Page 5 of Beckoning Liam

"Vague?" he retorted, his frustration building. "The client who gave you those documents is missing, Becks. Does that sound like a coincidence to you?"

She looked up at him then, her hazel eyes a mix of fire and intellect. "I won't be intimidated into hiding because of something I might have stumbled upon. I'm not built that way."

"Damn it, Rebecca!" Liam swore, the use of her full name a sharp note in the charged atmosphere. His presence all but overwhelmed the small space. Her scent hit him like a physical blow, reminding him of the undeniable attraction that simmered beneath the surface. "Being brave doesn't mean being foolish. You…"

For a long moment, they stood locked in a silent battle of wills, then slowly, she nodded.

"All right, Liam," she said, surrendering to the necessity of the situation. "What do we do next?"

"First, we get you somewhere safe," he answered, his relief palpable. "Then we figure out how deep this rabbit hole goes."

"Lead the way," Becks said, offering a hesitant smile that held more courage than fear.

"Remember, call me Liam," he reminded her, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he turned towards the door, ready to defend her with every skill at his disposal.

“Why?”

“I think if you call me Sir or Master it will raise an awful lot of eyebrows.”

Becks blushed as Liam's hand braced against the mahogany door frame of her office, his eyes scanning the hallway beyond with military precision as he took in every detail that might pose a threat—or an opportunity.

The door at the end of the hall exploded inward, the crash reverberating like a thunderclap. Liam’s hand shot out, yankingBecks down behind her desk just as heavy boots pounded toward them.

“Stay low,” he commanded, his voice taut, body coiled like a spring. His frame shielded hers as the air thickened with tension, each breath laden with the promise of danger.

A single figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the hallway light, a predator hunting its prey. The glint of steel in the intruder’s hand—a knife—gleamed like a warning. Liam’s instincts roared to life.

“Stay here,” he ordered Becks, his tone brooking no argument. He rose with the swiftness of a striking viper, putting himself squarely in the assailant’s path.

The attacker lunged, the blade slashing through the air with lethal intent. Liam sidestepped, his years of training manifesting in fluid, calculated movements. He caught the man’s wrist mid-swing, twisting sharply. The knife clattered to the floor, but the assailant was relentless, following up with a punch aimed at Liam’s jaw.

Liam blocked it, the impact sending a jolt through his arm, and retaliated with a precise strike to the man’s ribs. A grunt of pain escaped the intruder, but he didn’t falter. They grappled, the fight a blur of raw power and honed skill, until Liam slammed the man into the nearest wall with bone-jarring force.

“Becks, move now!” Liam barked, glancing over his shoulder as she hesitated. Her wide eyes met his, but she scrambled to her feet, darting toward the side door.

The attacker surged again, wrenching free and drawing a second weapon from his boot—a small pistol this time. Time slowed. Liam launched forward, his hand closing around the man’s wrist just as the gun fired. The shot went wild, embedding itself in the far wall. With a brutal twist, Liam disarmed him, the weapon tumbling uselessly to the ground.

The intruder staggered but refused to give up. Liam didn’t relent. A sharp blow to the man’s temple finally sent him crashing to the floor, unconscious.

Liam inhaled deeply, trying to catch his breath, as he turned to see Becks standing by the door, her computer bag and purse already hung over her shoulder. He realized that she must have been planning to leave before he showed up. Her complexion was pale, but she didn’t seem as if she was about to panic, but did appear to be determined to get through this.

"Move!" he barked at Becks, his protective instincts flaring as he covered her retreat.

Together, they slipped into the hallway, leaving the wreckage behind. The danger wasn’t over, but they had gained precious seconds. And for now, that was enough.

"Trust me!" Liam said. They were a team now, bound by necessity and perhaps the thread of something deeper that neither had the luxury to explore.

They slipped through a side exit in case there were others waiting at the front or back, their breathing ragged, hearts racing for more reasons than one. As they emerged into the relative safety of the university’s grounds, Liam couldn't help but pull Becks close, ensuring she was indeed real and unharmed.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his gaze searching hers for any sign of injury or trauma.

"Thanks to you," she replied, her voice quivering not only with fear but also with a hint of newfound respect. In the face of danger, their connection had deepened and solidified into something neither could deny nor ignore.

"Let's keep moving," Liam said, his voice urgent, but his touch lingered a moment longer than necessary before grasping her hand and pulling her behind him as he dragged them into the shadows to slip away from whomever was chasing them.

Chapter Three

Becks

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