases and overstuffed backpack situated on the floor next to the table. redhead flashed a toothy grin her way.
“Looks like you two are all packed up and ready to go.”
“We are.” She tapped the edge of Maddie’s plate as a reminder to finish her meal. “And thanks again, Naomi. For everything.”
“No thanks needed, hun.” The other woman reached out and covered one of Allison’s hands with hers. “It’s why I’m here. And why this place exists. I just hope the Delta guys can put an end to all this madness with your ex.”
“Soon-to-be-ex,” she corrected. “But yeah. I hope so, too. For both our sakes.”
Naomi’s stunning green eyes softened as she slid her focus to Maddie. The little munchkin had just shoved the last bite of pancake into her mouth, leaving a string of thick syrup dripping from her rosy lips down onto her plate.
“Wow, Maddie.” The other woman exclaimed. That was a big bite for such a little girl.”
Maddie’s next words were distorted by the unchewed food still filling her rounded cheeks. “I have to hurry. Mommy’s friend is coming to take us swimming.”
“I saidmaybe,” she reminded her overzealous daughter.
“Which may as well be a solid ‘yes’ at that age,” Naomi shared Allison’s same thought.
