I plow into his chest, then his mouth is hot on mine. The kiss is downright possessive, and when he finally lets me breathe, he smirks, “You too, baby.”
With flushed cheeks, I walk into the lobby. Denise is watching me with raised eyebrows.
“Morning, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Gillen,” she greets Liam and Will, and as soon as they head for the elevators, she widens her eyes even more at me. “Someone has a lot to tell me.” Her eyes snap to Declan. “Can we help you, sir?”
“He’s with me. Declan. Denise,” I quickly introduce them. “Where can I get an extra chair for him.”
“I won’t be sittin’.” He moves to the wall, where he’ll have a clear view of the lobby and outside.
“He’s with you?” Denise asks.
Taking out my phone, I place my bag in the bottom drawer. I sit down, then reply. “Yeah, he’s one of my guards.”
Denise just blinks at me.
“So, a lot has happened,” I start, which has her nodding. “A little over a week ago, Finn attacked me, but he got away. Liam arranged guards to protect me until Finn is found,” I give her the short version.
Denise gapes at me. “Holy crap on a cracker, woman. When exactly did this happen?”
“The Friday of the board meeting.”
“I’m so sorry,” she breathes. “Are you okay?”
I nod, my lips curving up. “Thanks to Liam.”
“So you and Mr.-Don’t-touch-me?”
I let out a chuckle, my cheeks flushing. “Kinda happened fast. My head’s still spinning.”
“I’d say so. I’m still trying to get Will to take me to dinner,” she mutters, then her eyes widen. “I forgot to ask him how he’s holding up. He lost a good friend.”
Right. Will had to cancel their date.
The pang of grief hits, and I let the wave move through me. “It was my dad. He had a heart attack the Saturday after the assault. The funeral was this past Monday.”
Denise’s face fills with shock and compassion, then she pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, Kiara. Shit, you’ve had a crazy week.” Letting go, she asks, “Is there anything I can do?”
I shake my head. “Liam’s taken care of everything.”
“So, you’re a couple?” she asks.
“Yeah.” The smile returns to my face.
I’m dating Liam Byrne.
The internal line rings, and taking the call, I say, “Kiara speaking.”
“It’s Gina from HR. Please come up.”
“Okay.” Ending the call, I frown at Denise as I get up. “I have to go to HR.”
“Probably to sign a form for the days you were absent.”
“Right.” When I walk to the elevator, it opens, and Will comes out.
“Where are the two of you heading?”
Two?
I glance over my shoulder and see Declan right behind me. Turning my attention back to Will, I answer, “Up to HR.”
Stepping into the small space, I glance at Declan again.
“You can relax, Kiara. Pretend I’m not here.”
Giving Declan a smile, I ask, “How long have you worked for Liam?”
“Since I turned sixteen.”
“How old are you now?”
“Thirty-one.” Declan looks at me when the doors slide open, reminding me, “Your father trained me, so I’m more than capable of protectin’ you.” He waits for me to exit, then follows after me.
When we walk into Gina’s office, she smiles at us. “Before I forget, Liam wants Declan to have an access card. No restrictions.”
“You know each other?” I ask, gesturing between her and Declan.
“Yes,” Gina answers. “I’m aware of Liam’s other business.”
Okay. Who else knows?
Pointing at a form, she says, “Just sign here for me. I’m sorry for your loss. Jimmy was your father?”
I nod, and picking up a pen, I check to make sure the form is for the days I took off before scribbling my signature on the line.
Gina gives me a sympathetic smile as she takes the signed document. “That will be all.”
Walking back toward the elevator, I ask Declan, “Will you be okay standing the entire day?”
He nods. “Just pretend I’m not there.”
I shake my head, having no intention of doing that. “Seeing as you’ll be glued to my side, I’d rather get to know you. Maybe we can even become friends.”
I really want to get along with my guards.
The corner of his mouth lifts as he waits for me to walk into the elevator. “I’d like that.”
Chapter 35
Liam
Not wanting to leave Kiara in Chicago, I brought her with me to LA for the meeting with the Priesthood.
The men were kind enough to postpone the meeting by a week, so I could deal with Jimmy’s funeral.
With Declan and his team guarding Kiara at the hotel we’ll spend the night, I head to the high-end bar where the Priesthood always meets.
Entering the private room reserved for us, the scent of leather and power fills the air. These meetings are primarily for us all to touch base.
The other heads are already seated around the table, and sitting down, I say, “Sorry, I’m late. I had to drop Kiara off at the hotel.”