“Soon.”
The call ends, and I drop the device on the desk before I’m tempted to crush it. Standing up, I turn to look out of the window in the direction of the penthouse, several blocks away.
I’m going to fucking kill him. Slowly.
Turning around, I pick up the phone again and dial Will’s number.
“I’m downstairs,” he answers.
“Stop flirting with Denise. Finn called. He’s still using his phone. See if you can track the fucking thing before he disables it again.”
“On it.”
As soon as I end the call, I dial Viktor’s number.
“Liam?” he answers.
“I’m going to kill you,” I hear a woman shout in the background.
Frowning, I ask, “Is that Rosalie?” When we helped Nikolas take down the head of the Sicilian mafia, Viktor took the man’s granddaughter.
Honestly, I forgot about it.
“Yes, turns out the little rose has thorns,” he mutters. I hear him move and shut a door behind him. “Need something?”
“I’m sending you Finn’s phone number. He’s still using it.”
“That will help find the fucker.”
“Thanks.”
Ending the call, I only wonder about what Viktor’s going to do with Rosalie for a moment before my thoughts turn to Kiara.
Having her in my space has been nothing short of heavenly. It’s mindblowing how quickly my feelings for her have grown.
I will have to be straight with her and make it clear she belongs to me. I’m never letting her go.
God only knows how she’s going to handle it.
Chapter 29
Kiara
All the relaxed atmosphere left with Liam.
“Would you like some coffee?” I offer Declan, highly aware of the credit card in my hand.
“Please.” He walks around the living area as if he’s searching for a threat.
I go to the kitchen and quickly take the last sip of my beverage. The memory of Liam having some of my coffee makes the corner of my mouth lift.
And he gave you his credit card.
I look down at it.
Liam’s treating me as if we’re a couple.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach, the sensation a breath of fresh wind after the loss and trauma. Instantly the butterflies vanish, and the guilt and grief come back in full force.
It’s eating away at me that Dad died because of me. If I had listened to him, he’d still be alive.
Declan comes to stand next to me, and when he starts preparing the coffee, I whisper, “Sorry.”
“I’ve got it.”
I begin to walk away so I can go upstairs and put the credit card in a safe place when Declan says, “It gets better with time.”
Does it?
I glance at him from over my shoulder.
He doesn’t look at me but continues to stir the coffee. “I lost my parents when I was nine, before comin’ to Chicago. Jimmy took me under his wing. Practically raised me.”
I turn around. “You were close with my dad?”
Declan nods. “Kinda know how you feel right now.”
The uneasiness I feel being alone with him fades a little.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Lost a dad, gained a sister.” He takes a sip of his coffee, then locks eyes with me. “I’m tellin’ you this so you’ll relax around me. Would make my job easier if we got along.”
I nod. “Okay.” I gesture to the stairs. “I’m just going to put the credit card away.”
“You don’t need to report everythin’ you’re goin’ to do. I’ll just shadow you.”
Nodding, I head upstairs to the guest room where my belongings are. At some point, I have to go home. It’s almost been two weeks. I can’t stay here indefinitely.
Even if I’d like to.
Opening my handbag, I take my wallet out and place the card in it. I sit down on the bed and decide to check my phone for messages.
There’s one from Mom.
Let me know how you’re doing.
Pressing dial on her number, I listen to the ringtone.
“Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling today?”
“Better.” I glance around the room that’s decorated in dark gray and white. “Liam’s really good to me.”
“Are you still staying at his home?”
“Yeah, but not for much longer. I have to go home at some point.”
“You really think that man will let you go back to your apartment after he moved me out of mine?”
Shit. Good point.
My eyebrow lifts as I consider this. “Maybe he’ll move me to where you are? I have no idea. We haven’t talked about it yet.” Wanting to set Mom at ease, I add, “He’s doing what’s best for us.”
“It’s not that I’m ungrateful, sweetheart. It’s just, your father put the fear of God in me before you were born, and with all the secrecy over the years… I’m just scared the mafia will end up killing us.”
“I understand,” I murmur. “But Liam won’t let that happen.” I let out a deep breath, then admit, “I trust him, Mom.”
“As long as you’re safe, sweetheart. You’re all I have.”
“You won’t lose me. I’m made of tough stuff,” I joke.