Page 33 of Debt of My Soul

“What?” Blitz barks.

“That’s not very hospitable of us. She’s the new girl in town after all.”

I strain to see over my shoulder as Liam stalks toward us. His footsteps thud against the pavement with every formidable step, black jeans and T-shirt matching his black boots.

His broad shoulders twitch as his thick-set frame prowls forward, and he slaps a hand on Blitz’s shoulder, squeezing. Blitz lets go of my hair, and I can finally turn around fully to face them.

Liam’s hair is pulled up into a bun, eyes narrowed on my cheeks. He glances toward my car, surveying it with a self-assured gaze. With each tick of his jaw, I swallow, and he tracks the movement. Brawny arms cross in front of himself, projecting dominance the other men seem to respect and acknowledge. Except maybe Blitz.

“Well?” he asks.

“Well, what?” I snap.

Liam’s mouth flinches tight at my tone.

“You didn’t answer Trip’s question. Are you having car trouble?” His stance screams nonchalance, but I don’t miss the way his eyes continuously scan our surroundings.

“Me? No. I love sitting on the side of the road with a nail in my tire in the dead of night.”

Liam’s mouth tightens further into a straight line, while Blitz laughs.

“Liam, she’d be a feisty one. Let the guys have some fun.” He motions back to the other men, but Liam doesn’t even glance at them. He holds my eyes as if he is memorizing them.

“Get back in the car, boys,” Liam demands.

They all grumble and curse him while obeying his command. Trip yells back before he gets in the car. “Well, at least let us watch!”

My eyes widen, and my knees quiver. Liam’s nostrils flare as he jerks his head around and yells at them to move it. Stepping forward, he towers over me, and I back up into my open door. My cavalier comments in sarcasm were not the best choice, and I’m regretting them at this exact moment.

As if he realizes my panic, he rolls his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. Where’s your spare?”

I blink. “My spare?”

“Did I stutter? Your tire. Where is your spare tire?”

“In the cargo area. Underneath, I think.”

Liam moves to the trunk and pulls out the jack and lug wrench. He brings both items to the front and squats down, his muscled thighs straining his jeans as he shuffles around. How does a man like this end up with thugs like that? I look back at the car as one of the men lights up a joint and licks his lips at me.Gross.

“Fleur.” Liam’s voice startles me. “Hold the light for me.”

He works to loosen the lug nuts, then places the jack underneath the car and lifts it until the tire is off the ground. He moves methodically, pulling off the tire and placing the spare on the wheel bolts and tightening.

When he’s finished, he stands, body grazing past me, and I jolt back. He chuckles, setting the flat tire down with a single hand and wiping his other on his shirt.

“My brother must have told you some dark things …”

Because I’m jumpy around him?

I scowl. “No. Your thugs back there told me all I need to know about you.”

Liam’s shoulders stiffen, his jaw working back and forth. “What did Adam say, Fleur?”

I’m confused. Why does he care?

“Said you were working off a debt.”

He snorts. “Guess that’s about right.”

---