A round of goodbye hugs ensued before his teammates’ wives began walking out the door. Liam reset the alarm and turned back to Allison, who was waiting patiently a few feet from where he stood.
“So your meeting really went okay?”
“It did.” He dipped his chin. “How about you? Looked like you all got along well.”
“Your friends are really sweet.” Allison smiled. “And funny.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty great.”
“Sounds like your teammates are pretty awesome, too. Not that I’m surprised.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because of you.”
“Me?”
Allison nodded. “I can’t see you being a part of something that is anything but good.”
Damn. He was really,reallystarting to like this woman. As in like, like. As in?—
Nope. Don’t you dare think it. It would be certifiably insane to evenimaginethat word so soon.
So instead, Liam blurted out, “You hungry?” Because apparently, that was his new go-to answer when he didn’t know what else to say.
“I could eat.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
He nearly choked on the urge to pull her into his arms and taste those luscious lips again. Clearing his throat, Liam pretended there wasn’t a raging hard-on forming beneath his zipper as he muttered something about whipping them up some lunch as he passed by on his way to the kitchen.
They’d eat, and then he’d lock himself away in his office to do some work. Between the strike-out while trying to find a tracker on the girls, the useless security camera footage from the hotel, and no leads as to where in Chicago Gallo’s men could be, Liam was beginning to question his ability to keep Allison and Maddie safe.
I can’t let anything happen to them. Not now. Not ever.
CHAPTER 13
Allison wokewith a gasp and a scream for help that was caught in the base of her throat. Her chest heaved with breaths so hard and heavy, it was as if she’d been in a fight for her life.
The truth was, she had been. Only this one had occurred in the sanctity of her dreams. A nightmare created by a collection of memories. Ones that were, unfortunately, very real.
She turned to her left, relieved to find Maddie fast asleep. She looked so sweet and peaceful, she could’ve passed for an angel.
To Allison, that was exactly what her precious baby was. A gift from God she was trying so hard to protect. But she’d also failed her over and over again.
Tears burned the corners of her eyes, but she refused to have Maddie wake up to see her crying. Moving slowly and as quietly as she could, Allison slid out from under the covers and got out of bed.
According to the clock on Liam’s bedside table, it was well-into the middle of the night. She tiptoed across the room, keeping her footfalls as light and silent as possible. The door let out the slightest of creaks as she squeezed her way out into the hall.
The narrow space was dark from the night, but the moonlight shining through the home’s front windows was enough to light the way. Her heartbeat felt heavy as she nervously began to move. Her eyes bounced between the pathway ahead and Liam’s spare room door on her right.
Allison passed by the extra room quickly, relieved when she didn’t hear movement coming from inside. On her way to the kitchen, she mulled over the impromptu plan. She’d get a glass of water, take a few moments to regroup, and then she’d crawl back into bed with none being the wiser.
She stepped over the threshold into the kitchen. Went to the cabinet where Liam kept his glasses. Allison opened the white, wooden door and reached for the nearest one. Her fingertips had barely made contact when a deep voice sounded from somewhere close behind.
“Need some help?”
Allison yelped as she spun around to face him. Her fingers curled around the sink’s porcelain edge with a grip so tight it was painful.
“Liam?” She blew out a breath when she saw him.
