by Trisha Grace
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t know.” She jerked her head up. “What if he already did?” She covered her mouth with her hand and struggled to take in her next breath.
“Breathe.”
She closed her eyes. “Oh, my God.”
Liam held her shoulders. “Helena, look at me.”
She brushed tears from her cheeks. She needed to pull herself together and find a way to fix this.
Liam groaned and brushed his thumb across her cheekbone. “Don’t cry.”
She sniffed. “I’m trying to stop.”
Liam’s arms went around her again. “I’ll handle it, okay?”
It was strange to have those words spoken to her. She was usually the one saying that.
He sighed when she looked up at him. “Please stop crying.”
“I’m sorry.” She stepped back from him. “I’m usually not like this.” She squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “I just …”
“It’s okay. As I said, I’ll handle it.”
“I know you’re probably running out of patience with me, but how are you going to handle it?”
He tipped his head back slightly while his chest—his naked chest—rose.
“I should get you a towel.” She ran over to the brown Amazon bag and pulled out a towel.
“I could write a program to scan websites for videos with your face.”
“You can do that?” She was so surprised that her hands—about to drape the towel over Liam—froze in midair. “But there are so many websites.”
“The program can run by itself on a remote desktop. We can run the program across thousands of remote desktops on virtual servers. It will take time, but we’ll be able to find the videos—if any have been posted.”
She didn’t understand half of what he was saying, but she understood the gist of it—he would find the videos for her. “Really?” She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you. Thank you, Liam.” She grinned and stepped back.
Liam’s arms were raised, as if he was about to hug her back.
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop doing that. I …”
“It’s okay.”
She handed him the towel, though he was already dry.
Liam took the towel from her and returned to the chair in front of her desk. Instead of draping it around himself, he just dropped it on his lap.
“Thank you, Liam. I mean it, and I’m sorry for freaking out about this and about you running a search on me.”
He started up some program on her laptop and typed something on the keyboard. The screen was now black and white. Line after line of words appeared, and he typed in line after line of words and commands. “I won’t do it again since you don’t like it.”
She leaned against the desk. “You could just ask me.”
His fingers stopped moving. “What if it’s something you don’t want to tell me?”
“Then I’ll tell you that I don’t want to tell you, and you can let it be.”
He nodded slowly, as if he wasn’t quite sure if he could accept that.
“What do you mean you find out things from the Internet and that’s how you live?”
“I mean exactly that.”
She didn’t understand. “Why do you stay here?” She shifted and perched herself on top of the desk. “You seem to have some skills. You could find a job. You could leave.”
“I have a job.”
“You do?”
“You don’t have to sound so surprised.”
“It’s just that all the Eolenfeld I know don’t.”
“I’m not an Eolenfeld.”
“Okay,” she said. “Then why don’t you leave?”
He shrugged. “I just never thought about it.”
Her lips curled back in amusement. “Just never thought about it?” She laughed softly, then stopped and licked her lips. I find out things through the Internet. That’s how I live. “Have you ever left this mansion?”
Liam ignored her and continued working on whatever he was doing.
“Liam.”
“No.”
Helena gasped. “You’ve been stuck in here for … how long?”
“Since I was seven.”
“Why, Liam?”
“I didn’t have the option to leave as a child.”
“You’re not a child anymore.”
“I know.”
She licked her lips. “Isn’t there something you’d like to see? A place you’d like to be? In real life, not through your computer screen.”
He shook his head.
“Seriously?”
“And you?”
“Hmm …” She drew a deep breath through her nose.
“You haven’t thought about it?”
She laughed softly. “I guess I …” She paused when she thought she heard something crack.
“Maybe you—”
She screamed as the wooden desk under her gave way. She felt herself drop, but she didn’t hit the floor. She stopped screaming when she found Liam holding her in his arms. “I think the desk’s telling me I need to lose weight.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The things in this house are crumbling.”
“Yet you still remain here.” She gasped. “My dinner! And my laptop.”
He turned and walked over to the bed. “Why did you order your own dinner?” He set her down on the mattress. “You don’t like what Kelly cooked? You can just tell her what you prefer.”
She licked her lips and shrugged it off.
Liam’s brows drew together. “Did she make anything for you?” He picked up her laptop from the floor. “Your dinner didn’t get on it. I’ll get Kelly to clean up.”
“It’s all right. I can do it.”
He handed the laptop to her. “Did Kelly make dinner for you?” His gaze flickered to the mattress, and he frowned.
“I didn’t tell her to.”
“You didn’t have to. You’re staying here. You’re my guest.”
“Technically, I’m—”
Liam extended his hand and pulled Helena off the bed when she put her hand into his. “You’re my guest.”
“Okay. Okay.”
“I’ll talk to her,” he said.
“No. Liam, don’t.”
“You need a new mattress.”
“Don’t talk to Kelly,” she repeated.
“Why?”
She pursed and released her lips. “Because you don’t talk …”
“Then what am I doing now?”
“You’re doing okay.”
“I didn’t ask how I’m doing.”
“That should’ve been your question.”
He hooked his hand around her waist and dragged her closer as he leaned over her. “You’re a very difficult person.”
She would have retorted, but she couldn’t. Not when her heart was racing so fast. “Stop trying to intimidate me with your stares. They’re not working.”
His eyes narrowed, and she stuck her tongue out at him.
She forced herself to look away from Liam’s eyes, only for her gaze to land on his torso. She sighed softly when she noticed the scars again. “I’m going to kill whoever did this to you.”
“You’d kill someone for me?”
Helena blinked. “Who did it?” She ran the tip of her index finger across one of his scars. “Was it Bobby? Does Mr. Eolenfeld know? I’ll tell him and ask him to cut Bobby out of his will.”
“I doubt the old man will listen to you.”
“I can still try.” She skimmed across another scar. “Did you tell anyone?”
“What would be the point? He’s Master Eolenfeld.”
She gave him a thin-lipped smile.
“Don’t say you’re sorry. I don’t want to hear that from you anymore.”
She really should stop touching him. “Do they still hurt?” She shook her head at her stupid question. Of course they didn’t hurt anymore.
His scrutinizing gaze studied her face.
“W
hat?”
“You’re so beautiful.”
She felt heat rushing up her cheeks, but she didn’t turn away, though she desperately wanted to. “So are you.”
He laughed once without humor.
“I’m serious.” She moved her hand toward his face, and Liam grabbed her wrist. He might be padded in hard muscles, but his touches were always gentle. Firm, but never rough.
“Don’t.”
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
Liar. Helena realized then that she was wrong. His scars did hurt. It had probably hurt when they were inflicted, and they were still hurting him now. She shifted her hand, but he grasped it firmly.
“This isn’t a fairy tale, Helena. A kiss isn’t going to transform me into a prince. I’ll always look like a monster.”
“Is that why you never leave the house? Because you think you look like a monster?”
He didn’t answer her question.
“Your scar doesn’t make you look like a beast.” She licked her lips. “I think it makes you look like a Viking warrior.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Hey.”
“What.” He shot her a bored look.
“Don’t brush me off. I mean what I say.”
He was watching her with that intense gaze of his again. As naked as Helena felt under the gaze, she forced herself to look right back at him.
Slowly, his lips curled, and she was momentarily distracted by how it lit up his face. Their eyes remained locked. Neither said a word. Neither moved. Not even when her phone started buzzing from the floor.
Eventually he glanced over his shoulder at her phone on the floor. Bobby’s name was clear on the screen.
Liam released her wrist, and Helena picked up her phone and tablet.
She hadn’t been too worried about them since both had protective cases. She hesitated a moment before putting them on the mattress.
“Why aren’t there any linens on the mattress or pillows?”
“Umm …” She bit down on her lips. “Maybe because I used them to make a rope to climb out the window.”
Liam closed his eyes. “Don’t. Do. That. Again.”
“Then don’t lock me up again.”
He sighed. “You can sleep in my room tonight. I’ll get you a new mattress and desk tomorrow.”
“How old is this thing anyway?”
“It probably was here before I moved here. I’m twenty-eight, so … thirty years? More?”
“If I sleep in your room, where are you going to sleep?” Her phone stopped buzzing, only to start up again a second later.
“I can use the couch downstairs,” he said, his eyes on the phone.
She waved it off. “I’ll take the couch.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“It’s just safer.”
She picked up a piece of splintered wood. “Are you a hacker?”
“No. Not anymore.” Liam took the piece of wood from her and tugged her up. “Just leave it.”
“What do you do now?”
“Computer stuff.”
“That explains everything.”
Liam ran his hand through his hair and grabbed the laptop. “Security. Computer and online security.”
She tutted at her buzzing watch when her phone vibrated again.
“Are you going to answer Bobby’s calls?”
She took the phone and shut it down. “You need to do something with them?”
“It seems your stalker planted a virus, so he could get past my firewall.” He took the phone from her. “I need to make sure all traces of the virus are gone, and see what has been accessed.”
“How long would that take?”
“A couple of hours, at most.” He walked over to the door. “You’ll have to stay in my room tonight. My king-sized mattress won’t fit on this bed frame.”
“Are you asking me to follow you?”
Liam’s brows drew together. “I’ll come back and get you in fifteen minutes.”
“Now I want to see your room.” She moved toward the door.
“Don’t make me lock you up again.”
She crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
She narrowed her eyes, then dashed out of the room.
Liam easily caught her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder. She squealed, and he laughed. In the midst of all this, she caught a glimpse of Kelly staring at them with her mouth wide open.
Before Helena could say a word, Kelly fled.
“Put me down.” She slapped him on the back.
“You’ll be good and stay in your room for fifteen minutes?”
“I have nothing to do. I’ll be bored. If your room’s a mess, I could help you pick up.”
“I have a housekeeper.”
“And from the way she runs away from you, I wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t allowed in your room.”
Liam set her down. “The room’s clean. I’m just … no one’s ever been in my room.”
The vulnerability in his voice made her heart ache. She smiled at him and nodded. “I’ll wait.”
He arched a brow.
“I promise.”
Liam sighed heavily and cocked his head to the side. “Come on.”
Chapter 7
Helena ran her hand through her hair and groaned when she heard someone knocking on the door. She hadn’t slept well last night, and Liam’s bed was so comfortable. She did wish he had a thicker duvet, or maybe she should just find the controls and turn up the temperature in the room.
“Helena.”
“Come in,” she said when she heard Liam’s voice, then curled up under the blanket.
“Why are you hiding under the blanket?”
“It’s cold.” She took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh minty scent of his pillow.
“Sorry. I’m used to setting it cold.”
She heard a beep and flipped the blanket off her head. “What time is it?”
“Two.”
“A.M.?”
“Yeah.”
She groaned again. “Did you change your mind about letting me sleep in your room? You’ll have to drag my dead body off the bed.”
He laughed, and she grinned.
Helena had a feeling that it wasn’t common for Liam to laugh, and she loved drawing that sound out of him.
“Bobby’s here.”
She rubbed a hand over her face. “What does he want?”
“You.”
She pulled the duvet over herself. “Just put him over your shoulder and throw him out.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I want to go back to sleep.”
He laughed again. “I can do that.”
She sighed and pushed off the duvet. Then she kicked her legs over to the side and groped around for her shoes.
“What are you doing?” he asked while she was pulling on her shoes. “I thought you wanted me to throw him out?”
She rubbed her arms. “I don’t want you guys to end up in a fight.”
“I thought you were going to kill him for me.” Liam went over to his closet and took out a hoodie. “Here. I’m sure they’re too big for you, but you can wear my clothes if you need to.”
“Thank you.” She pulled on the hoodie. The same fresh mint scent washed over her. She looked down; the hem fell nearly to her knees. “So it really was him?” She pushed the sleeves up her arms. “He’s the one behind all those scars?”
“No.”
They headed out of the room, into the equally dark hallway.
“Just the one on my face. Isn’t that enough?”
She nodded and crossed her arms. “Why do you set the temperature so low?”
“It’s comfortable for me.”
“Helena! Miss No-life! Miss Goody-two-shoes.”
Helena stopped walking and turned to Liam. “He’s drunk, isn’t he?”
“I would assume so. I haven’t gone down
to speak with him.”
“As if you were going to speak with him.” She trotted forward. “Is your front door never locked?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know if the doors are locked?”
“I assume Kelly locks up at night.” He shrugged a shoulder. “And up until recently, no one has ever bothered to come here.”
Helena licked her lips. “Venice.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve been thinking.” At first, she hadn’t been able to sleep. The bed was comfortable, but it smelled like Liam. So her thoughts kept straying to how it felt with his arms around her, how he’d run to her when he thought she was in trouble, how he’d held her when she was shaking.
To distract herself, she had grabbed her phone and run a search on places of interest.
She had traveled to many places when she was a child. Most of the time spent overseas was in shopping malls or stores, since that was all her mother was interested in. Then after her father’s business failed, she hadn’t been anywhere. She hadn’t even thought about it.
Between Nigel’s condition and the shenanigans he and Bobby got up to, she never had time to think much about such things. Not even when Aunt Beth encouraged her to do so.
“Everyone says it’s beautiful,” she said. “And it’s sinking. I’d like to go there before it’s fully underwater.”
“It isn’t sinking. The water level is rising.”
She shot him a glare, but she wasn’t sure if he could see her in the dark.
“Maldives, too.”
“I’m not that much of a beach resort person. At least I don’t think I am.” She snapped her fingers. “New Zealand. I’d like to see the Shire.”
“What?”
“The hobbit set. You know, Lord of the Rings.” She grinned at him. “Now that I’ve answered your question, you should think about it too.”
“You’re going to keep bugging me about it until I give you an answer, right?”
“Absolutely.” She turned to him. “Why do you sound so wide awake?”
“I haven’t been asleep.”
“You’re still working?”
“Kind of.”
“Kind of?” She frowned. “You’re still working on fixing my laptop?”
“I’m done with that. I’ve been trying to find your stalker and writing the program to run through online videos.”
She stopped again. “Liam, thank you. Really.”
“You’ve already thanked me.”