Page 25 of Liam

“You’ve never wanted me as a boss,” Alex snapped.

Liam stayed silent for a second because it was the truth, but not because he had anything against Alex. He was a great operator, fantastic guy, and good leader. The calm to Jack’s storm. The fact was, Liam resented that he had taken Ambrose’s place and that would have been the same for anyone. It made no sense, it was unfair, but it was what it was.

Liam was angry now though and let rip when he should have bit his tongue. “You’re right, I don’t want you as a boss. You’re not half the man Ambrose was or half the leader,” Liam bellowed.

“Glad we understand each other, brother,” Alex snapped and walked towards the door before he turned back. “Just remember this, you’re not the only person who lost a friend when Ambrose died. We all miss him, but some of us don’t go around blaming the fucking world and burying ourselves in pity. Some of us have been through similar pain you have and come out the other side, learned to embrace what we do have, not what we lost.”

With that, Alex walked out leaving Liam with a bucket load of guilt and regret. But, also with a realisation that perhaps he had wronged Alex and maybe his other friends.

His phone buzzed, and Blake’s name lit up the screen. Liam sighed, wanting a few minutes to get his shit together before the next drama hit, he rubbed his eyes, tired to his bones the last few days. Instead, he answered. “Yeah.”

“We have a situation.”

“What now?”

“Taamira got a call, freaked out, locked herself in her room, and won’t talk to us.”

Liam was walking to the door as Blake spoke, urgency in his step. “What number did it come in on?”

“Her personal mobile.”

“Do we know who from?” Liam slid into his truck, still in his gym gear as he questioned Blake.

“No, she won’t give us the phone to check. All I know is she was trying to make tea in the kitchen when the call came. She took it before we could stop her and went very pale before she ran to her room and locked the door.”

“Don’t fucking leave her alone. Lock my doors and secure the grounds. If anyone traced the call, they may locate where she is.”

Liam hung up and pressed his foot to the accelerator, taking the corners faster than he should. He slammed his hand on the horn when a tractor tried to pull out and overtook him to the sound of horns blaring.

He should’ve checked to see if she’d had a mobile. He hadn’t, and that was on him, but by God, he wouldn’t make any more mistakes.

He swerved into his drive five minutes later and was out of the vehicle before he’d completely stopped. He marched to his door, ignoring Digby, and was met by Blake and Decker.

“She in her room?” Decker nodded, and the two men went to follow, so he took a moment to stop and turn back to them. “I want a bug put on Prince Abdul’s phone. I don’t care how we do it, but I want it done.”

“On it,” Blake said, lifting his phone, no doubt to call Will. Lopez was good, very good, but Will, Jack’s brother, was a fucking genius with technology.

“Deck, can you run me a profile? I want to know what type of person would go after the Princess in this way. Who the threats may be. My mark is the brother, but in case I’m missing something, can you put one together for me?”

“Yes, I can do that, but it’ll be basic until we know more. Finding out who that was, or at least what they said, would give us more information.”

“Will do.”

Liam stopped at her door and took a deep breath to calm himself. He was desperate to see she was okay, but he needed to remain the calm one and not let her see he was freaking out. “Treacle, it’s me. Open up the door.” He knocked loudly and waited what seemed endless minutes for her to answer.

When she opened the door, and he saw the beautiful tearstained face and the look of despair in her eyes, he did the only thing he could. He leaned in and took her in his arms and held her tight.

CHAPTER TWELVE

TAAMIRA HAD NOT MEANT TO FALL APART, SHE HAD TRIED HER HARDEST TO KEEP IT TOGETHER BUT THE words the caller had said opened up memories of the threats she had received and her fear for those she loved. It had been silly to run from Blake and Decker, but she couldn’t seem to articulate what the person on the phone had said. When Liam knocked on the door, the sound of his voice had released a tsunami, and she’d fallen into his embrace.

He’d held her so tight, the scent of sweat, the heat of his body, as well as the muscled arms that always seemed to keep her safe had become a haven for her. It was the gentle look he’d settled on her, the soft words, and the way he had stroked her hair and not rushed her to tell him what had happened, that had her calm enough to speak.

“Let’s sit.” He led her to the large double bed and sat her down, before taking a seat next to her, not letting go of her hands. “Tell me what happened.”

His body seemed relaxed, but over the months she had come to know this man better than she realised and his voice gave away his anger.

“Are you angry with me?”