Page 92 of Addicted

Now Owen understood why Lilly didn’t speak with her sister and he would honor her and Logan by making sure there was retribution. Strange how he didn’t want revenge against Sharon but those two con artists? He needed to see them go down.

“Can we do anything about this? Have them arrested? Get some of Liam’s money back?” Owen rubbed Liam’s arm as he sniffled.

“There are several avenues we can take. Morally, we can have Barton disbarred and both of them investigated. I’m sure that what they did to you wasn’t an isolated incident. If they’ve been spending for the last three years then there’s a strong chance we won’t be able to recover much of the inheritance. However, we should be able to freeze their assets, at least until everything is settled, and you can sue them in civil court. While Liam was eighteen and legally able to sign there’s a strong argument here that he wasn’t of sound mind and we might be able to find a criminal charge somewhere. One that carries jail time.” She gave Owen a hauntingly fierce grin and he realized that he wasn’t the only angry one at the table. “I’ll be having lunch with a few friends tomorrow, one of whom is the district attorney, and I’m sure he will have someadviceon what to do. If I ask, he will take a personal interest in this and help me see it through.”

“Remind me to never make you mad, Maya.” Freddy’s eyebrows were halfway up his forehead.

“You shouldn’t.” She gathered up the paperwork. “I understand that they want you to meet and sign away more money?”

“Yes,” Liam found his voice again, pulling away from Owen. His eyes were swollen but there was determination in them. “My aunt said they discovered a bank account under my mother’s maiden name. I guess she wants to take that too.”

“Greedy little gits,” she muttered, sliding everything back into the envelope. “Can you put her off for a few days? I’ll get more information and call you with a plan of action.”

“Okay. Th-Thank you. Ms. Chauhan.” Liam was trying to be as strong as possible and it made Owen proud.

“You’re more than welcome, Liam.” Her voice softened and that warm smile flickered across her features again. “I’m going to do whatever I can to help.”

30

LIAM

Owendidn’tstartthecar; instead, they sat quietly in the parking lot of the law office, letting things sink in. Liam stared out of the windshield at the concrete with its white painted lines, not seeing anything, only trying to absorb.

“They took my money.” It was all he could say. Not only had he lost his parents but he’d been swindled. And he’d suffered for years because of it. He should be angry, and he was, but despair tangled with his fury, fighting for dominance, and leaving him unable to decide how he felt. Why must everything be so hard? He was just finding his footing and life was throwing him yet another curveball.

He should call Linda again and lean on her, but he barely had the energy. He wanted to go home, find a dark corner, and curl up with his blanket.

Fingertips brushed his cheek and he turned to find Owen looking at him with a bright blue gaze full of understanding and support. It didn’t make things better but it managed to ease some of the tangle within.

“I know, Liam. And I’m sorry. But theywillface the consequences of their actions.”

Liam glanced down at his hands which were clutched tightly together, the knuckles white. Owen must have noticed because he pried them apart, holding one of them in a warm grip.

“Have faith. Ms. Chauhan is quite…formidable.”

Liam gave a mirthless chuckle. “She’s terrifying.”

“She really is. That’s why I’m glad she’s on our side.”

Liam sighed, squeezing Owen’s hand. “I’m having some trouble processing all of this.” He wasn’t used to sharing his feelings but what his therapist said was true, it was easier on his soul when he didn’t keep things bottled up.

“That’s to be expected.” Owen placed a kiss on the back of Liam’s hand. “You’ve been through so much and you don’t deserve this on top of everything. I sometimes wish I didn’t notice-”

“No.” Liam sat up straighter, feeling his eyebrows scrunch. “I want to know the truth. Always. And you heard her. They probably did this to other people too. Which means you’re not just helpingme.”

“That’s…” Owen’s face cleared, “something I hadn’t considered.”

“So, thank you.” Liam heaved another sigh and it was his turn to kiss the back of Owen’s hand. “This whole thing sucks but thank you.”

Owen pulled Liam in for a quick kiss. “I would do anything for you,” he whispered as their lips parted. Those words took up residency in Liam’s heart, kicking out some of the despair and rage.

“I um, yeah, the same.” Liam was unable to articulate anything when Owen was being such a prince.

Owen laughed, starting the engine. “Unfortunately, duty calls. Are you okay to go home or do you want to come to work with me?”

“Home.” Liam wasn’t ready to see everyone at work yet, too exhausted from spending the morning at rehab and the afternoon getting slapped with the fact that he’d been conned by a family member who was supposed to care for him. In hindsight, it made sense. His parents never spoke to Diane and when she appeared after the accident, her demeanor hadn’t been right. She’d been too stern, not shaken at all by her sister and brother-in-law’s death, and she’d made Liam uncomfortable, rarely keeping in touch once everything was over and chastising him when she did.

“Okay.” Reaching for the shifter, Owen stopped, blinked a few times, then shook his head as if he was trying to clear it.

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