Lion places down his empty drink and pushes off the desk. “That will never happen.” His jaw tics and the amber in his eyes become a blazing fire.
I sigh, straightening and setting down my own glass. I stand in front of him and pull his forehead to mine. This man is as much my son as Malia is my daughter. Both hot-tempered and impulsive, but Lion is less reckless than Malia is.
He relaxes slightly and breathes out a deep breath. I cannot imagine the image that he pictures in his head is the same as my own, but I hope it serves its purpose.
“You know as well as I do that Malia will put herself in Martinez’s hands to save Liam. As much as I believe she would be able to handle him, I’m not willing to take that chance.” I release his neck and step back when he stiffens. “It’s not ideal in your situation, Lion, but I need you to understand where I’m coming from.”
Lion nods, crossing his arms against his chest. “I told her that I didn’t think you were doing any of this without reason. I learned honor from you.” His eyes meet mine. “I didn’t think you were doing it with ill intent.”
I dip my chin in appreciation. “You know what Malia means to me and I wouldn’t risk my relationship with her if it wasn’t important. She keeps pushing—”
“She thinks you’re disappointed in her. That you don’t think she’s good enough,” he adds.
“When did she tell you that?”
He shrugs. “A few days ago.”
Now knowing that my daughter thinks that I felt that way before I had muttered those words earlier to her breaks my heart. Whatever battle she was fighting internally about me, I only confirmed.
I need Martinez to make a mistake. A direction I can follow, so I can end this once and for all.
Before he costs me my empire and my daughter.
Nineteen
Malia
ONCEAGAIN,I’MLEFTfucked and confused as Liam walks away from me. This time I watch as his back disappears into the dark of the night. It’s freezing outside and I’m positive my dress is fucking ruined. My body is partly screaming in pain from scrapes and sated from sex.
Chills wrack my body as my adrenaline and high plummet back down to earth. My sore body shivers uncontrollably, but I can’t move. I play back remnants of our hate fuck and the memory of him having his gun in Caine’s mouth nearly has my pussy throbbing again. The need to find him so he can fuck me like that is overbearing and yet I can’t move.
Liam told me I was his and the malicious intent behind it only made it that more desirable. I don’t know which is better… being hated or loved by him.
“Fuck, Mal,” a familiar voice hisses.
Oren squats in front of me, his face tight with worry and anger. He pulls my body into his arms and stands.
“He might see you,” I say through chattering teeth, nuzzling my face into his warm chest.
Oren snorts. “If I’m going to keep finding you in positions like this after you fuck him, then we need to teach you celibacy.” There’s amusement in his voice and if I had the energy to hit the fucker I would, so I settle for a chuckle.
He sighs as he starts to carry me through the dark to the opposite side of the house, most likely taking the least crowded route. My grandfather had this mansion built with so many hidden hallways in the walls you’d think he was paranoid. When you live a life building more enemies than allies, I suppose it’s not a stupid thought.
Too bad all his hideouts and secret passages didn’t save him from his untimely death—I’d have loved to do it myself. Hunt him in the unknown corners of the house.
Only few know of them, Oren is one.
“He left,” Oren adds after a few silent moments. “He won’t see anything.”
I don’t respond, I stay in his arms and allow him to carry me as I try settle my thoughts. Oren has never let me down and I know I’m safe with him.
“What the fuck?” I hear the booming growl as Oren weaves through the main part of the house. We were almost to the wing that had my bedroom when Lion’s voice nearly shook the walls.
Oren stops and turns as footsteps clatter on the ground, and I’m moved from one set of large arms to another. I can feel Lion shaking from anger, nearly as much as I am from the cold.
“I’m fine, just cold,” I say, leaning my head back so I could look at him.
Fire burns in his amber depths, jaw set at alarming pressure. There’s equal parts worry, and fury etched in his thick brows. I smile and he scoffs.