Liam: An Eidolon Black Ops Novel, page 5
It was by no means necessary, but she hated the thought of a man she had come to care for thinking she was a brat. His words stung way more than they should, but she had to admit he was right; she had indeed acted as he had said, like a brat.
It didn’t mean that she would forgive him for the hurt he’d caused her. His words had been said to maim, and they had hit their mark. She would apologise for her part in this, but she would not let him off the hook for hurting her, and she would guard her feelings harder than ever before.
She sat up straighter at a knock on the door behind her, swiping at the wetness on her cheeks.
“Princess,” Liam called, his voice muffled by the thick door.
“Go away.” Taamira was proud that her voice sounded strong.
“Open the door, treacle.”
Taamira could tell from his voice that he was directly outside. She did not answer him, hoping he would leave so she could lick her wounds in peace.
“Please.”
She wanted to, but she would not let him see her this way, so exposed and raw. He had hurt her once today, she would not give him the chance to do it a second time.
A vibration thudded behind her back and she guessed he must have sat, too. The image of them either side of the door popped into her head, giving them a closeness yet still keeping that barrier of safety.
“I had a best friend,” he began, and she listened intently to his words, her body angled into the door, her palm touching the cool wood.
“His name was Ambrose. Best damn friend anyone could ever ask for. We went through school together, through basic training, and eventually, I followed him into the SAS. He said I was like an annoying younger brother. We were only a few months apart in age, but I guess I always looked up to him.”
Liam stopped, and Taamira held her breath, waiting for more, and he didn’t disappoint.
“When he left the military and joined Eidolon, I followed again. We were more than friends, we were brothers. He would’ve died for me, and I would have done the same for him. He met a girl, her name was Gail and they had a son Natai.”
Taamira could hear the smile of affection his voice when he said that name.
“Kid was the spitting image of his dad, and I was so honoured when they asked me to be his godfather. Then one day we got a job.”
Taamira could practically touch the pain and remorse flowing through the door it was so strong.
“Ambrose was on guard duty for a child and his mother, the people after her were sick pieces of work and we were their protection. I was twenty or so minutes late, and when I got there, Ambrose was on the ground with paramedics working on him.”
Taamira pulled in a shaky breath as she stroked her fingers along the wood, wishing it were Liam.
“They were attacked, and the kid’s mum taken. Ambrose was shot in the shoulder, nothing too serious, but as he went down, he hit his head on the stone steps. They did everything they could, pumped him with drugs and did untold procedures, but he never woke up, and four days later, my best friend took his last breath on this earth.”
A fresh tear slid down her cheek, but this time it wasn’t for her plight; it was for Liam and the grief she knew he still carried and probably always would.
“I lost my best friend, his girl, and my godson that day. Gail never forgave me for not being there, and honestly, I deserve it. But I can’t lose anyone else, treacle. I don’t think I have it in me to bury another person I give a shit about.”
Taamira stood and slowly opened the door. She looked down and saw Liam looking up at her. His face was awash with painful memories, and she realised at that moment that what separated them as people was not a title, or privilege, but experiences. He had been through his and was still fighting, yet she was allowing what happened to her and with her family to become the hill she would die on.
Chapter Seven
Liam looked up into the beautiful brown eyes of the woman he’d hurt with his nasty words, rimmed with black mascara that had run from the tears he’d made her cry. Pain hit him in the chest, and he rubbed at the spot wondering how he had sunk even lower than he had before. Watched as his words hit their mark, her face falling even as she tried her damndest to hold her composure together. He had let her run, even as he wanted to snatch back his words.
His fear and inadequacies had him lashing out with words that caused her harm, cutting her deep. Yet here she was, bending and going to her knee before she sat beside him. He knew fear was only part of the reason he’d lashed out. The other part was his attraction to her and the fact he couldn’t do a fucking thing about it.
Her position alone put them leagues apart, add in her spirit and her sweetness that she hid from almost everyone under a veil of tartness and haughtiness, and he knew she was too good for him.
“I’m sorry about your friend.”
The simple words meant more than they should, and Liam’s chest clenched in familiar pain at the reminder he’d never see his friend again. “Me, too.”
“He sounds like a great man. Will you tell me more about him sometime?”
Her question held genuine interest. It was a skill that seemed effortless from her, and she made people think they were her entire focus, that she cared about what they said be they a porter or a prince, she gave them all equal measure.
“Yes. One day I’ll tell you all about Ambrose. Would you like to see a picture of Natai?” He found himself asking her a question he’d never intended, opening up a level of sharing that went beyond that of guard and principle.
She nodded, and a smile came to her lips; lips he could hardly tear his eyes away from. “Yes, please.”
Liam leaned on one hip as he took his wallet from his back pocket and flipped it open before showing her the picture of Natai that Gail had sent him. It was the only contact he’d had with her since Ambrose was buried. Natai was looking at the camera, his wide grin infectious, eyes bright with mischief, on his first day at school.
Taamira took the image from him and looked at it with warmth in her eyes. “Oh, he is precious. Look at that smile, it could melt an iceberg.”
“Yeah, he lights up a room with his smile, always seemed to command a room even as a young child.” Liam spoke with pride he hadn’t earned for the boy he loved as if he was his own.
“You love him very much.”
Taamira said the words as a statement, not a question and Liam didn’t try to hide it.
“I do, yeah.”
“Do you get to see him often?”
Liam’s grin faltered at the question, and he shook his head. “No, since Ambrose it’s been tricky. Gail blames me, and she’s right,” he added quickly, not wanting Taamira to think wrong of the woman his friend had loved.
“She was hurting, but it is no excuse. I am coming to see that whatever pain we have does not trump the pain of another, and it is wrong to believe what we feel is more important.”
Liam stayed quiet, not knowing what to say to that. Was Gail’s pain worse than his own? Perhaps it was but then again, maybe not. They had all lost a great man, and he would turn in his grave to know they hadn’t stayed in each other’s lives, had not clung together but instead had allowed grief to rip them apart. Maybe when this was all over, it was time to clear the air and see if they could find a way forward.
They sat in silence for a few moments as Liam tried to find the words to explain his behaviour. He reached out and twined his fingers with hers. “I’m sorry I hurt you, treacle. It was uncalled for and callous, and I am profoundly sorry.”
Taamira nodded, not quite letting him off the hook but not pulling her hand away as he laid her palm against his much bigger, much rougher one.
He felt like an even bigger tool as he looked at their entwined hands, hers so soft and tiny in his. “I can’t excuse the way I acted, but it was fear. If something happened to you, it would hurt,” he finished lamely.
“Can I explain why I acted the way I did?” Taamira asked.
Liam tipped his head to her to go on.
“My brother was my hero. We would play hide and seek in the gardens, hide from our tutors, and sneak biscuits from the kitchen. Then one day, it all changed. He became my senior, he looked at me as not a little sister but as a woman to be cowed and ignored. He was never cruel or hurtful intentionally, but he became a man’s man. The men of my country do not value the women. They do not rape or hurt them physically, but neither do they value them for anything other than becoming mothers or keeping homes.”
She turned more fully to him, and he saw the light in her eyes as she spoke. “Do you know that less than five per cent of the women in my country have gone to university?”
“But you did,” Liam said, knowing she had indeed studied at Oxford.
“I did, but only because my mother fought for it with every breath. I don’t want my daughters or nieces to have to fight so hard for equality. I want them to be doctors and lawyers, to change the world however they see fit because they are bright, ambitious, driven. If they want to become wives and raise families, I support that too. I want them to have the choice and only by standing up and saying I am not afraid and helping them see that they matter, showing them an example to follow, can I do my small part.”
The passion in her eyes was like a fire raging, its heat growing in intensity with every word she spoke. Liam found himself hanging on her every word, entranced by her spirt and determination to show those women a better way of life if they wanted it.
“I see now that you weren’t a brat at all. I mistook your passion for childishness and for that, I’m sorry. If you wish to speak at the conference, then I fully support it and will be by your side the entire time, ensuring your safety.” Liam knew he had settled on the right decision when the joy moved over her features.
“Truly?” she asked as if she was a child given an hour alone in a toy shop.
He grinned and dipped his head. “Truly.”
“Oh, thank you.” Taamira squeezed his hand and shrugged her shoulders in excitement.
“My pleasure, Princess.”
He watched a frown mar her face then.
“What did I say?” he asked concerned.
She looked at him, shaking her head, the thick silk of her hair falling over her shoulder. “May I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“When you call me Princess, is it mockingly or is it with respect that you use it?”
Liam grinned then. “I say it with affection and respect.”
Her face brightened at his words. “And treacle?”
“That is with complete affection.”
“I like it when you call me treacle, but I also like it when you call me Princess as you do.”
“Maybe we can graduate to Taamira soon then,” he said, knocking her shoulder gently with his own.
“I’m not sure about that. Do you have a nickname I can call you now that we are somewhat friends?”
“My friends call me Liam or Pyro.”
“Pyro? But why?”
“I’m an explosive expert, Princess.”
“Ah, then Liam it is as I don’t like that other name.” She wrinkled her nose in a cute grimace, and it took everything in him not to lean in and kiss her.
“I like the sound of my name on your lips, Princess.” His voice had gone deep as he looked at her and thought of all the ways he wanted her saying his name, on her knees as she looked up at him, in the morning as he woke her with his mouth, in the dark of night as they shared a secret.
The mood seemed to shift, the hair on his nape lifting. There was so much sexual tension in the room, it practically buzzed. This woman had no idea what she did to him, no idea of the power she held or the sexuality she exuded, and that was why she was ten times more potent and a hundred times more off the table.
Liam leaned into her as if pulled by a force so much more powerful than he. She did the same, and it was as if an invisible line was pulling them together. Her breath feathered his face, he could almost taste the sweetness of her lips. Then a door slammed, and he heard Mitch and Waggs move inside the apartment.
“Saved by the bell,” he rasped before he stood and held out his hand to her.
The flush on her cheeks was the only indication that she’d felt the same as he did, and that made the bullet they’d just dodged so much more deadly.
Chapter Eight
It was two nights later when Taamira suggested they eat at the hotel restaurant instead of being confined to the suite. There was an excellent seafood establishment with one of the top chefs in the country at the Regent Grand. Liam had discussed it with Mitch and Waggs, and they’d all agreed it was probably safe to grant her request.
The mood between Liam and Taamira was one of ease since their fight the other night, she respected his judgement, and he was careful to understand her needs. The undercurrent of sexual tension, however, was causing his balls to go blue and the number of cold showers he was taking had increased to two a day.
The one thing troubling him though was his discussion with Derek. The man had been upfront and hugely apologetic about the breach in security under his command. Liam was usually a good judge of character, and regret was oozing from the man. He’d personally spoken to the others, and he’d managed to narrow it down to two men who were tweaking his senses.
He was going to ask Mitch and Waggs to speak to them and get their opinions, and then he’d decide on what action he’d take. Liam watched as the door opened to Taamira’s bedroom and she stepped out.
The woman was a fucking vision in a shimmery, cream coloured kaftan with olive green embroidery along the edge of the square neckline. He’d never thought a big swampy kaftan that hid all the beautiful curves on a woman would be sexy, but on her, it was. Fuck, who was he kidding, she could make a bin liner look hot as hell.
Her eyes met his, and she must have seen the appreciation in them because she dipped her head as a blush crept over her cheeks. Liam couldn’t hide the grin which spread across his face nor the desire that her innocence evoked in him. Taamira seemed to have no clue how breathtaking she was and that was so damn attractive.
He ambled towards her feeling like a poor relation even in a crisp white shirt, navy trousers, and a navy suit jacket. Her gaze rose to his, and he let her peruse him, loving the way her coral lips parted as she did.
“Are you ready to go, Princess?” Liam held out his arm for her to proceed him.
Taamira nodded and walked towards the door of the suite, where Mitch and Waggs were already waiting on the other side. Not one to take chances, they’d already checked out the restaurant and ground floor, and nothing seemed amiss.
With ear comms in place and a mic at his wrist, he let them know they were coming. “Venus is on the move.”
“Copy,” Mitch replied.
As Liam reached the door, he paused before he opened it. “You look stunning tonight, treacle.”
A smile of pure feminine pleasure moved across her face at his compliment. “You look very handsome too, Liam.”
Liam shot her a wink and then opened the door to find Mitch. Waggs was already at the elevator with the doors open waiting. They moved as a seamless unit, each taking up a position to protect the Princess but giving her enough space to breathe. Liam would prefer to be closer, perhaps too close but as they neared the ground floor where the restaurant was situated, he became antsy, wanting to turn around and take her back to the room, wrap her up until all threats had ceased. Except that would never be the case for a woman like Taamira. With her social status and the fact she was making waves amongst some in her society, there would likely always be something.
As the doors to the elevator opened, they moved towards the lobby, Liam scanned the area as he kept his hand on Taamira to guide her. Finding nothing of interest, they moved as one towards the restaurant entrance.
They were met by the hostess who offered a flirty smile to the three men only to be met by stern faces of professionalism. Dipping her head, she quickly led them to a table in the corner of the room. As requested, there were two tables on either side kept open to give the Princess space and privacy. It also allowed her guards to have easier access to her if an incident arose.
Taamira sat, and Liam pushed her chair in closer and stepped back. She looked up at him with a tilt of her perfect neck. “Will you join me?”
He was loath to turn her down. Something in her voice and the hesitation in which she asked showed her softer side and the vulnerability she hid from the rest of the world, but he was working, and his job was to keep her safe. She saw the pause and shook her head, embarrassment creeping up her skin in a pink tinge.
She waved him off. “It’s fine, don’t worry.”
Liam looked to Mitch for help, and his friend nodded letting him know they had this, and Liam blew out a breath, the pain in his chest easing as he sat and grinned at her. “And pass up the chance to share dinner with a beautiful woman? Not gonna happen, sweetheart.”
Her smile told him it was the correct decision.
“Can I get you anything to drink, Your Highness?” the hostess asked, now oozing professionalism as Taamira placed her napkin on her lap.
“Do you have any alcohol-free sweet cider?”
“We have an apple and pear cider that is lovely.”
Taamira nodded. “Perfect, thank you.”
The woman looked at Liam. “And for you, sir?”
“Just water, please.”
“Your waiter will be Miguel, here are your menus.” The woman laid them on the table in front of them and left.
Liam looked around, satisfied that Mitch and Waggs were covering their backs.
He glanced at Taamira. “Cider, treacle?”
She glanced up from her menu, her eyelids blinking slowly before she gave him a small tilt of her lips. “I tried it in London when I went to the wedding of Prince Luke and Princess Caroline. It’s extremely sweet and fruity and tastes like sunshine.”
He wanted to reach across the table and kiss as she wrinkled her nose in an adorable way.
