Page 48 of Liam
Nylah sat on the floor of the shower, a dripping-wet towel over her mouth and nose.
The air rushed out of Liam at the sight of her unharmed. He crossed the small bathroom and knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
Thank God! He lifted her against his chest. “Cover yourself with the towel.”
She wrapped the towel over both of their heads, leaving a gap at his eyes so he could see. He wanted to argue that she use it to cover more of herself but knew she wanted to protect him as much as he wanted to protect her.
He took off, running through the flames and the condo at inhuman speed. He didn’t stop until he reached the parking lot.
Finally, he breathed his first full breath since her call. Gently, he sat her on the ground, then lowered to his haunches in front of her.
A fire truck pulled into the lot, firefighters piling out and into the condo, but he kept his entire focus on Nylah. He cupped her cheek and studied her eyes. “Did you breathe in much smoke?”
She shook her head. “The towel under the door stopped most of it.”
So damn smart. He touched his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Excuse me, do you know if anyone else is inside?”
Liam lifted his head to look at the firefighter, but it was Nylah who answered. “No, it was just me.”
More cars pulled into the condo parking lot. Police. An ambulance. And his team.
He didn’t leave Nylah’s side.
It was while she was in the back of the ambulance, being checked over, that Officer Carlson, Callum, and Flynn all approached.
The officer shifted his gaze between them with a frown. “Liam. Nylah. It’s been a busy day for you. Can you both take me through what happened tonight?”
Liam stepped in front of her. “She needs to be checked out first.” Her health came first.
But Nylah touched his arm. “No, Liam. It’s okay.” She turned her attention to the officer. “I was in the bedroom when I heard the glass shatter in the living room. A man wearing a ski mask was trying to get inside. Then another guy broke the bedroom window. I went into the bathroom and locked the door to call police and Liam. That’s when I smelled the smoke.”
Carlson nodded. “Height of intruders? Build?”
Nylah swallowed. “I’m not sure. The guy trying to get into the living room was maybe a bit over six feet? It was hard to tell with him on the other side of the window. Build was medium—not large, but not small. I didn’t see the second guy at all. Just the brick that flew through the bedroom window.”
“You didn’t see eye color, I assume?” Carlson asked.
She shook her head.
The officer turned to Liam. “Was anyone here when you arrived?”
“Someone shot at me from a car, but I didn’t see them. I shot out a tire, though, so they might have stopped to change it or even to ditch the vehicle.”
Carlson’s eyes narrowed. “You get the plates?”
“Yeah, although I’m sure they’ll be stolen again.” He gave him the plate number and knew his team would do their own search on them as well.
Carlson turned to Nylah. “I’m glad you’re okay. Have you got somewhere to stay tonight?”
“She can stay with me.”
The words were out before he could stop them, but unlike the last time, Nylah didn’t seem annoyed. Instead, as the paramedic checked her heart rate and blood pressure, she reached for his hand, sliding her fingers through his. “I’ll stay with Liam.”
A band he hadn’t even noticed constricting his chest suddenly loosened. Because for once, she was letting him take care of her. And that was fucking everything.
