When we step into the elevator, Liam doesn’t let go of my hand and also doesn’t give me my bag.
I’m itching to glance up at him but keep my eyes on the doors until they slide open. Instead of walking to the SUV, we head in the direction of a Bugatti.
Liam glances around the basement before opening the passenger door while holding the handbag out to me. Taking it, I climb inside the vehicle, and after setting the bag down by my feet, I tug on the seat belt.
When Liam slides behind the steering wheel, the stark contrast between him and Finn strikes me again.
Going to the event with Finn was uncomfortable, and everything after that was pure hell.
Sitting next to Liam, I know I have nothing to fear.
Whether it’s been coming since the first time I laid eyes on him or if it’s happening at this moment, I can’t tell. My heart constricts, then it bursts with an overwhelming emotion. The electricity I felt in the room rushes back, making me feel nervous and captivated by his every movement.
I’ve been infatuated before. I’ve even been in love once.
But this? I’ve never felt such a strong reaction to a man before.
Maybe it’s because he saved me. He’s protecting Mom and me. And he’s so gentle with me.
Liam presses a button, the sportscar roaring to life, then he glances at me. “You okay?”
“Yes.” The strength I lost yesterday is slowly returning.
The corner of his mouth lifts before he turns his eyes to the front and drives us out of the basement. “My address–”
“I remember. You told me last night,” he replies while expertly steering us through the city traffic.
Chapter 23
Liam
When I park outside Kiara’s apartment building, I already know I’m not going to like what I see once we’re inside.
The area’s rundown and definitely not safe for a woman living alone.
Getting out of the car, I walk around the front. Kiara opens the door, and I wait for her to climb out, then shut it and place my hand on her lower back. I let her show the way up two flights of stairs. She digs in her bag for her keys, and when she unlocks the door, I push it open and step inside. “Wait here.”
“Oh-kay.”
It takes me less than a minute to search the apartment. If you can even call it that.
The furniture looks like it’s been through a war, the paint on the wall is peeling off in places, water staining the ceiling.
Jesus.
There’s no way I’ll ever fucking shut an eye again, knowing she calls this dump home.
Before I can sensor my tone, I order, “Pack for a week.”
“Why?”
Because I’m never letting you come back here.
“Just in case you need more clothes.”
“Right, rather safe than sorry,” she chuckles nervously before darting into the bedroom, that’s so fucking small the single bed takes up most of the space.
My fucking couch is bigger than that bed.
I glance around, then ask, “Also, take anything of value to you.”
“It should be safe.”
“I doubt it,” I mutter, my skin feeling like something’s crawling over it.
Kiara comes out with a bag, the kind you use for the gym, and I quickly move to take it from her. “Do you have everything?”
“Oh, wait.” She darts to the kitchen, and opening the cupboard, she takes a mug from it. It’s pink, with words printed on it.
Daddy’s lass.
“It’s my favorite,” she explains as she comes to tuck it in the bag.
Lass.
“You’re Irish?”
Kiara’s eyes snap up to mine, then a nervous expression flutters over her face. “Ah… my dad is.” She chuckles. “I’m a mixed breed.”
Interesting.
“Talking about parents. I really need to check in on my mom.”
“We can stop by her place on the way home.”
One night and I’m associating home with her. Jesus.
Walking to the front door, I wait for Kiara to step out into the hallway, then lock up behind us. Pocketing the keys, I place my hand on her lower back again so I can yank her out of the way should danger suddenly cross our path.
I place her bag in the trunk, and once we’ve climbed into the car, I glare at the apartment building, wondering how Kiara’s survived until now.
I need to look at what I’m paying her, in case she’s not interested in me, so she can at least get a better place where she’s safe.
The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth, the possessive feeling rearing in my chest.
Now I understand why some men kidnap a woman.
Driving to her mother’s place doesn’t take long, and the area’s even worse.
Ian and Rowan are standing by their SUV. “Hey, boss. Everythin’s clear,” Rowan informs me.
“Caleb and Hudson at the back?”
“Aye.”
I walk Kiara into the building, and when she starts giving me nervous glances, I say, “Just making sure you get to the door in one piece, then I’ll leave you to visit with your mom.”