by India Kells
“I did nothing but pray for you and hope my plea was answered.”
In a very gentleman-like manner, he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You may not know this, but Lazarus isn’t the name I was given at birth. It’s the name I’ve chosen for myself. I came back to life back then, and I was given yet another chance today.”
Emotions filled her heart, but she had more urgent matters to discuss. “I wanted to talk to Liam and you about something I’ve found in the accounts and the money under your name.”
Lazarus nodded. “Yes, Liam told me about your findings, and how it led you to save Lucas. I can’t thank you enough, but maybe not as much as Zoe and Archer.”
There was no way she wanted to think about that particular episode at that time. “Yes, but I’ve been working at untangling that mess, and I noticed something. However, I can’t dig deeper. I reviewed the accounts that were linked to you, and it’s obvious that the money funding them is more than questionable.”
The brothers looked at each other, but it was Liam who spoke first. “How questionable?”
“The holy grail so to speak. If given to the right person, it may interest the authorities.”
It astonished her how Lazarus seemed unconcerned by it all. “Anything linking Finch to all this?”
“I’d be more concerned about how it impacts you, Lazarus. Because I know you, all of you, I filter that information differently, but anybody else will see you as squandering money, and not a small amount.”
“How much have you found?” Sam came closer, his eyes darkening.
“A billion. A mix of public and private money.”
Lazarus whistled and Liam cursed in echo. “Fuck, Oz! That’s not something small. Angel, where is it coming from? Do you have an idea yet?”
It warmed her heart that he referred to the nickname he’d given her. “With the data and the access I have, it seems like legitimate sources, but that’s where it doesn’t click in my mind.”
“Why is that?”
“Nobody in this day and age could move that amount of money without raising suspicion.”
Lazarus angled his head, considering her words. “You think they’re false? A decoy of some kind?”
“Unless I can further track where the money is possibly coming from, I’m stuck where I’m at with no way to confirm where it’s coming from or who planted it there. And that’s only if they were stupid enough to leave any clues. If they were thorough, it might take a miracle to untangle this mess and prove your innocence. If I turned this information in, you’d have the FBI knocking at your door in less than a minute.”
Lazarus grinned, and Catriona wondered if he was back to normal. “It’s serious, Lazarus. You could go to jail for the rest of your life.”
His amusement turned into steely resolve. “I take what my monster of a father does very seriously, Catriona. I’m past threats of jail. If I have to give my life to make sure he no longer walks this earth and threatens my family, I’ll do it gladly.”
Emotion prevented her from speaking, and she turned to Sam for support, but she only saw the same hardness in the brother. Her heart clenched when her eyes locked with Liam, who harbored the same expression. His eyes glinted like steel, and Catriona almost swayed at the implication. All three of them accepted the possibility of sacrificing themselves to make sure that the others would be forever safe.
Catriona knew she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t protect the brothers from that folly, if she didn’t bring Finch down herself and made sure the brothers, and Liam, were safe.
“I’m not considering that scenario. Don’t ask me that. Not while we have more data to uncover. I need someone who can continue my research, dig as much as possible without raising any flags. We don’t know who’s watching the accounts.”
Lazarus nodded. “I agree. I’d rather avoid any collateral damage that could come our way. I know someone who could help. ‘Could’ being the operative the word. The guy can be volatile. It depends on which side of the bed he woke up on this morning.”
“Is he a good man?” Lazarus blinked, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Liam smile so she continued before he could say a word. “I believe that a good man will help.”
Lazarus looked at Liam with admiration before returning to her. “I think that if anybody could convince him to help, it would be you. I’ll give him a call and ask if he’d listen to you. I think that you’d be in a better position, between geeks, to explain what you need from him. I’ll call him and let you know. Cross your fingers that he answers and is willing to help us.”
It was precisely what she hoped for from Lazarus, help to uncover where the money was coming from. Deep down, she knew that once she solved that mystery, she’d know where to hit and close the money flow for Finch, once and for all.
Lazarus leaned back on his bed, and Catriona turned away, a bit in a daze, just grateful that she’d pushed back the brothers’ extreme plans, especially Liam.
Not that she didn’t care about Lazarus and Sam, but the idea of Liam’s life on the line, even for a noble cause, messed with her heart, poisoning it with rising panic.
Apart from prayer, the only thing she knew that would give her any resemblance of peace was work. Breathless, she rushed back to her office, closed the door, and sat back behind the screen.
Deep breaths helped, and as soon as her eyes fixed on the endless rows of numbers, she relaxed. Maybe there was something she’d been missing, even if that possibility were only a wish.
As her brain checked the data once more, her lips were mumbling an endless prayer.
Her eyes burned, and the more options she dismissed, the more Lazarus’ friend became the only possible path.
Naturally, her hands came together, and she bowed her head. While her words sent a desperate request, her heart went to Liam. Whatever the Heavens sent her way, all she wanted was for Liam to live and for her to be strong enough to keep him safe.
Chapter Twenty-One
Liam slid into the office as silently as possible, and worry made him lurch forward when he saw Catriona, her face in her hands behind the computer. It was the very first time since he’d met her, that he’d seen her as anything other than positive.
“Angel?”
Shivering in surprise, she rubbed her eyes before looking up and smiling, but this time, there was a shadow in her light. “Has Lazarus called his contact yet?”
“Left a message. Should hear from him soon. What’s going on?”
“Just double-checking, maybe I missed something.”
Liam doubted it was what put her in that state. “If the only way to cut off Finch is finding the money source, or lack of, through those fake accounts, I’m sure you’re right.”
“But I could be wrong, looking at the data wrong.” And as if to prove a point, her hands returned to the keyboard, eyes fixed to what was in front of her with the same focus he knew her to have.
Going to her, Liam put a hand on her shoulder until her fingers ceased to move, and she finally turned to him. “You don’t have to worry. I’m sure your hunch is good and that contacting the hacker is the right thing to do.”
Her eyes looked bleak. “We can’t be certain of anything. That’s why I need to find another possibility, another crack in that case that will allow us another option is the first one fails.”
Catriona was about to turn back to her computer, but Liam took her hands. “A second option is always good, but I doubt it’s there. You’re great at what you do. How many times have you doubted yourself like this?”
“Never.”
“So, what’s different here?”
“You. I saw your expression, and those of your brothers when the possibility of confronting Finch, even sacrificing your life, was brought up. You’re ready to give up your freedom, your entire life if it comes to that, if it’s the only way to stop Finch.”
She pulled at her hands, but he couldn’t let her go and instead pulled her t
o her feet. “It’s always been a possibility. From the beginning, all of us, my brothers and I, knew that Finch posed not only a treat to us, but to those around us, to society. We suffered at his hand and knew what it could mean to the people we love.”
Saying the words, Liam wanted to weep for the first time in his life. It was improbable, and impossible, but in a short time, he’d fallen desperately in love with Catriona Walsh. And the cruelest part was, as much as he wanted to tell her, he had to let her go. Most probably, after all this, she’d return to her old life, to the one she knew and loved, and he wouldn’t be the one to hold her back. She was destined to be a nun, and he wouldn’t deprive the world of her goodness.
“I can’t accept it, Liam. I can’t stand by and let you risk your life.”
He rubbed her knuckles, trying to warm up her cold fingers. “We all have a role, a duty in life. I always wanted to be a cop, it was probably to atone for the sins of my father, to lessen the evil in him with justice. I’ll always be a true bastard, but I can change things with my actions.”
This time, it was her turn to grip his hands. “You’re telling me that you’re a true bastard, but in you, I see so much more. You’re a man of honor and justice, dedicated to your family. You’re willing to abandon so much so that others are protected and safe. In my eyes, that makes you so much more than a bastard, but a true brother and man.”
His heart swelled at her praise, but the compliment was bittersweet. Liam caressed her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. “I believe we all have a role to play in this. I’m convinced God sent you to us so that we can end this. I believe you’re the angel who protected my family, and for that I’m forever grateful. When you go back to your life, when you help other people, never forget that you can make a difference in people’s lives and that’s the calling of the angel you are.”
Her mouth opened, and resistance to her was futile. He leaned down and took her mouth, as softly as he could, as tenderly as it was humanly possible, to convey all he felt for her, now and, he knew, for the rest of his life.
When her mouth opened to him, tenderness was swept away with a fresh wave of lust and, by the way his little nun was running her fingers over his chest, he wasn’t the only one suffering.
She was right, the future appeared more fraught with danger than before, but one thing Liam was certain of, he wouldn’t allow anything to happen to Catriona. If he disappeared, nobody would notice, but if this angel of his vanished, the world would never be the same.
His hands slid under her sweater, and he reveled in her moan of approval. A smile made him break their kiss. “I should feel guilty for dragging you into sin with me, but I can’t repent.”
He breathed in her gasp when his hands teased her nipples through her bra. He didn’t wait for her assent before pulling her sweater up and threw it against the wall. The pale white of her bra against the creamy freckled skin was more erotic to him than any lacy undergarment.
His mouth followed the constellation of freckles over her skin, from her collarbones down to the swell of her breasts, nipping and licking until he reacted the delicate barrier. “So soft, so pure, and yet, all I want you to do is sin. Angel, I’m making you fall with me, and I can’t help it.”
Liam continued his descent, reveling in the softness of her belly, the scent of her skin, making sure to lightly scratch and tease her, eliciting the most beautiful sounds from her lips.
Her fingers dug into his hair, pulling lightly before releasing, as she didn’t want to hurt him. He was working on her pants, pushing them to her ankles before she could deny him. But he knew she would not. Half sitting on the office desk, naked now apart from her bra, her skin had the rosy flush of arousal, an inviting temptation, even more so when, with trembling fingers, she unclasped the final piece of clothing covering her, and let it fall to the floor.
Even if her beauty was undeniable, it was the innocence and acceptance he saw in her eyes that made him fall to his knees.
His hands on her knees, he restrained himself from ravaging her and did what he’d never done before and begged. “Why can’t I resist you, angel?” He kissed her ankle. “I shouldn’t have corrupted you.”
Soft laughter dragged his attention up. “You’re not the devil, Liam. And I was the one who gave you an ultimatum. You’re only human, same as me, flesh and blood.”
This time, he was the one amused until her thighs trembled open. It was too late for his soul and conscience. Liam positioned himself, pushing on her knees until his shoulders prevented them from closing again.
“Now tell me what I’m about to do isn’t a sin, angel.”
His tongue darted out, parting her folds until it hitched against her clit. Precariously close to falling, Liam hooked his arms around her thighs as her back arched. He tortured her, and himself a while longer, until he could taste her sweet nectar in his lips. If he’d had more time, he’d make endless love to her, until they couldn’t move, but their time together was running out.
Beyond pleasure, deep inside his soul, Liam sought possession even just for an instant, as there was no doubt that, at that moment, Catriona owned his heart, now and forever.
As he felt her clench, on the verge of orgasm, he abandoned her and stood, unfastening his jeans with uncommon speed. He’d barely freed his erection, when Catriona stunned him by taking him in hand and gently pulling him to her. “Careful, angel. You’re playing with hell’s fire.”
Quickly, her hand fisted in his hair, bringing his face close. “Too late, Liam. I already burn.”
He kissed her as he slowly pushed inside her welcoming body. Tight and slick, Liam wanted to experience this feeling for the rest of his life with her but pushed the annoying thought away. Instead, he let himself enjoy what she was willingly offering, enjoying her inexperience, her hesitation, and the pure emotions on display. Innocence that never wore a mask or pretended to be something it wasn’t. To him, she told the truth and laid herself bare, coaxing him to do the same, to accept himself, and have hope when there was none.
He’d forgotten how to pray, but now, in her arms, lost in the throes of passion, he wanted to shout to God to allow her to stay, to find what she was searching for in him. He vowed to take care of her, to cherish her if she allowed it, but also to respect her wishes if she didn’t remain in his life.
His hands coursed over her body, memorizing every subtle and beautiful curve, worshiping her as much as he could, staving off the end, both for herself and him. Keeping her on edge was the only agony he’d ever cause her, as it was the only way to keep her in his arms just a little longer. If a single second more was all he could have, Liam would walk through fire to seize it.
However, his body was fallible, and when Catriona bowed in his arms, spasms clenching at him harder than ever, his orgasm pursued hers, reaching for her light as they were now alone in their universe.
Head buried in her neck, her hair enveloping his head like a veil, his heart fought the return to reality. Over and over again, in the depths of his soul, he repeated how much he loved her, to the point where his eyes burned with unshed tears, and he would’ve remained precisely like that until his body disintegrated, but his cell phone beeped, making him crash back to reality.
Gently, Liam pushed back Catriona’s hair, admiring her face still dazed with pleasure before disengaging from her and reaching for his pants. Just before he looked at the message, he admired his angel one last time in the midst of sin.
“What does it say?” Catriona was clutching her clothing against her chest and padded to him.
All the warmth that had filled his chest evaporated, replaced with the usual cold. “It’s from Lazarus. He’s heard from his contact. We’re leaving for Chicago tonight.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“This is the worst idea ever.” It was the third time Sam had said that particular sentence since they’d left the manor, and each time he uttered the words, they seemed a little worse.
Catriona sat in the bac
k, with Liam in the front passenger side, and Sam driving. Both men looked like marble statues.
In front of them, over the horizon was Chicago’s skyline. The three of them had left well into the night and took the same route back, but this time, they put the car on the boat. Archer ordered it as the plates couldn’t be traced electronically. The rest of the family had remained behind. Lazarus was not ready to travel, and everybody agreed that the mansion was the most secure place for the time being.
However, Cary and Ted were far from happy at her leaving. Ted didn’t say a word, but his eyes filled with tears. Cary expressed his disapproval with a monumental tantrum. He’d yelled and hit everything around him until he fled into Lucas’ room, followed by Ted. Chewy remained with the kids, and that appeared to calm the boys a little.
Lucas and Zoe had promised to keep an eye on them until they returned, but Catriona felt as if she were abandoning them.
The trip couldn’t be helped. Lazarus’ friend, the hacker so to speak, had agreed to help but would only do so if she came to Chicago, saying that his equipment was better and more secure at his location.
Catriona agreed to his demand, much to Liam’s disapproval. However, the cop in him couldn’t find any reason not to go, and Sam had his coat on the moment the decision was taken, although, as he repeated many times, he far from liked the idea.
Archer had made the arrangements, and also booked accommodations for them if they decided to stay the night, making sure none of their names appeared anywhere. The less Finch and his men knew about where they were, or if they were still in Chicago, the better.
Without a stop, they drove directly to the Loop, just as the city was waking up. Now that Christmas was over, the streets would be packed with shoppers, but for now, still early, everything seemed eerily calm.
Sam turned on another street before entering between a cluster of buildings. Catriona saw a blue logo and read it when it appeared on another building.