“I will tell you what I know, Liam Donovan. One: I know you are a man of honor who would never intentionally harm my granddaughter. Two: Elexia is a grown woman and her own person. She is entitled to make her own choices, something she has been denied for too long under Brett’s shadow. Three: I know my Elexia will be far safer in your care than anywhere else.”
She leans forward, lowering her voice. “But here is whatyoumust know. If you do let any harm come to her, directly or indirectly…if your world even bleeds onto her…I will rain down such a hellfire of federal and private consequences, it will make your father’s reign seem like a tea party.”
The threat is real and potent. But I also see the love.
“A fourth thing you should know, former Agent Ryan,” I say roughly, spine locking up, muscles bulging. “If any harm comes tomyLexie…” I emphasize the possessive. “I will castrate and dismember my way through a thousand men to protect her. If the world tries to bleed on her, I will drain it dry.”
Claire holds my gaze for a long moment. Then, slowly, the corner of her mouth quirks up. “Good. Then pass the marmalade.”
I release a deep breath and pass the jar.
Just then, the double doors swing open.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Lexie breezes in, smoothing down the front of a pink dress much shorter and lower-cut than anything she’s worn. She’s definitely showing off for me, and I definitely notice.
“I couldn’t decide what to we?—”
She lifts her head, spotting the woman at the table. Her mouth falls open, her jaw dropping.
“Nana?!”
CHAPTER 17
Elexia
“Nana?!”
The word rushes out of me. I’m frozen.
She’s there, sitting at the table. The woman who knits scarves but sews a hidden blade into each one. After she mentioned she would reach out to her “connections”, I did exactly as she told me. But with everything that’s happened, my visit with her went completely out of my head.
Now, she’s sipping coffee from a bone china cup as she belongs there.
Her eyes pierce mine, assessing. She seems…mildly annoyed that I’m late.
“Don’t stand there like a codfish, Elexia.” She sets her cup down with a delicateclink. “Come give your Nana a hug.”
My feet move automatically, carrying me across the room. I wrap my arms around her, smelling the familiar scent of lavender and pipe smoke, but my body is rigid. I hug her, but the moment I pull back, I find myself drifting toward the other end.
Toward him.
I step closer to Liam and grip the back of his chair. He’s watching me with that familiar, wicked knowingness. He knows something I don’t.
Is she here to take me? Or him? Is this the end?
“Your grandmother and I were having a wee bit of conversation, so we were.” Liam is smooth and utterly unbothered. He lifts his teacup, his eyes dancing over the rim.
I dart my gaze between them, my heart hammering. “And…how was your conversation?”
Liam doesn’t answer. A cockiness carves his very features.
My grip on his chair tightens until my knuckles turn white. I don’t sit. I can’t sit. Too terrified.
“Oh, good gracious, child,” Nana huffs, picking up her fork. “Sit down before you have a stroke. I am not going to pull out my handcuffs.”
Liam sips his tea and chuckles. The sound vibrates through the chair and into my hand. “Lexie already beat you to it.”
I blink, heat flooding my face. “What about your gun?” I unintentionally squeak as I look at Nana. “Will you pull that out?”
