Page 27 of The Russian's Bought Bride

That’s what keeps me here. That, and Liam.

Not because I trust him, but because he’s the only one who’s given me anything that even resembles the truth so far. At least, what has felt like the truth.

He knows things, and even if he wasn’t entirely open about everything, he told me more than I expected him to, which was certainly better than nothing.

He said he’s working behind the scenes, and while I don’t know what that means or if it’s enough, it’s something. Right now, I can only hope it’s true.

I exhale slowly and push myself off the bed before I lose my mind, feeling the need to stretch my legs.

The bedroom feels smaller tonight, like it’s somehow quieter than usual, and the sudden change in my schedule has thrown me off.

I’m used to clocking in at the bookstore and seeing people in and out every day. When I wasn’t there, I’d get my fair share of phone calls from Dad, or I’d be with him for as long as possible. Sitting around while Liam goes out to do whatever he does, waiting for any scrap of news he might have for me, is completely out of my norm.

If what Liam said was true, and my dad really is gone, then my boss would be the only person wondering where I am, and that thought weighs down on me with immeasurable force.

Given how I have no idea where my phone is, it’s not like I could receive his texts or calls anyway.

For now, I’m stuck here in a place that isn’t mine, hanging onto the words of a man I don’t even know. The fact that he doesn’t seem like a complete monster is the one thing keeping me intact.

Annoyed and restless, I pass through the door and wander down the hall of Liam’s suspiciously nice place.

He hasn’t told me what he does for work, but given what he said about trying to track down the people responsible for the fraud trail, I imagine he’s some kind of private investigator or something. I heard they make good money.

Pushing the thought aside, I focus on the only thing I seem to be able to handle on my own these days—I need water. It’s something completely harmless and doesn’t require permission, fortunately.

So I step out into the hallway, moving through the dimly lit space as most of the lights are either low or off, with shadows stretching across the walls. I don’t even know how late it is, but I don’t expect anyone to be up.

That assumption lasts about three seconds…just long enough for me to hear voices coming from the entryway, near the kitchen.

I assume it’s just Liam at first, but then I catch a slightly different tone, and I freeze. There’s someone else here.

My pulse picks up slightly as I take a quiet step closer, stopping just before the corner where the hallway opens up into the main space.

I know I shouldn’t listen since this isn’t my house or my life, but I can’t help it with how clear their voices are now.

“…the returning shipment has been delayed,” the other voice says with a kind of measured air similar to Liam’s. This one sounds more forceful. “They were flagged at the border, and Mikhail’s not happy about it.”

I frown slightly.

Shipment? What would a private investigator need shipments for?

My fingers curl lightly against the wall as I lean just enough to catch a glimpse of two figures standing near the kitchen. Liam has his back facing the island, head dipped slightly as the other stands nearby with his arms crossed, just as tall.

“I’ll deal with Mikhail,” Liam replies. His tone is different now, like his domineering edge has been smoothed down to a more subservient one, but not any less intimidating.

“Yeah?” the other man says, unimpressed. “Because last I checked, it’s not just him you need to worry about. Several others have been asking why the border agents weren’t tipped off like they were supposed to be, and when I tried to ask you myself, you didn’t pick up.”

There’s an oppressive pause between them, then Liam mutters, “There must’ve been some kind of miscommunication, but I said I’ll handle it, and I mean to, even if I have to go there myself.”

I catch the jagged edge in Liam’s voice now, but the other man doesn’t back down.

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately,” he adds, obviously reaching his last nerve with whatever’s going on. “You’re handling things, managing this and that. Meanwhile, shipments are late, our units aren’t coordinating like they used to, and you’ve been off the grid more than usual.”

My brows furrow as I listen, struggling to understand how any of this fits into Liam’s life, or what this other man is getting at.

“I know,” Liam admits, sounding like he’s trying to save face. “I have other matters taking up my time right now.”

“Since when does that come before the family?” the other man shoots back. “Your priorities are usually where they should be, so why the change?”