Page 57 of Under His Control

“I put the devices in the compound,” he said as he lifted his shirt. A deep wince marred his face, though, and I reached closer to help him. Together, we peeled off his clothes and I did my best not to grimace at the signs of injuries on him.

“But on my way out, they realized I was a spy.”

“Fuck,” I mumbled.

I lowered to help get his jeans off, his boxers too. Even though this man would always turn me on, it wasn’t the time for anything sensual or sexy. He leaned on me, setting his hands on my shoulders to balance himself as he stepped out of his boots. Once he was upright, inspecting the gash on his bicep, I started the shower for him.

“They ambushed me at the bike,” he said as he stepped into the shower. “I killed the one who shot at me. But it wasn’t good odds.”

I frowned as I gathered his clothes into a bundle to dispose of later. “How many?”

“Four in the end.” He groaned slightly under the water, and I shushed him, hearing Olivia in the other room.

After I checked on her and helped her keep her pacifier in her mouth, I returned to him just as he stepped out of the shower. “Let me help you with that,” I said.

He sighed, too tired to put up a fight, and wrapped the towel around his waist. I guided him to sit on the vanity, and once he was in place, I compressed the graze on his arm and bandaged it. All the while, he was quiet and still. I felt the heat of his stare on me, but it wasn’t a smoldering expression of desire. Just one of appreciation. Gratitude. Maybe something a lot like love.

“Stay with me.” He took my free hand and held it. “Stay with me tonight.”

I smiled slyly, hoping I could lighten the moment a bit. “I know you said that you wanted me to wait up for you, but I think you need sleep more than sex.”

He winced as he stood. “I think you’re right.” He tugged off my shirt and kissed me softly. “But I mean you to stay. To sleep with me.”

His sincere tone wasn’t a ploy. He wasn’t trying to get in my pants. All he wanted was for me to sleep over instead of sneaking back to my wing in the house like I typically did.

I shivered with the lack of warmth from the long-sleeved shirt he removed. As he tugged at my shorts, I followed suit and lowered them. In a cami and panties, I walked with him to the bed and watched him climb in.

Before I joined him, I checked once more on Olivia. She was sound asleep, content, but I was glad to stay the night. If she woke and needed help, it’d be my honor to let Liam rest and not have to tend to her for once.

“Come here.” He held his arm up, welcoming me in to be spooned by his hard, hot body.

Nestled together, we sighed in unison. I smiled in the darkness, closing my eyes to savor his body flush to mine. Aftera gentle kiss on the top of my head, he yawned. “Thank you for watching her tonight.”

“Thank you for letting me.” I turned slightly to kiss his cheek. “Rest, Liam. I’ll be right here for whatever you need.”

I turned back to my side as he hugged me close, and I loved how I could tell him that and know he’d understand that I meant it in every way. Not just as a girlfriend or lover to satisfy him sexually, but as a partner in all life had to offer.

21

LIAM

The minute I came to my room and saw Eva, I relaxed. After a glance at the crib to show me that Olivia was safe and sound, sleeping away, I could finally exhale the breath I’d been holding all night.

They were protected here. Unlike those girls at the Devil’s Brothers’ compound.

All the aches and pains faded. The agony spreading over my skin from where the bullet grazed me no longer stung as badly.

One glimpse of my future—Eva and Olivia—and I was grounded again.

I fought for them. I was determined to succeed because of them. When those bikers ganged up on me, when I realized things were getting dicey, they were my motivation to punch, kick, and deflect faster and better. And I had.

Thank fuck.I’d never been happier to be back from a mission, and it was a pivotal moment of knowing that I had my reason. Enlisting in and staying in the army was a generalized act of servitude. Here, as a Constella spy and soldier, I had my reason right here in front of me.

Eva didn’t get emotional about my wounds and injuries. With a calm manner, she tended to me exactly how I needed.Words weren’t necessary. She got it. She saw what I’d endured and no questions would be asked. It was easy to accept her help, and as I fell asleep, I drifted with the fact that I could trust her. That she would always listen to my report and sympathize. That she would always know that shit could turn south and that she’d step up to the challenge and nurture me until I was back in charge like I preferred to be.

In the morning, I woke up late. Franco scheduled me around other expectations—like the need to rest and recover after the risky assignment last night. He also knew that I’d be at Nina’s baby shower later today, like many other soldiers.

But sleeping in was still a rarity. Olivia usually woke me up.

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