Page 19 of Guardian
No, I didn’t think he’d name names.I’d also be negligent if I didn’t ask.
If I shoot Brennan Doyle now, I won’t be alive to find out.His security guard would shoot me in the next second.I’d be dead before I hit the ground.
If I’m dead, I can’t protect Ravi from whoever else is looking to make money on his sale.And protecting him is what I need to do.
That’s the mission.
Chapter Seven
Ravi
When I crawl backthrough the window at Liam’s place, it’s nearing three in the morning.After the party ended, I had to get Adam and Troy to take me to their place so I could pick up my car and my stuff.
My body’s buzzing from the party, but what I really need is a solid few hours of rest.
How tired I am is probably why I miss it until it’s too late—that the lamp I left on by my bed is off now.
I’m halfway through the window before something prickles at the back of my skull.I pause, straining my eyes and ears, but I can’t figure out what I’m sensing.
A moment later I hear Liam’s voice.
“Good of you to finally come home.”
Shit.Shitshitshitshitshit.
“What are you—” I topple the rest of the way through the window.Shaking my head, I pick myself up and straighten my glasses before flipping on the lamp.I should have realized he’d check up on me at some point.
In hindsight, maybe I should’ve crashed at Adam and Troy’s place.
“What are you doing in here?”It’s Liam himself who taught me that a good offense is the best defense.
“I think the better question is what were you doing out there?”
“Sorry, I must have missed the part where I was grounded.Oh, wait, you can’t ground me because I’m an adult.”
He stands from where he’s been sitting on my bed, tossing Mr.Bear onto my desk.
“Are you really?”he asks as he stalks forward.“An adult wouldn’t be so stupid as to put their ass on display for a bunch of drunk old men.An adult wouldn’t parade around in booty shorts like a cheap fuck toy.”
Fuming, I glance down at the shorts, which I’m still wearing.I am not cheap.I bought these custom from a dancer on Etsy.I like to support small businesses.
Liam stops right in front of me, using his finger to tip my chin up to meet his gaze.“An adult wouldn’t do something as stupid and dangerous as serving up his virginity to a pack of wealthy jackals for the highest goddamn bidder.”
Every syllable is quiet and controlled.The quieter Liam gets, the more enraged he is.And also?
“How did you know where I was?”I glance at my phone, which is still sitting where I left it on the bed.Understanding dawns.“I figured you were tracking me.I guess it wasn’t with my phone.”
He doesn’t answer.I shouldn’t be surprised.What he does do is walk over to my bedroom window.
He brushes past me, his aftershave assaulting my nostrils when he’s so close.The heat of his body, the quick brush of his pecs against my shoulder… Maybe if Dean hadn’t gotten me so horned-up at the party, I wouldn’t be so sensitive.But right now I’m kind of on the verge, you know?
The click of a lock makes me jump.“Wait.What the hell are you doing?”
When I turn around, he’s securing a padlock that definitely wasn’t there before.I’m suddenly freezing cold.The urge hits me to shove him, to try and wrench open the window, but it’s too late.It’s already locked.
“Installed it while you were out.I had plenty of time while you were shaking your ass for old men with Benjamins.”
My chest is tight.Too tight.“Liam, you can’t do this.I came to stay here because you said you wanted to keep an eye on me after being in the hospital.Why did I think it meant you actually gave a shit?”
