Owned by a Sinner (Sinners 2)

He only nods, then glances at me.

“I told Mom everything. She knows about the guards, and I thought she should meet them.”

“Good idea.” He pulls his phone out and a couple of seconds later, says, “Gather the men and come to the apartment.”

Subtly, Mom steps closer to me. It’s clear she’s wary of Liam.

Minutes later, four men gather in the hallway. “Boss?” The one who seems to be the leader steps forward.

Liam gestures at him. “This is Rowan. That’s Ian, Caleb, and Hudson,” he introduces them.

“I’m Tara,” Mom mutters, clearly rattled by all the men. I place my hand around her lower back, giving her a sideways hug.

“My mom will be safe with them, right?” I ask for Mom’s benefit.

Liam glances between us. “They’ll guard her with their lives,” he locks eyes with Mom, “But I’d like to move you to a safe house until the threat’s been dealt with.”

“Oh.” Mom glances at me. “I don’t know about that.”

“You can always come stay with me,” I say.

Liam shakes his head. “You’re not going back to the apartment.” My eyebrows furrow. “But if it will make you feel better, I have a couple of guestrooms at the penthouse.”

I blink at Liam, my mind racing a mile a minute.

“We can talk about it in three days,” Liam says, sparing me from having to answer.

“Yes.” I turn to Mom. “Don’t worry about it now. I’ll call you often to keep you up to date with what’s happening.”

“But you’re going to stay with him?” Mom asks.

“Kiara’s safe with me,” Liam interjects. “And I’ve arranged guards for her as well.”

I hug Mom, then whisper, “I’ll be okay. Please don’t worry.”

“Call me every day.”

“I will. I promise.”

We pull apart, then Mom looks at Liam. “Please keep her safe.”

He nods. “I will.”

I feel the words in my bones, which is comforting because this man is all that stands between Finn and me.

I give Mom another hug. “I’ll call tomorrow.”

She nods, then her eyes follow us out of the apartment. We’re quiet as we leave the building, and only once Liam is steering the Bugatti down the street do I ask, “What did you mean when you said I’m not going back to my apartment?”

His eyes flick between the road and me, then he answers, “It’s not safe there. You can stay with me until we’ve made other arrangements.”

Live with him. Liam Byrne. My boss.

Ahh…

“Like I said, we can talk about it in a couple of days.”

Right. Why do I get the feeling the talk is not going to be in my favor?

Do I mind?

Dropping the subject, for now, I glance out of the window at the sidewalks bustling with people.

Suddenly something occurs to me, and I turn my gaze back to Liam. “Don’t you have guards following you around? I’ve only noticed them at the penthouse and company.”

A frown forms on his forehead. “Do I give you the impression that I need an entourage of guards?”

“No. I just thought…” The head of the mafia would have guards. “with you being a CEO of such a big company, you’d have protection.”

For the first time since we met, an arrogant smirk, that’s off the charts hot, tugs at his mouth. “I can protect myself.”

My stomach flutters crazily.

Yep, I’ve got it bad for this man.

My eyes drift over his muscled body and his hands, the veins snaking up his forearms and disappearing beneath the black fabric of the sleeves that have been rolled up.

Liam glances at me, and I quickly look out the window, my cheeks flushing from being caught staring at him.

Chapter 25

Kiara

After Liam showed me to the guest room, and I bathed, I changed into my own clothes. Not wanting to walk around in my usual leggings and t-shirt, I’m wearing one of the outfits I bought for work.

On a Saturday.

Which I’m spending with my boss.

Yeah, it’s crazy.

When I come down the stairs, it’s to find Liam in the kitchen, sizzling steak filling the air with a delicious aroma.

“Can I help?”

Liam glances at me, does a double-take, then stares at me. His eyes narrow. “That top looks familiar.”

The bags he saw at Dad’s. “Ah, I wore it to work before,” I lie through my teeth.

He nods, then turns his attention back to the steak.

“So…” I walk closer, and resting my elbow on the counter, I place my chin in my hand, “anything I can help with?”

He shakes his head but then says, “You can pour the wine.” He gestures to a wine cooler that’s been built into the kitchen. “You choose.”

I know nothing about wines. Opening the door, I peek over the selection then take the bottle nearest to me. “I have a question.” I set the bottle down on the marble top.

“Let me have it.”

“You said you don’t consume anything you didn’t prepare yourself, but you drink wine?”