Page 66 of Liam
Then his focus narrowed in on Nylah’s back.
Liam’s muscles tensed, his world reducing to just that one man. When the guy started across the room toward her, Liam was up and out of his seat in a heartbeat. He caught the asshole just before he reached the counter, grabbing his arm and spinning him.
“Who the fuck are you?” Liam growled.
The man’s eyes narrowed, anger darkening his features. He shifted slightly, settling into a balanced stance like he was ready to fight. “Get your damn hand off me or I’ll break it.”
Not a chance. “Tell me who you are.” There was something familiar about him.
“I don’t have to tell you shit. Now get your hand off me before I make you.”
* * *
When a customer steppedup to the counter, Nylah was about to assist, but Eleanor stopped her with a touch to her arm. “I’ve got it. Your shift’s finished. Get out of here. Go home and rest.”
She looked up at the clock. Eleanor was right. Damn, that had gone quickly. She almost didn’t want to leave. Because when she was home, not only was she basically forced into bed rest, she had nothing to take her mind off what had happened. Also, whatcouldhappen.
Liam was talking to Courtney at one of the tables. When his gaze met hers, she indicated she was heading to the back and he nodded, one side of his mouth lifting. Even though he’d been hovering a lot, he’d also been pretending he was fine. Like everything that was happening wasn’t affecting him. But in the moments when he thought she wasn’t watching, she saw the flickers of concern on his face. She wasn’t sure if it was concern for her, his team, or dread over what may come. Probably all three.
As she walked toward the back, the bell on the coffee shop door dinged, but she kept moving. If she didn’t, she’d stay and help serve, and she was pretty sure Liam would throw her over his shoulder and storm out of the place. He was the one who’d insisted on a short shift today.
Honestly, she felt a bit bad. Every time something happened, and she had to take time off, the pressure was on Courtney to fill her shift and replace her. Yes, the woman understood and was good about it, but Nylah had always been a hard worker, and when she committed to something, she followed through.
She stepped into the back room and grabbed her bag. When she pulled out her phone, she wasn’t surprised to see a message from Paisley.
She opened the text, then frowned.
Paisley: I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me. I thought you’d already done it.
Done it? What was she—
“Get your damn hand off me or I’ll break it.”
Her head shot up, the familiar voice trickling down her spine, making her belly do a nervous flip. It was a voice she’d know anywhere. A voice she’d grown up with.
“Tell me who you are,” Liam growled.
She rushed back into the coffee shop to see the back of her twin brother, standing opposite Liam, the two powerful men facing off. “I don’t have to tell you shit. Now get your hand off me before I make you.”
She was running before she could stop herself. She reached for Cody’s arm, but Liam saw her coming and grabbed her first, tugging her behind him.
Fury glittered in her brother’s eyes, and he stepped forward. “Don’t you fucking touch her!”
“Cody, stop!”
Liam’s gaze swung to her. “Cody? As in—”
“My twin brother,” she rushed out, pressing a palm to Liam’s chest, trying to calm some of the anger.
Understanding swept through his eyes. She looked up to see her brother’s brows slashed together, his gaze on her hand, where it still rested on Liam’s chest.
She cleared her throat. It wasn’t exactly the meeting she’d pictured between two of the most important men in her life, but it would have to do.
“Liam, this is my brother, Cody. Cody, this is Liam. We’re dating.”
CHAPTER19
“Tell me what’s going on, Ny.”
