Page 5 of Liv Parrish

The night Nick and I met, I was in a particularly bad part of town making sure one of the kids from the center got home okay. My car broke down and I found myself surrounded by a group of men who didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word no. Things could have gone horribly for me that night if Nick hadn’t stepped in. The men obviously knew who he was, and when he gave the order, they didn’t hesitate to let me go and disappear, which I didn’t think to question at the time. It was only later that I found out who my savior was, the enforcer for one of the most dangerous men in the Irish Mob. Yes, that’s still a thing here. Who knew! Now I owe him for saving my virtue and my life, and occasionally he will collect by making use of my first aid skills, much like Heath did the night I found him. Only in Nick’s case, there is zero chemistry, and our association is meant to be kept secret, at his insistence. Not even my closest friends Ren and Evan know about him, because Nick and I are not friends, despite my attempts to learn more about him. I think he’s lonely, isolating himself because of the work he does, which makes me sad and maybe a little more forgiving of his moods than I should be, but in this instance he isn’t wrong. I’m going to ignore the scolding part though.

“Aah, you’re a real prince among men, Nick Reardon. You should put that on your business card. Rescuer of damsels in distress. A real prince among men.”

“No Little Pain, that’s where you are mistaken. Just because I saved you from being raped, possibly murdered and now tortured, doesn’t make me a good guy. The sooner you learn that lesson, the better off you’ll be. Now stay still. The nurse will be here in a second to make you more comfortable.” As if summoned by his words, a nurse comes rushing in and promptly starts taking my vitals in that calm professional way that automatically puts you at ease. After that, she questions me about my pain levels and then notes everything in my chart.

“Okay, dear. Call if you need anything. The doctor will be around shortly to look at you and will prescribe something for the pain. Just hang tight.” And off she goes again. So efficient. So responsible. I should be taking notes. Instead, I turn back to Nick who’s staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

“Thank you for saving my life, Nick. Again.” He sighs and shakes his head slightly, keeping his eyes averted from me.

“This shouldn’t have happened. Jesus, Liv, they came after you because of me! What would have happened if I didn’t find you in time?!” He sounds genuinely upset, not something I’ve seen before. Nick prefers to act like the blunt instrument his reputation will have you believe. I have seen him angry a time or two, and annoyed. Let’s not forget that one, but not this. I don’t like it, especially because his anger is misplaced.

“That’s not true! They came by the center, harassing a few of the older boys and when they left, I followed. It had nothing to do with you.”

“They were sniffing around the center because of me. They must have figured out I’m looking out for you, so they took you and used you as bait to get to me. And for crying out loud, what were you thinking going after them on your own?!”

“That’s crazy. And also irrelevant, because you did get to me in time, and they didn’t get you. And now we know— “

“Dammit, this is not a game! And we don’t know anything more except that you are on their radar now and I’ll have to keep looking after your dumb ass. Like I don’t have enough to do. Jesus!”

“Okay, you’ve made your point. I was stupid and impulsive, but the good news is I’m not your problem. You can leave anytime you want. I won’t cause you any more trouble.” Yes, I can hear how childish that sounds, but I can’t help it. I mistakenly thought we were in this, whatever this is, together. That I could be useful somehow, but his little outburst set me straight and left no doubt as to what he really thinks. He sighs again like I’m making him tired, followed by a look of regret, or maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part.

“Look, I’m–” That’s as far as he gets before he’s rudely interrupted, which is a shame because I’m pretty sure hell was about to freeze over.

“Liv, thank God! Who is this?!” Oh shit. Evan stands in the doorway to my room, but all his attention is focused on Nick with his bulging muscles and tattoos snaking down his arms and up his neck. To say Nick looks like a thug would be an understatement. He looks every inch the mob enforcer I’ve gotten to know over the past few months, and I can see this is not going to end well. Evan is one of my closest friends, besides Ren, and there is a reason I’ve kept my association with Nick a secret from them, besides the fact that he asked me to. They are protective of me, and they wouldn’t understand why I’d even want anything to do with Nick. Ren pushes past him with a glare and rushes to my side, choosing to ignore the tension emanating from the two men in the room.

“Oh, Liv, what happened to you? Who did this?” She doesn’t wait for an answer and turns her attention to Nick, who’s still in a silent stand-off with Evan. “What the hell happened to her?” Between Evan and Ren, they give Nick a death stare until Evan turns to me again.

"Dammit, Liv, who is this guy and why is he here? Tell me he’s not the reason you’re lying in a hospital bed looking like you went nine rounds with Mike Tyson?”

"Okay, you guys need to listen to me. Nick saved my life. Without him I would still be in that warehouse, or somewhere much worse. He’s the only reason I’m safe right now and I really need you to stop glaring at him. He is not the bad guy here." That earns me a raised eyebrow from Nick, but he doesn’t say anything. Despite the conversation we had only moments ago and what I know about his life, he’s not going to convince me that there isn’t some good in him. He has proven it more than once. Unfortunately, Evan and Ren do not know any of this.

“Not happening. And what warehouse?” The stare-off continues with both Nick and I keeping quiet on the details, until another familiar voice draws my attention back to the door.

“Okay, everyone out! Right now!” Oh great, someone called Luke and obviously forgot to tell him this is a hospital and not one of his training exercises. I watch my brother stride into my room as if he owns it and wonder how he got here so fast from Fort Bragg, but it’s time to do something about all the tension in the room. I grab hold of my bedcovers and push them aside, swinging my legs to the floor. “Liv, I swear to God …” He looks about ready to erupt and I smirk at him, childishly happy that I can still get a rise out of my twin, then swing my legs back up onto the bed, causing a white-hot pain to explode in my side that has me gasping for breath. Shit! His eyes swing back to me from where they were pinned to Ren, a strange expression on his face, and when he sees the pain etched on my face, his turns to stone. “Move people!” Nick, who hasn’t moved from the chair next to my bed, finally stands up and turns to me, leaning down so that he can look me in the eye while keeping his voice low.

“Take it easy, okay? And try to stay out of trouble. I’ll talk to you soon.” Without a word to anyone else he turns to the door where Luke stops him.

“Don’t leave, I need to talk to you.” So, Nick was the one who called Luke. Huh, I didn’t know they knew each other. I’ve never mention Luke to Nick during any of our conversations, but I’m also starting to realize there’s more to Nick than I first thought. Evan steps up next and drops a kiss on my cheek before leaving as well, but not looking happy about it. Ren has him firmly by the arm though, so it’s not as if he has a choice. Another strange look passes between her and Luke before they step out of the room. It’s almost as if they know each other, but surely, she would have mentioned that to me before. Once they’ve all left, I turn my attention back to my brother, but we’re interrupted by a doctor strolling into the room.

“Miss Parrish, it’s good to see you are awake. How are you feeling this morning?” Only then does he turn towards Luke, maybe trying to decide if he should be present during this discussion.

“He’s my brother. And I’m good. Well, not good. I mean, I know I look like hell, but I’m fine. I’d very much like to go home.” I attempt to Jedi mind trick him into believing that I’m well enough to leave, but he doesn’t look happy.

“Let’s take a look, okay? It’s best not to rush these things.” After checking my injuries and making sure I’m not concussed, he reluctantly agrees that I can leave after lunch. With that he leaves the room and I’m left facing my brother who has been observing quietly from the corner by the window.

“You didn't have to come, Luke. I'm fine." He gives an obnoxious snort before stepping closer to the bed.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now? This happens,” he waives a hand over me, “and I have to hear about it from … some guy! Why the hell didn't you call me?” He looks like one of those cartoon characters with the volcano erupting out of the top of his head and I have to bite the inside of my lip to stop the amusement showing on my face. His glare intensifies and the muscle in his jaw ticks with anger and frustration. Oh well, it was worth a try.

“Luke, it literally just happened last night. When was I supposed to call? And anyway, you are hundreds of miles away, protecting our country. I won’t get in the way of that, I know how important being a Marine is to you. I’m fine, it’s just a few cuts and bruises.” Okay, so it’s a little more serious than that, and he knows now that he’s seen the evidence for himself thanks to the doctor’s examination. A pained look crosses his face.

“Livvy, you are the most important person in my life. You know if I can, I will always come to you. And I need to know that you will call irrespective. Promise me!” I don’t respond and he knows better. We don’t have that kind of relationship, despite being twins. He heaves out a sigh before dropping into the chair Nick vacated. “You moved again.” That sounds like an accusation, and I’m not in the mood for it right now.

“I’m not running anymore,” I argue, but he just gives me a disbelieving look. We’ve had this discussion before. “Or hiding. And it doesn’t matter because you still found me.”

“You're my sister, Liv. My twin. We are all the family we have. I'll always find you, but I had some help this time.”

“Nick.” We both know the truth, but for some reason it bothers me that they have a relationship I know nothing about.

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