In fact, I am pretty convinced that if it was any other night, and that small, angry boy was not here, he would have thrown me out as soon as I walked in.
But I push aside my feelings, determined to focus on the reason I’m here.
“Liam,” I say softly, trying to break through the wall he’s put up around himself.
Liam looks up, his expression guarded.
“What?” he replies, his voice lacking its usual warmth.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I need to say. “I have been in contact with another vampire.”
“I know that.”
Fuck!
“Okay. But do you know what she said?”
He just cocks his eyebrow in response.
“She told me that something's brewing among the vampires. There's been a rise in attacks on humans.”
“I also know that. I have been talking to the sheriff. The one thing I would actually want to know is, how many of you are in town?”
“Us?”
“Vampires, Selene. Don’t play coy with me.”
Damn!
Some foolish part of me was hoping for a very different kind of us.
I am hurt and embarrassed.
I hesitate for a moment before answering. “I know of two,” I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. “But she made it sound like there are more.”
Liam’s jaw tightens, his gaze distant. “There are,” he says quietly. “More than you realize.”
Blake?
Levi?
I swallow hard, his words sinking in. “How did you even know where I lived?” he asks suddenly, his tone accusatory.
I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that Grayson gave me his address without his consent. “Grayson,” I admit, feeling a flush of embarrassment.
Liam’s expression darkens, his jaw clenching. “I need to talk to Grayson about boundaries,” he mutters, more to himself than to me.
His coldness stings, and I can feel my anger simmering beneath the surface. “You know what? Coming here was a mistake,” I say, standing up abruptly. “I’ll leave you to whatever it is you’re dealing with.”
Disappointed, I turn to leave. I had hoped that Liam would be more open and receptive, but it seems that’s not the case.
As I reach for the door handle, I know I’ve made a mistake by coming here in the first place.
I hate the sting of tears in my eyes.
Why did I even come to live in this horrid town? I’m obviously not wanted.
Then I hear his voice. Barely above a whisper.