Page 57 of Southie
Lost in my thoughts, I forgot Damian had come into the office. When his hand landed on my shoulder, I flinched.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked, walking around to the other side of my father’s desk, putting some much-needed space between us.
“Just asking what’s up with you?”
“Nothing much,” I said, pulling my camera from my bag. “I’m supposed to take some pictures of you guys today.”
“That’s what’s up. I saw your last shots. They look fantastic.”
I nodded as I fidgeted with my camera.
“Let me holla at you for a minute,” he said, placing his hand on top of mine.
I briefly glanced up at him before I removed his hand. “Okay,” I responded, keeping my eyes focused on what I was doing and wishing he’d just go away.
“Umm…I wanted to take you out tomorrow night.”
I stopped setting up my camera but didn’t raise my head. I’d hoped he’d given up on us going out.
“There’s this band playing I think you’d love. You promised you’d think about it, but you haven’t given me an answer yet.”
“Damian, I know what I told you and I’ve given you an answer multiple times, but you won’t accept it. I can’t go out with you. There’s some stuff going on in my life right now and I don’t need to add any more drama to it.”
He smacked his lips, but the one person I’d been avoiding for the past month cut his answer off. The one person my body and heart yearned to see came through the office door. Finally seeing his ruggedly handsome face after our time apart was like a punch to the gut.
My breath hitched when our gazes collided.
“Liam,” I whispered.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Do you know him?” Damian asked, looking between Liam and me.
The answer eluded me after seeing the man I’d missed so much. Being away from him this long, all I wanted to do was run into his arms. But then again, I also wasn’t sure if that was the best thing to do.
Damian must’ve taken my silence as me not knowing Liam.
He turned away from me and glared at him. “Hey man, we’re having a private conversation.”
“Not anymore,” Liam snapped without taking his eyes off me. “Get out.”
Liam stood a few inches taller than Damian, and he was a hell of a lot more menacing.
Damian positioned himself between me and Liam but we could still see each other, and the anger and territorial look in Liam’s eyes wasn’t a good thing. Damian didn’t understand how dangerous Liam Daugherty truly was, and I didn’t think I did either.
“Who the fuck do you think you talking to?” Damian bellowed.
For the first time since Liam entered the office, his eyes drifted from mine and I knew that wasn’t good. His green eyes darkened, and coldness replaced anger. My pulse picked up when his posture became rigid. It wasn’t the best idea to get between two fighters, but I had no other choice. If I didn’t, this wouldn’t end well.
Liam took a step toward Damian and I moved as quickly as I could to stand between the two men before they came to blows. I faced Liam with my palms against his chest while he continued to glare at Damian.
“Move out of the way, Camilla. I don’t know who this motherfucka thinks he is, but I’m about to show his ass.”
I ignored Damian. My concern was what Liam would do to him, and Damian wasn’t worth him going to jail.
“Don’t listen to him, Liam,” I pleaded. “Listen to me. Focus on me, baby.”
His nostrils flared, and his heart pounding against his chest vibrated against the palms of my hand.
