16
Liam swallowed hard and paused with his fingers around the door handle to the Shields’ headquarters.
“If you can charge into a cave full of criminals who want to kill you, you can talk about your feelings with one adorable, extra-redheaded woman,” Ace teased.
“I’d much rather go fight some more bad guys.” Liam yanked the door open. “At least I don’t have to worry about fucking them up. I mean, that’s kind of the point.”
“You’re going to do fine. Be honest and trust that she can handle herself. Same as I can.” Ace shoved Liam toward the command center and the woman who would almost certainly be waiting within. The impact wasn’t insubstantial.
“Glad to see your arm is doing okay,” Liam groused.
“You heard Kennedy.” Ace repeated himself for the four-thousandth time, as if neither of them could believe how lucky he’d been. “The impact only seems to have bruised the flesh against the internal hardware. I’ll go for the follow up scans and shit she wants tomorrow. But it doesn’t hurt near as bad as it has in the past. It’s good enough for tonight.”
Liam sighed his relief at that. But it was short-lived because the instant he saw Ruby still hammering away at her supercomputer he tensed again.
“Welcome home,” she said, without turning to face them. “One second, I almost have this fully executed. Just confirming. Yes, the blockchain is restored to its original state. The digital wallet balances, including my own, are correct, and I’ve released the preventative anti-virus protocols to every financial institution that funded Jordan’s infosec operation. They approved the full bonus to keep Albert’s involvement as hushed as the rest.”
“Great work, kid.” JRad held out his fist and Ruby bumped it, a massive grin illuminating her features.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yeah, you could have, but I’m glad I was able to help.” JRad looked from her to Liam and Ace. His meaning wasn’t lost on any of them. Without his advice, they might never have taken their relationship beyond the friend zone.
“Jordan, can I talk to these two in private?” Liam asked their boss since they hadn’t yet held a proper debrief.
“Only if bytalk,you meanfuck,” Ruby mumbled under her breath, reminding him of the day she’d blasted through his initial resistance. From next to her, James snorted.
“Yeah. Go ahead.” Jordan appraised them before saying, “I think everything urgent is wrapped for now. Let’s reconvene at eight tomorrow morning when the cleanup crew is back too.”
“Thanks, boss.” Ruby sighed and stretched as she rose. Her face was pale and there were circles under her eyes he’d never seen before this week. Was he really good for her?
“You look so tired.” Liam brushed his thumb over her cheek. “We don’t have to do this now.”
“Yes, we do,” both Ruby and Ace said in unison. They each took one of Liam’s hands and dragged him through the lobby.
This time Liam didn’t hesitate. Before the doors of the elevator had fully slid shut, he pressed Ruby up against the wall of the car and kissed her until the world spun around them.
From the hallway, Tavish and Legend’s whistles and catcalls cheered them on. Ruby put one hand out, fishing for Ace, who came near and nudged Liam aside. He took Liam’s place, kissing Ruby with every bit as much passion if slightly less desperation.
Liam led the way to their apartment. He was hoping it might be Ruby’s home now too, if he hadn’t fucked up one time too many. Once inside he didn’t pause in the living room but instead took them straight to his bedroom, where he intended to keep them as often as possible.
He flicked on his bedside lamp then he turned to face them. “I’m sorry I freaked out before we left, Ruby. It was a shock and everything that keeps me up at night and—”
“I get it. I do.” She hugged him tight. “You see firsthand how horribly things can go in life sometimes. I didn’t mean to scare you like that. But if I can tolerate you and Ace going out in the field, you’re going to have to figure out how to deal with the fact that life is never certain so we can at least make the most of whatever time we have together.”
“I always said she was way smarter than us.” Ace beamed at her.
“You’re right. I know you are. But you might have to remind me often that we’re here and alive and together.” Liam scrunched his eyes shut. “It’s me who has the issue. Not you two. On the flight back I asked Kennedy to schedule me some time with the team therapist. I want to work on this so it doesn’t impact you two anymore. You’re capable and so strong and…incredible.”
“Did you see how Ace nailed those dirtbags earlier?” Ruby stared at him with adoration.
“I did. Had a front-row seat.” Liam nodded. “It was magnificent.”
Ruby turned to Ace and petted his chest. “It turned me on to see you so sure of yourself again. I’m probably not supposed to admit that, but…there you go.”
“Fortunately, I have no doubt I can fix that condition for you.” Ace stole another kiss from her, this one longer and more languid than the peck he’d given her in the elevator.
Liam cleared his throat. “There’s one more thing I want to say before we lose our clothes and I forget how to form full sentences.”