The knowledge broke her heart.
Still, she swallowed the lump in her throat, blinked away the burning in her eyes, and cleared her throat. Liam twisted slightly to look at her over his shoulder.
“Tell me about my father,” she said softly.
“Like what?”
“What did he do? Who was he?”
He dragged his palms along his thighs while staring at her, almost as though filtering through the information in his head. Eventually, he walked toward her and helped her into the tattered sofa.
“Personally, I didn’t know him very well.” Liam admitted. “I knew him through Tex and his team. But your father was what we call a handler.”
“A handler? Like a bookie?”
Liam chuckled. “No. Like—what I say to you stays in this room, do you understand?”
She nodded.
“Okay. He oversaw missions—rescue missions of Canadian soldiers kidnapped or captured abroad. I did an operation with him once, but he was merely a voice in my ears. He was pretty good at what he did—but when it came to his personal safety, he was a little reckless.”
“What do you mean?”
“Declining patrol—if anything goes wrong, the rule was to keep some protection close. He never wanted…” Liam exhaled loudly. “Listen, Hummingbird. I don’t know what kind of father Leonard was. But I could only guess he stayed away from your family for such lengths of time to keep people like me away.”
“Like you? But he sent me to you.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No.” Amelia told him. “Actually, I don’t.”
He dragged a frustrated palm over his face and when he looked at her again, Amelia was terrified by the darkness shadowing his gaze.
“People who can kill like breathing. People who are dead inside. People who already have a first-class ticket to hell and dropping one more body means nothing—people like me.”
She shook her head. “No. You’re not like them—you cannot touch me the way you have and be the devil.”
“Humm—”
Amelia shifted away from him.
“Your father made enemies with some very dangerous people.” Liam continued. “And if Storegenko is out there stirring the pot, sooner or later, one of these people your father pissed off will catch on and come looking. And they won’t care about some painting or your connection to it. They are coming for blood.”
Amelia buried her face in her hands. Though she wanted to cry, she had to be strong. She couldn’t crumble under the weight of his words.
After a moment, Liam’s large palm rested against her back and rubbed. He was close. She knew without even looking up. His facial hair dragged against the side of her temple as he kissed her head.
“The best way to fight a demon is to send a worse one in.” Liam’s voice cracked. “And trust me, Hummingbird, the only way they’ll get to you is over my dead body. This demon protects what’s his.”
Without a word, Amelia turned and cuddled against his chest. Liam held onto her, his strong arms engulfing her like the welcomed lullaby of a wave. It was hard to understand how a man who called himself a demon could make her feel so safe and wanted. Was it because she was suddenly being drawn to darkness? Maybe it was because for all his self-doubt, Liam wasn’t truly a bad person.
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Liam asked. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“You’re probably right.”
But she didn’t move until Liam kissed her head. When she leaned away, Amelia meant to do exactly as he’d suggested—or at least try. But instead, she framed his face, his beard tickling her palms, and kissed him. Liam sighed under her mouth, spread his lips and accepted her affections. He slid his palms against her sides, around to her back and pulled her off the sofa and fulling into his body. She moaned, giving him control of the kiss she started.
When he finally lifted his head, she smiled, extricated her body from his arms and made her way to the bed. Though she wanted him, Amelia knew it would have to wait. Liam was tired—she felt it in the tremble of his hand against her back, saw it in the darkened abyss of his eyes.
He climbed into the bed with her and she scooted close to bury her face into his neck. Even so, she was careful not to touch his wounded arm as she moved her arm to draw him even nearer.
Chapter 12
“Liam?”
He didn’t want to wake up but the urgency in Amelia’s voice caused Wraith to open his eyes. She was staring down at him in the early morning light, looking beautiful with her hair a righteous mess and his shirt falling off one of her shoulders.
“What’s the matter?” He managed.
“Make love to me.”
“I thought women didn’t get morning wood?” Wraith quirked a brow.
“I don’t know about wood.” She averted her gaze. “We don’t have to. I was kinda hoping—”
Wraith wrapped his arms around her, rolled them over to trap her body beneath his. “I would love to, Hummingbird. But we’re fresh out of protection. And we can’t exactly run to the corner store.”
He nipped at her neck then dragged his tongue upward to her mouth. “But I’ll give you a little something to hold you over—what do you say?” Wraith lifted his head to meet her yes. She smiled at him, the only permission he needed.
For a silent moment, she traced his lips with her thumbs. Wraith allowed her the time she needed, to touch him, to drag her palm across his cheeks then down to his shoulders. Amelia wrapped her legs around his hips, causing his body to fall flush against her. His cock pressed intimately through his clothes and hers.
Amelia sighed and wiggled her hips.
Wraith nibbled at her neck even as his fingers sought entrance to her core. He played with her, feeling her hot and wet in his hand. She gasped, body arched into him while tangling her arms around his neck. The sound of his name escaping her lips was music, a breathy symphony of pleasure which pushed his arousal higher.
“Don’t hold back, Hummingbird,” Wraith demanded. “Give me what I want.”
“I…” She trembled into him. “Liam…”
She tightened around his fingers as her body bucked with her pleasure.
“I’m right here,” Wraith whispered, soothing her.
“Don’t let go,” Amelia whimpered. “Please, don’t let go.”
“I won’t.” He tightened his arm around her. “I’ll never let go.”
It took a while before she shifted on him. Wraith released her and met her eyes. They didn’t have to speak for him to know things between them had changed. It was more than sex—it was more than orgasm. Something had shifted as she clung to him and gave her body to him. Wraith was never good with women—sure, they chased him. They wanted him until they realized how deep his darkness seeped. Then they couldn’t get away fast enough. But Amelia Hemmingway was different. He felt it in the shy way she averted her gaze after what he’d done to her, in the soft tremble in her touch even while she brushed her lips against his ear.
He trembled for her, unable to stop the way his body reacted.
“Can we get this over with?” Amelia asked. “I can’t wait to take you home. You may not want to admit it now, Liam, but you’re mine.”
He laughed softly. “Is that a fact?”
“You didn’t feel anything just now?” She asked.
Wraith said nothing.
With an irritated grunt, she shoved from his arms and climbed off the bed. As she stormed toward the bathroom, Wraith pushed to his elbow. “When we get back to Canada, Hummingbird, you’ll have to say those words to me again.”
She stopped and shifted to look at him. “What?”
“You’ll tell me again. If you can say it to me once more, then sure.”
Amelia smiled, her eyes lighting up as she disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Wraith smiled but climbed out of the bed. He allowed his brain the time to switch from a comfortable life with this
woman, of waking up in the mornings to lovemaking sessions and breakfast in bed. He wanted all those wonderful moments with her—what was so special about this woman?
He grabbed his bag and set about going through what they have left. The Sandwiches were gone. The water and juice along with potato chips remained. They would have to find a place to get breakfast and supplies to take them the rest of the way into Omsk. They would also require gas—he supposed.
Firepower was ready. Unless they broke into an all out war, he should have enough bullets to last a while.
By the time Amelia returned, the bags were sitting by the door and he was reaching for his shirt. She brushed by him, and he turned to watch her get herself together all the while wishing he could take her back to bed. But there would be time for that later…
…if they survived what was to come.
Back on the road, silence descended over the vehicle. The only sound was snow crunching under the tires, the heat breathing through the vents and the rumble of the engine. Amelia had her palm against his thigh, comforting him.
“Can I tell you something?” Amelia asked.
“Of course.”
“I have never been okay with intimacy,” Amelia admitted.
“Never been okay with it?”
“What I mean is, my first time was a disaster…painful. So bad I thought my entire body was burning and not in the sexy way the movies talk about.” Amelia looked out the window. “There is something different about giving myself to him. I guess it was because I had been so scared. I didn’t know what I was doing. I had waited so long to give myself to a man—I expected fireworks, you know? With you—it was more than fireworks and I know at the end of this you might want to walk away but—when the time comes, I need you to make love to me again before you go.”
“Hummingbird…”
“It’s okay.” She interrupted. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad. Hell, I barged into your solitude and all but kidnapped you.”
Wraith chuckled. Softly.
“I just…” She sighed. “I never want to forget what you feel like.”
Wraith nodded. Honestly, he didn’t see himself walking away. If they could get through this, and figure out the Lala—if they found it—Wraith was pretty sure he could be happy with Amelia by his side.
“One last time—to say goodbye. Please, don’t simply walk away.”
“Do you remember, when I told you I wouldn’t let go?”
“Mhmm.”
“I’m a man of my word.” He added. “Let’s worry about the end when it comes. Right now, I need you to be present with me. I’m going to need you to watch my back on this.”
“Liam, I’m not a child.” She pouted, “I don’t need you to humor me.”
“I didn’t say you were. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head.” Wraith glanced over to see she was smiling. “What?” he asked.
“You trust me.”
“Of course—why wouldn’t I?”
Amelia giggled. “I won’t let you down, Liam. I promise.”
Chapter 13
Omsk wasn’t as small as Amelia had imagined. It did nothing to ease her anxiety, but she had no time to really come to terms with what she had been feeling. They stayed a hotel Tex had made safe for them. She slept, cuddled up to Liam’s side but when she woke in the wee hours of the morning to use the bathroom, she was alone.
After she washed her hands and rinsed her mouth, Amelia wandered out to the sitting room to find him scrolling through his phone. She wrapped he arms around him from behind and relish in the long sigh to escape his body at her touch. He set the phone down, took her hand and lead her around the chair. He scooped her into his lap and kissed between her eyes.
When he rested his beard covered chin to her forehead, Amelia closed her eyes and settled into his warmth.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“For what?”
“My father dragged you into this.” Amelia told him. “I never wanted to be this—this damsel to anyone but here I am.”
“But a beautiful damsel.”
She laughed and shifted to look up into his gaze. “I’m being serious.”
“We all need a little help from time to time. There is no shame in asking for some. Now if we…” He stopped as his phone started ringing.
Though Amelia wanted to give him some privacy for his call, Liam held onto her and pressed the phone to his ear. “Beauty? Everything all right? I’m going to put you on speaker.”
He did as he said then set the phone in Amelia’s lap. “Go ahead.” Liam then proceeded to nibble at Amelia’s shoulder.
“Had a little bit of a scuffle with some asshole,” Lili explained. “You guys were right. They are watching, Lisa. I’m going to make sure she doesn’t know what’s happening for as long as I can but hurry up and come back.”
“Is she okay?” Amelia asked, her heart racing.
Liam lifted his head but didn’t let go.
“She’s fine,” Lili replied. “This happened before she got home. When she came, a black car came with her. I don’t think she noticed. I have eyes on them right now.”
“Do you want me to ask Tex to send you some help?” Liam questioned.
“No. I have a connection down here,” Lili said. “I trust him. If I need any help, I’ll put in a call.”
“Thanks, Lili.” Amelia said. “If I can ever do anything for you…”
“Make sure Wraith doesn’t come back to Canadian soil without a bottle of vodka with my name on it,” Lili said.
“That’s it?” Amelia asked.
“I’m easy, Amelia, not cheap.”
Amelia laughed.
They talked for a little while longer until she had to go. Amelia sighed and snuggled closer to Liam’s body.
“Why do they call you Wraith?”
“Um—it was better than bringer of death,” Liam replied.
“Meaning?”
“I’ve killed my fair share of people,” Liam explained, his voice soft, tight. “When it comes down to you or them—your team going home or the bad guy—the decision to squeeze that trigger is as easy as breathing.”
Amelia snugged him after dropping a kiss to his throat. “I’m sorry. This hurts you.”
“It does.”
“I’m sorry I asked.”
“Don’t worry about it, Hummingbird. If you’re serious about me being yours, I would have had to tell you at some point, right?”
“Maybe.”
“Do you want to go out to the address Tex sent us now?” Liam asked.
“Aren’t we supposed to wait for the guys who are coming?”
“Yes. We won’t engage.” Liam kissed her shoulder. “This is strictly a fact fighting mission.”
“Okay.”
“Before we go.” Liam said. He stood and set her to sit in the sofa. When he came back to her, he held out a silver and black gun. “I’m going to need you to take this.”
She shook her head.
“Amelia, I need you to learn how to use this,” Liam pushed. “It’s easy. The safety is here—all you have to do is squeeze. Brace yourself for a little bit of a kick-back but, you fire, you understand?”
She accepted the weapon. It was heavy in her hand, but she tried focusing on what he’d been telling her. Once their lesson was over, she placed the gun in her purse and dressed. Soon, they were out the door and following the stoic voice of the GPS to the address Tex had given them. It wasn’t far from the Hotel, and in the early morning, they parked in the parking lot of a coffeeshop. He ran in to grab them something to eat and hot coffee, then returned to the car as they watched the building across the street.
She sipped and moaned softly at the heat, flowing down her throat then into her belly. It was welcomed. Her stomach gurgled in pleasure. She watched Liam. The way his eyes roamed their target told her a lot. He was an intense man, in everything he did. The way he made love to her, the way he went after the bad guys, the way he studied the building.
“What do you see when you look at the structure?” Liam asked her before biting into his chicken wrap.
“What I see?” Amelia tore her eyes from him and tried focusing. “It’s dark—almost too dark.”
“Explain.”
“If you look at the other buildings, they have some dark windows, but some has a light or two,” Amelia pointed out. “The others have emergency lights in the area where the elevator usually is. This one is just—well—black.”
“Good. What else?”
Amelia looked carefully. “No cars. At this time of the night there should be at least one vehicle in the lot.”
“Right. What does it all mean?”
“There’s no one home?”
Liam chuckled. “Try again.”
“Someone is trying to lay low, not draw attention.” Amelia explained, not sure if she was even closer.
“Perfect. Now, look all the way to the top.”
Amelia set her coffee in the holder and leaned forward until her breasts were almost pressing into the dash. She squinted to see a small, periodic flash of light. “Someone is home.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, Liam. I shouldn’t have missed that.”
“It’s all right. This is why we do these fact-finding trips.” Liam reached over to take her hand for a reassuring squeeze. “We’re going to have to take a closer look. Are you up for this?”
“My life is in someone else’s hands,” Amelia said, determination raging inside her. “I don’t like it. I want to have a hand in taking my world back. So, let’s do this.”
Liam kissed her. “Okay, let’s go.”
Before leaving the car, Amelia grabbed the weapon he’d given her. She went over how to use it in her head before dropping it in the large pocket of her coat. Together, they braved the cold air. The frigid cold froze any exposed skin within seconds as her teeth chattered. Still, she didn’t complain. As the trudged through the snow, she couldn’t help thinking Lili would not whine about the cold.
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