Page 22 of Criminally Yours

“Neither.”

Liss nudged him in the ribs. “There you go, Strike. You know how to not be a dick after all.”

“He can’t help himself,” Millie teased.

Liss laughed as she tucked her arm in Millie’s and walked her toward the house. “We’re going to be great friends.” She turned and waved at Bear and Strike. “See you lads, shortly.”

Liss left her in the bathroom to freshen up, but as soon as Millie returned, Liss popped her chin on her fist and bombardedher.

“You and Strike, were you dating, or was it one of those accidental things? Was that when he went to the army? Is this the first you’ve seen him since?”

Millie stepped back until she hit a wall. She struggled to steady her breathing as she looked toward the corridor. “I, um, well…”

Liss pressed her hands together, wincing. “I’m sorry. Bear tells me off for prying, especially with Strike. I’ve known him for over a year, and he gives nothing away. Ignore my questions. How about I remember how to behave while we check out the clothes?”

Millie nodded, and Liss grabbed clothes out of bags and scattered them across the bed. “Some of these are mine. I love jeans and T-shirts,” she said, adding to the chaos of strewn clothing. “I picked up extra bits, including underwear. I’ll return anything you don’t want.”

Millie grinned as yoga pants in reds and purples flew through the air. All it needed was a nineties soundtrack and she’d be in some sort of friend’s clothes montage. “Thank you. I haven’t treated myself to anything new in a long time. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

“Don’t worry about that. This was the most fun I’ve had in ages. It’s nice having another woman around. I love the guys, but sometimes, they’re a bit much.”

Millie’s eyebrow popped as she picked up a hoodie with the royal crown logo on.

“That was a present from Strike. For a grumpy dickhead, he can be funny,” Liss said, chuckling. “Bear and Strike were my bodyguards after my life got turned upside down when I learned my grandad was the King and that someone wanted to kill me.”

Millie clasped her hands around the hoodie. “I read about it in the papers. Wasn’t it?—"

“Yeah, but we don’t talk about that. Now, I work withBodyguard Corp.” Liss sat, tapping a space on the bed beside her. “How are you coping with everything?”

Millie joined her, still clutching the hoodie. “I’m scared. I should be sitting in my sweats, reading books alone in my flat, not thrust into all of this.”

“It’s a lot to take in.”

“You sound like me when I’m counselling. What did you do before you worked with the lads?”

“I was the manager of a pub, although I spent as much time listening to people’s woes as pulling them pints.”

“Do you miss it?”

Liss adjusted the collar of her jumper, tucking her ring on the necklace under it, as she mused. “I loved my time there, but being with Bear and managing this team gives me so much. Even though I miss my friends, I’ve never been happier. The men can be pushy, and they focus on how things are in my best interests, but I always get my say. You will too.”

“You think?”

“Definitely. I suspect Strike plans to take you to a safe house while they determine what to do. The police will show up here eventually, and it’s best if you’re away, but you don’t have to go anywhere or do anything you don’t want to.”

“Thanks. I needed to hear that.” She took a breath. It was surprising she trusted this stranger. Maybe it was because Liss had no expectations of her. Millie had no idea who she was when she wasn’t trying to fulfil everyone’s expectations.

“Bodyguards and control. They can’t help themselves, which is why I have to keep teaching them otherwise,” Liss said with a conspiratorial smile. “They’re clueless.”

The familiarity and closeness were unexpected, but Liss reminded Millie of Rylee, her book friend in America. Millie fingered the hem of her top as she ventured, “That thing I shouted at Strike earlier?”

“Yeah?”

She shot her a glance. “If I tell you, do you promise not to share it with anyone? I don’t know if it’s being close to him, or the adrenaline, or that my life has spiralled in twenty-four hours, but if I’m going to be around him for another day, I’ll lose my shit and do something stupid.”

Liss gently touched Millie’s arm. “Tell me anything. I won’t tell anyone, including Bear.”

She closed her eyes and breathed slowly, her chest rising and falling. She’d only shared this with Rylee, and without her phone, she was alone.