Page 18 of Recklessly You
Goddamn it. Nauseating fear rolls in my stomach. “Stay in the car, Sophie. Keep Dante safe. I’m close by, okay?”
She’s panting and wheezing.
“Breathe, Grenade.” I click the line on hold, turn my light on, and speed to Mila’s.
She is like a sister to me. I can’t lose her. She’s Dominic’s entire world. I park my SUV and run to her door. John calls for backup. I’m about to open the door when there’s an enormous crash. Screaming. Then the apartment goes quiet and still. When I open the door a few inches, I see Mila pointing the gun at Rachel. Mila is shaking, shoulders quivering, hands clenched, and eyes scrunched. Rachel stands with a blank expression, her arms low at her sides.
The last time I was this frightened was the day I lost my father. I’m not sure what I’m walking into, but I walk in anyway, calm Mila down, and take the gun from her. She’s shaken up, so I help her find a seat. The officers take Rachel. I walk outside to check on Sophie and Dante. Dante is lying in the back seat of Sophie’s Mustang, watching videos on her phone. She’s distracting him, thankfully.
“She’s okay?” Sophie’s chin trembles, and a tear skates down her cheek.
I wipe her tears with my thumb. As shaken as she is, I pull her into my arms and hug her. I know it’s what she needs right now.
She sobs. “I was so scared, Liam,” she mouths into my shoulder.
I stroke her back. “Me too.”
She pulls away and wipes her tears. John waves me over just as Dominic walks over to Dante.
Sophie’s eyes narrow, her lips tighten, and her jaw clenches as she glares at Dominic.Damn.
“Can I go check on Mila?” she asks as I walk over to John.
I nod. “Yeah, she needs you.”
Holding Sophie in my arms felt like heaven and hell. The sweet scent of her perfume had me hooked like a drug wanting more of her lingering scent. Releasing her from my arms tugged the strings in my heart. I wanted to hold her, comfort her, but I knew I had to let her go—for so many reasons. Letting her go is more terrifying than anything. That alone scares the hell out of me for having such strong feelings for her.
CHAPTER 6
SOPHIE
My head has been spinning from everything happening in the studio lately. Things always get hectic around the most festive time of the year. Now that Christmas has come and gone, there’s been no let-up in our bookings. Mila left for Manhattan last night, and I’ve been scrambling to catch up. It’s been a couple of weeks since the incident happened with Rachel. I’ve never experienced such terror in my entire life. When I got to the house, I felt something was off. I asked Dante to stay in the car while I checked inside. When I saw Rachel aiming a gun at Mila, I sprinted and dialed Liam. Thank God Mila was unharmed and that I had taken Dante shopping. Despite having anxiety for days, I managed to maintain my composure because Mila needed me.
I hear the front door chime. It must be my last client of the day, from a new law firm opening. I’ll be taking headshots of the attorneys for their website. Daliah walks up with a shit-eating grin.
“OMG, Sophie, there are three men waiting for you,” she whispers, fanning herself. “So hot it will make your popsicle melt. And they’re ready for you.”
A throaty laugh escapes my lips. When I see them, I stop and gape. Damn, she wasn’t joking. They are hot.
An hour later, I finished up with the last guy of the three. He clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck nervously. From the looks of it, he’s contemplating what to say.
“Umm, I was wondering if you’re free for New Year’s Eve. I’d love to take you out.” He exhales a long, nervous laugh.
I gaze at his profile for a while. Although it’s not summer, he has perfectly natural brown skin, as if he was kissed by the sun. His long and slicked-back sandy blond hair has one flawless side-swept strand. His hazel eyes highlight his skin’s bronze color. He is muscular, but not overly so, and slender.
Not bad. And my only other plans are to watch my favorite classic movies,Dirty DancingandSixteen Candles, and loathe myself while I stuff my face. The only friend I have made since I moved here is Daliah, and she already has plans for New Year’s Eve.
“You know…I would like that. My best friend is out of town. I was planning to stay home.”
He smiles coyly. “Great.” He reaches for his dress shirt pocket and pulls out a business card, handing it to me.
I read his name. “Chad…” I raise a brow at him. Jeez, Sophie, smooth... you agree to go out with a guy, and you don’t even know his name.
He chuckles, raking his chin. “Fuck, I’m horrible at this. I should have introduced myself before asking you out.” He looks over his shoulder at the guys watching him embarrass himself. His cheeks splash with a tint of pink.
It’s adorable.
I shrug. “Hey, no worries. Maybe I am too.”
