It would be okay. Sven had sung the praises of Ward Security over the years, particularly about his boss. Rowe Ward was a good guy. He looked out for the people in his employ and he was discreet. He’d met Rowe only once before, and that had been at the wedding a week ago.
Not exactly a great impression he was creating with this second meeting.
Liam clenched his hands again and started to turn toward the receptionist to tell her he was going to leave when the door opened to reveal a short, stocky man with bright red hair. Liam winced to see the happy expression on his face drain away. His jaw hardened, his narrowed eyes sweeping over his black eye, long cut on his forehead, and other bruises on his face. Yeah, he looked like shit.
“Does Sven know about whatever”—Rowe paused and motioned toward Liam’s face—“this is?”
“No, and I’d really like it if he didn’t find out while he’s on his honeymoon,” Liam replied in a low voice. “I was hoping for some advice.”
Rowe grunted and then turned a smile on the receptionist. “Marion, can you send my calls and meetings over to Andrei for the next two hours?”
“Sure. Would you like me to warn him ahead of time?”
Rowe scratched his chin, seeming to think about her question before he huffed a laugh. “Yeah, you better. Otherwise, he’s gonna stomp into my office and growl at me.”
The woman chuckled as she picked up the phone. “I think he’s doing less growling now that his little one is happy with her new nanny.”
Rowe smiled at the mention of the little girl. Liam had already been subjected to numerous pictures of Andrei’s daughter. And yes, she was absolutely precious. She clearly had her daddies wrapped about her little fingers.
“Come on. Let’s have a chat in my office.” Rowe waved for Liam to accompany him.
They left behind the sleek and quiet reception area for a large room that was mostly steel and concrete. There were training stations and sparring areas set up around the room. People moved quickly to and from different places. Rowe waved to several employees as they called out greetings, but Liam wished they’d just slide through the big area without being noticed. Not that he ever managed to get through any place without being noticed. He was far too big for that.
He recognized a few faces that he saw at Sven’s wedding and prayed they didn’t remember him.
“No one will say anything to Sven. Everyone knows clients—no matter who they are—deserve their privacy,” Rowe said as if reading his mind. He started up a set of stairs to a second floor that appeared to be mostly offices.
“But I’m not a client,” Liam murmured.
Rowe stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to look at Liam. They were nearly the same height, allowing Rowe to stare directly into his eyes with his little smirk. “You’re right. You’re family.”
Liam snorted. “We just met a week ago.”
“Yeah, but Sven is family. And he’s out of town right now. That means I’m watching out for his family while he’s gone, making you my family. And nobody hurts my family.”
Something unexpectedly warm expanded in his chest, and Liam smiled at the redhead. It was the same protective feeling he got for his brothers and sister. He understood and greatly appreciated Rowe’s words, but he didn’t want this man to go to any trouble.
“Like I said, I’m just hoping for some advice with my problem.”
Rowe grunted again, but Liam didn’t believe for a second that he was deterred from his more protective instincts. They continued to Rowe’s office without another word. It was only when they were alone with the door closed that Liam felt like he could breathe. No more prying eyes seeing his horrible bruises and cuts. No more curious stares and looks of sympathy. Or maybe it was pity.
“Would you like something to drink? Water? Or something stronger?” Rowe asked after directing Liam to the large leather couch against the wall.
“Water would be nice. Thank you.”
Rowe pulled two bottles of water from a mini fridge and handed one to Liam before he sat on the edge of his desk. “All right, what’s going on? Why does your handsome face look like someone’s been tap-dancing on it?”
Liam stared at the bottle clenched in both hands, the cold seeping into his body to chill him to the bone. Or maybe it was the memory of the attack. The feeling of helplessness that had the bile rising to the back of his throat. Liam had been in only a handful of fights in his lifetime, and he’d never been outnumbered like he had been yesterday.
“I promise, not a word to Sven. Though, I’m really hoping you’ll tell him. He’s a good friend, and I’d hate to keep this secret from him.”