Page 76 of Liam
Flynn cursed under his breath.
“There’s more,” Liam said quietly. “He knew why Nylah’s been a target this whole time.”
Both men stilled, the silence so thick around them it was almost hard to breathe.
“He said she knows who Hawk is.”
* * *
Every minutethat passed had Nylah pressing her nails deeper into her palms. She barely felt the cool air on her skin. Barely heard the sounds of movement and chatter around her.
Liam had chased the man who’d shot up the coffee shop. Had he caught him? Was Liam okay? God, she felt like her heart was going to burst through her chest. She needed to know he was safe.
“He’ll be okay.”
She looked up at Cody. Her brother hadn’t left her side. Not while the police had interviewed her. Not when the paramedics wanted to check her over, even though she was fine.
She knew the bullets had been meant for her. They’d hit the wall right behind her head. It was like the guy had known exactly where she’d been sitting. If Cody hadn’t seen the car and thrown her to the floor…
“I just need to see him,” she said quietly, wishing she had her brother’s confidence. “What if the guy had backup? Or leads Liam to some compound or into a trap?”
“Liam’s smart. He won’t let that happen.”
She blew out a shuddering breath as Courtney and Jason came to stand with her. Jason’s arm was around Courtney’s waist. And just like Cody, his gaze hadn’t stopped shifting around the parking lot the entire time they’d been outside, as if he were moments from flinging his body onto Courtney again, just like he had during the shooting.
Courtney touched her arm. “Hey. I’m sorry I haven’t had much of a chance to check in. I wanted to make sure all the customers were okay. You doing all right?”
“I should be askingyouthat. I’m so sorry about your shop.” She couldn’t help but look at the broken glass.
Courtney squeezed her arm, drawing her attention back. “That’s all just stuff. Windows and walls. It’s fixable. Lives are a lot more fragile. I care aboutyou. And I’m glad that none of those bullets hit you.”
Nylah’s throat thickened. “Thank you. I’m glad you and everyone else in the shop are okay, too.”
Courtney tugged her into a hug that was firm and warm and comforting. Nylah leaned into it, wanting to stay exactly where she was for as long as possible.
When they finally parted, Nylah looked up at Jason, trying to keep the nerves out of her voice as she asked, “Any word on Liam?”
“Actually, he should be here right—”
A car screeched to a stop on the street. Liam’s car. Then he stepped out. And despite the chaos around them, the hustle of so many people, Liam’s eyes cut straight to her. Like she was all he saw. Like he’d spot her in a crowd of a thousand.
His gaze shifted down her body, probably searching for injuries, even as he was moving toward her with long, determined strides, practically daring someone to get between them.
When he reached her, he cupped her cheeks and studied her face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, already feeling the wave of calm wash through her body at his mere closeness. At his warm touch. “Yes. Are you?”
“I am now.”
He folded her into his chest, her cheek pressing against his heart so the steady rhythm beat into her. And finally, every muscle in her body, even the little ones she hadn’t realized were so tight, relaxed, and she let him be the warm to her cold. The strong to her weak.
She wasn’t sure how long she stayed in his arms. Whatever it was, it wasn’t enough. When she finally stepped back, she didn’t go far, because his arm wound around her waist to keep her close.
Tyler and Flynn came to stand with them, neither man looking happy.
“Did you catch him?” she finally asked, almost scared to know the answer in case she didn’t like it.
“I did.”
