Page 89 of Liam
“Can you hear me now?”
He faced the parking lot. There were a handful of people outside, standing several feet away.
“I found something today. At first I didn’t think anything of it, but the more I sit on it, the more I think it’s important.” There was a pause, and Nylah held her breath as she waited. “I have a lead on someone who’s been in Cradle Mountain since before the first shooting. It’s—”
Suddenly, a loud bang exploded.
Immediately, Nylah recognized the sound as a gunshot—but the bullet was already in Carlson.
She didn’t have time to scream before a big body hit her from behind, sending her to the ground.
* * *
Liam trackedNylah as she crossed the bar to the bathroom. Not only did he watch her, he also watched everyone around her, making sure no one’s eyes lingered. That no one paid her more attention than they should.
“Hey. She’s okay.”
Liam glanced at Cody. He’d gotten closer to Nylah’s twin brother over the last week. The guy was intense and protective of his sister. Liam liked it. The more people looking out for her, the better. “She doesn’t seem to feel any fear about what could happen.”
One side of Cody’s mouth lifted. “Because she’s stubborn. She’s decided that everyone’s going to be okay and the bad guys are going to be arrested, so that’s obviously what’s going to happen.”
“She told you that?”
“Yeah. She was very convincing too. Told me this guy you have a sketch of is going to mess up and get caught, then he and all his minions will never see the light of day again.”
Liam shook his head.
Some of the humor left Cody’s eyes. “Also, she can sense your unease, and she’s trying to be calm for you.”
A muscle in Liam’s cheek twitched. He wasn’t surprised. “I’m guessing she told you that too?”
“Nah, I can see it. She reads people well. Probably from working in a bar and having five overreactive brothers.”
Liam frowned, checking the bathroom door again. “How do you feel about her being here and not back home?”
“I hate it. I want her where I can see her, especially after this entire fucking mess.”
“Understandable.”
“But…she’s happy here.” He lifted a shoulder. “Plus, she found herself a man who’s actually more protective and overbearing than me and all my brothers combined. So I feel like she’s safe with you.”
Liam couldn’t even muster a smile at that. “She is.”
“I know. I see it.”
Liam frowned when he saw Nylah walk out of the bathroom, pause…then head toward the far end of the bar.
He straightened when he saw Carlson close by.
The officer’s head was down as he walked outside. When Nylah left the bar, Liam’s gut coiled. She was following Carlson toward the exit.
Fuck!What the hell was she doing?
Liam rushed toward the door, but not before she pushed outside. He growled and moved faster.
He’d just stepped out behind her when the shot fired.
Liam lunged, grabbing Nylah around the waist, spinning and dropping to the ground. He rolled on top of her, covering her body with his own.
