Bellamy

 

For a while, I thought I was winning over most of the kitchen staff. I did actually win over a few. However, it seemed what acceptance I’d gained during my weeks working at The Inn was somehow lost during my time off following Ren’s death.

I couldn’t really understand why.

I mean, as far as everyone knew, I was the victim of a brutal robbery and present when Ren was shot. Not to sound callous or even that I wanted it, but one would think that might get me more acceptance, if only due to sympathy, rather than the opposite.

When I’d come back a couple months ago, people smiled tentatively and avoided my stare. I’d never been one they included in the “kitchen gossip,” but it was less so now.

Then the bump happened.

You know, my little baby boy stopped torturing me with all-day sickness and Liam started plying me with food.

Feed my son. Feed my son. The man acted like I wouldn’t know to eat if he wasn’t hounding me about it.

As a result, I began showing. Because that’s what happens when you’re pregnant. According to Liam, I wasn’t big enough. He seemed to think I needed to grow to the size of a house. Personally, I think he equated the size of my stomach to his success at making a baby.

He was utterly absurd.

He made up for it, though, by being unbelievably sweet. He still carried around a pocket full of pictures, every single day. He touched my stomach more than I did and let me eat Raisin Bran in bed.

So far, I was mostly a small, round belly, but I was only halfway through my pregnancy. I knew that would change soon enough.

The undeniable proof I was carrying Liam’s baby seemed to put me on a pedestal. The very one I’d worked tirelessly for weeks upon weeks to get off of in the beginning. It seemed as though just when people were starting to see me as a person, not just Liam’s girlfriend, Ren died, and I became a walking reminder that I was linked to the Mattison family.

And all that kitchen gossip? I was pretty sure most of it was about me.

It didn’t bother me. Okay, it bothered me a little. I still subscribed to the fact that this stuff was small considering everything I’d been through and, therefore, didn’t matter.

Guess my feelings were a little harder to convince because, I admit, sometimes coming here gave me a stomach ache. I tried to tell myself that was the baby, but when the daily sickness wore off, it was kinda hard to keep lying to myself.

I was just emotional. It was a pregnant woman’s right. Right? That was the lie I was telling myself these days.

Truth was things were finally starting to settle down. At least for us. No one had tried to kill me or Liam. No one was leaving me creepy rubber toys, the FBI wasn’t breathing down my neck, and we were doing our best to adjust to life without Ren.

Liam was in his element and seeing him without so much weighing him down was honestly the best part of it all. Well, that and my mom.

Having her back in my life was a dream come true. I teared up thinking about her even now. She was staying at Holly’s house with us, which made it so easy to spend all my extra time with her. Even though she’d been here two months, it seemed we were still catching up. We were able to do all the things I missed so intensely after my father was murdered, and it was all because Liam found her and brought her to BearPaw.

I had my life back. A full life right down to my dream job.

Except… honestly?

This job wasn’t so much a dream anymore.

And more honestly?

I was still sort of holding my breath that something would take away all this happiness.

I squeezed my eyes shut because even thinking like that made tremendous guilt assail me.

“Hey, Jess?” I said, glancing up from what I was doing. The girl working nearby made a sound and kept on working.

With a suppressed sigh, I walked the short distance between our stations and stopped beside her. “Jess.”

“Yes?” she said without looking at me.

I mean, really, how hard was it to look at someone when they spoke directly to you?

“Are you almost finished there? I need all this prepped so I can start tonight’s specials.”

“I’m not done yet.”

“You knew I needed this stuff hours ago. You should have had it done already.” It was accusatory. I admit it. It was also authoritative because, technically, I was her boss.

And she was being a disrespectful bratty turtle on purpose.

Jess glanced up, giving me a surprised side eye. Usually, I just asked for stuff fifteen thousand times and never got testy about it.

“What are you going to do, call baby daddy and tattle?”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “What did you just say to me?”

“Nothing.” She feigned innocence.

“Insulting your superior is not nothing,” I snapped.

“You wouldn’t be my superior if it wasn’t for who you slept with to get here.”

“You’re right,” I tossed out. “My culinary experience has sooo much to do with my sex life.”

“Someone’s hormones are working overtime,” one of the other girls quipped.

“No.” I said. “I’m just tired of being surrounded by jealous bitches.”

I was fuming. Like the tolerance rope I’d been gripping the past few months was frayed and about to snap.

“I wouldn’t worry too much, Jess.” The girl who spoke before walked up behind me, making me the middle of a mean girl sandwich. “There’s no ring on her finger, which means as soon as she pops out that kid, Liam will get bored and kick her to the curb. Then you can have the job that should have been yours.”

Wow.

I was stunned speechless for a moment because I was surprised at the big ol’ balls these girls had. I mean, of all the nerve!

My brain scrambled to catch up, to push back the fierce anger and shock, and come up with a scorching reply.

“Aw, don’t have much to say now, do you?” she taunted.

“I sure as fuck do.” The low, angry voice cut through the kitchen and silenced everything.

You could have heard a pin drop for several seconds, which felt like minutes. My eyes fell closed briefly for two reasons:

1) I loved the sound of that voice.

And

2) He was royally pissed.

I glanced around just in time to see Liam move gracefully through the kitchen. He was dressed for the slopes and had a dark-blue beanie pulled down over his head. Intensity and fierceness rolled off him in waves. So much so people actually stepped back as he moved, even if they weren’t in his path.

The only one who dared standing close enough was Alex, who prowled along beside him like a wingman from hell.

One had flashing silver eyes, and the other’s were cold as ice.

“Liam,” Jess said, her lips practically puckered to kiss his ass.

“That’s Mr. Mattison to you,” he said, turning the weight of his gaze on her. She wilted instantly, and he flicked his stare to the other girl.

When his eyes turned to me, everything about them softened as he assessed me for damage. I wanted to roll my eyes, but secretly, I was kinda relieved.

His clenched jaw loosened and his lips turned up. “Bring my baby over here,” he said gently, crooking a finger in my direction.

I did roll my eyes then and walked toward him, cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

The second I was within reach, both his palms covered my belly, engulfing it, and a small part of me swooned. I died a little every time he did that. Every time he held our baby in his hands.

Despite literally vibrating with anger and silently daring anyone to speak or move, Liam dropped down on his haunches in front of me and pressed his lips to my belly. “Plug your ears, pumpkin,” he murmured. “Daddy has to take out the trash.”

“Liam.” I warned. He stood swiftly, raising to his full height and slipping back into that beast mode of his. He cupped the back of my head, kissed my hairline, and then gently but deftly pushed me behind him.

I glanced at Alex, widening my eyes. “Do something.”

“He’s got this handled,” Alex said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“That’s not what I meant,” I muttered.

“You’re fired.” The words were lashes from Liam’s mouth.

“But, Mr. Mattison!” Jess exclaimed. “It was a misunderstanding.”

“You’re right,” he intoned. “It was. You never should have been hired in the first place.”

“We were just joking.” The girl beside Jess jumped in. “Bellamy knows that. Tell them,” she implored.

Alex nudged me. “Girl, why didn’t you tell me this was still going on?”

Liam whipped around. “Still going on?”

“They’ve been giving her a hard time since she got here, bro. Even after all them dishes she washed and vegetables she cut.”

Liam’s eyes flared, pinning me. “What’s he talking about?”

I gave Alex the stink eye.

He shook his head. “Girl, I gave you time to handle it. Clearly, this needs a heavier hand.”

“Have you been doing other people’s work in here?” Liam asked me, quiet. Deadly.

I balked. “No. I just help where it’s needed.”

Alex leaned in toward Liam. “She was washing dishes the night I came to pick her up…”

Realization flashed across his face, and I knew he was thinking back to the night I was attacked here, realizing I’d stayed late to pick up kitchen duty.

Chef D’alessio chose that moment to walk into the room. “What’s going on in here?” he bellowed. “Why isn’t anyone working? Of all the impertinent—” His words died the second he stepped around a station and saw Liam and Alex. “Mr. Mattison. Is something wrong?”

Liam turned his head to pierce the chef with his cool stare. “Actually, yes. I’m wondering what the fuck kind of kitchen you’re running here.”

“I beg your pardon,” he replied, terse.

The rest of Liam rotated so he was fully facing the chef. “It’s come to my attention that you’ve been allowing your kitchen staff to blatantly harass another, and you’ve been allowing her to pick up the slack of your other employees.”

“I can assure you—”

“I would be very careful with whatever words you choose right now.” Liam advised very quietly.

“Jess? Monica?” Chef looked between the two pale women. “Are you involved?”

“They no longer work here.” Liam informed him.

“Y-you fired my staff?”

“They’re my staff.” Liam cut him down. “And yes, I did.” He turned back to Jess and Monica. “Get out.”

“Please.” Monica stepped forward, about to beg.

“Out!” Liam roared.

Someone off to the side jumped at his sudden yell and knocked a pan off a table. It clattered against the hard floor.

Both girls raced for the door.

“Oh, and, ladies?” Liam beckoned.

The both stopped, turning back, wary.

Liam took a step forward. “Telling a pregnant woman she is going to be kicked to the curb as soon as she has her baby is the epitome of disgusting. If I ever see either of you on BearPaw Resort property again, I will have you physically removed.”

One of the girls let out a cry as they both raced from the room.

When they were gone, a collective breath seemed to fill the room.

But Liam wasn’t done.

“And for the record.” He spoke loudly for everyone to hear. “I want this baby, and I’m in love with his mother. If I hear anyone whisper anything remotely resembling anything but that, you will join those two idiots in exile.”

“Liam.” I admonished.

“And…” He continued, ignoring me. “Bellamy did not get hired here because of me. She got hired because of her talent and culinary skills. To suggest otherwise is demeaning and insulting to both her and me.”

Liam stopped talking, but no one moved. Not even the chef.

After a moment, Alex cleared his throat. “Any questions?”

No one said a word.

Liam made a sound. “Back to work!”

Just like that, the kitchen started up again. Nervous energy buzzed through the place, and I let out a shaky breath.

Liam stepped up to Chef. “I would suggest taking a hard look at the way you’re running this kitchen, because what I walked in on today makes me wonder if you’re suitable to run a gas station eatery, let alone this five-star restaurant.”

“Liam!” I gasped for like the fifteenth time.

Chef D’alessio stuttered, his face flushed.

I wanted to find a giant pot to crawl into.

Liam reached out behind him, found my hand, and wrapped his around it.

“C’mon, Bells. We’re going home.”

“I’m in the middle of my shift!” I hissed.

Liam lifted an eyebrow at Chef, who cleared his throat. “Take the rest of the day… er, as much time as you need. I’ll make sure your duties are covered.”

“That’s not really necessary,” I said, face flaming.

My God! I spent months trying to avoid not being seen as the spoiled girlfriend of Liam Mattison, and now look! Just look!

Liam started walking, towing me along with him. I tried to dig my heels in, but Alex closed in behind me.

I was outnumbered. Not to mention embarrassed, exhausted, and fuming mad!

When we made it outside, winter wind picked up my hair and whipped it around. I yanked my hand free of Liam’s and glared. “What the hell?” I cried.

Liam looked at me and frowned. “Where’s your coat?”

“Inside, with all my other belongings I couldn’t grab because you were beating on your chest and acting like a caveman!”

Liam glanced over at Alex, who sighed dramatically. “I’m on it.”

Alex disappeared back inside, and Liam peeled off his coat and tucked it around me.

“I cannot believe you,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Those bitches got off easy in there,” he intoned. “And I’m still not sure Chef will be keeping his job.”

“You can’t just fire everyone!”

“The hell I can’t.”

“Stop it,” I said, weary.

Gripping the collar of his jacket and holding it closed beneath my chin, Liam regarded me with serious gray eyes. “I won’t ever stop protecting you. I won’t ever tolerate anyone saying such degrading shit to you.” Gently, he grasped my jaw and lifted my face. “You know none of that shit is true, right?”

I nodded. “I know.”

Liam cursed, hooked an arm around me, and directed my body into his. I fit against him perfectly, and the fresh snow scent he always carried rose around me and filled my senses. It didn’t seem to matter I was angry and upset, because my body relaxed into his almost instantly.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured, holding me a little tighter.

“This doesn’t mean I forgive you,” I said against his chest.

His low laugh floated overhead, and my eyelashes swept down.

Alex came back outside, carting my coat and bag, and Liam ushered me into Alex’s Hummer. When I crawled into the back, Liam grabbed my waist and gently tugged me into his lap.

“There are a ton of seats,” I pointed out.

“I know.”

“What are you even doing here anyway?” I asked after Alex started driving. “Both of you.”

“We need to talk,” Liam replied, pushing me down against his chest.

“About what?” I said, a fissure of worry moving through me.

“Just give me a minute, huh?” he whispered. “Just let me hold you.”

I relented because being held by Liam was something I loved.

Still, I couldn’t help but worry if that inkling of fear that happiness was fleeting wasn’t about to turn into full-blown reality.