Chapter Ten
Liam used the four days before his mission to get security set up on Cora’s property. She may not be there for a few days, but he wanted to keep an eye on things if Alejandro’s men came snooping while everyone was gone. Cora had been ignoring Alejandro’s calls, and Liam knew it was only a matter of time before the man himself came to investigate as to why. He wanted her to tell Alejandro she quit but she was the only link to him. As long as she still worked for him, his phone would still be on and they could find him. Since Liam had moved in, there hadn’t been any more break-ins, which meant they were watching the house and knew he was staying with her. It didn’t matter how many perimeter sweeps he did, he never saw anything out of the ordinary. Cora wasn’t happy about having to leave and she made a point to tell him every day. And every day he told her it was for her safety. He still went on his morning runs and made breakfast and coffee. He picked her a new daisy every morning and put it in a vase. She ignored them at first, but they finally made their way into her office and other rooms throughout the house. For the first time, Liam was dreading going on a mission. He wasn’t worried about the mission itself. It was what could be happening here at home while he was gone. Bulldog and a few of his teammates could get away for a few days to keep an eye on the girls and look for Alejandro. Hound tracked down the plates to a stolen vehicle from Barstow, a town less than an hour away. Alejandro was most likely still in the area and everyone had a feeling he would strike while they were gone. Thankfully Bulldog was here if needed.
“I changed my mind. I don’t want to leave.” Cora told Liam as they were turning the lights off and getting ready for bed.
“Now Cora,” Liam said as if talking to a child. “We’ve been through this a million times. The guys and I are leaving soon. I don’t have the time or energy to go through this with you again because you are getting cold feet about leaving a house. It’s a house, Cora. I know it means a lot to you, but your life is more important. The police can’t keep you safe and these guys know how to take out your security and phone lines. Hound’s house is the safest place for you.” He had no doubt Hound’s security was better than what she had before but that didn’t mean it was infallible. He wasn’t taking any chances; Hound’s house would be the safest for her. Even if she couldn’t see that yet. Every chance she got Cora told him she didn’t want to go. He understood the house meant a lot to her since her grandmother gave it to her, but it was still just a house. Concrete and wood. Nothing more.
Cora stared at him with a mix of anger and horror. “Just because you’ve never really had a home doesn’t mean a house doesn’t mean a lot to the rest of us. It is not just a house to me. There are memories in these walls. I can go in my bedroom and if I concentrate hard, I can still smell my grandmother’s perfume she used to wear. This is my first and only home and I will not allow you or some two-bit smuggler force me out of it.”
“Would your grandmother want you risking your life over this house?”
No, no she wouldn’t.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to leave.”
“So, help me, Cora, I will drag you out of here kicking and screaming when I leave if I have to.”
“I’d like to see you try.” She said balling up her fists and placing them on her hips.
“Oh, trust me I wouldn’t have to try. I would succeed.”
“Why you overbearing slack-jawed-” Liam swooped down suddenly and kissed her. He told himself he was doing it to shut her up but really, he had been dying to kiss her for days and he couldn’t wait anymore. There had been enough anger between them to sink a boat. Now, he wanted to invoke another reaction from her. One he preferred over her anger. Her passions.
Cora was stiff under him a moment then suddenly melted. Liam groaned when she opened her mouth and he darted his tongue inside. He had been an idiot to give this woman up without a fight. He thought it was a good idea at the time. He could kick himself now, thinking about all the time wasted. Liam was pulling Cora closer to him when Cora must have come to her senses because she stiffened and placed a hand on his chest. He was going to ignore the warning when she pressed on his chest and pulled her head away. Her eyes were glazed, and she licked her lips. Liam had to stifle a groan at seeing her tongue wet her lips. He was thinking about pressing his luck and risk another kiss when his phone started ringing. He pulled his phone out and stared at it for a moment in trepidation then back at her. Cora knew without having to be told that it was the mystery caller that would always take him away from her. It was the only time he wore that expression, one of fear and dread. It was one she had come to fear and dread as well.
“Yeah,” he answered still watching her. Cora could hear someone talking on the other end but couldn’t understand what they were saying. She used his time on the phone to get herself back under control. She scolded herself for allowing him to kiss her, but she couldn’t muster the energy to regret it. She missed being kissed. She missed being kissed by this man. She cursed her weakness when it came to Liam. She had always been weak when it came to him. She had to be stronger before she fell for him again and broke her heart. She barely survived it the first time. She would never make it a second. “I’ll be there soon.” Liam hung up and pocketed his phone. He didn’t say anything. He just stood there and kept looking at Cora.
“You should go,” Cora said turning away from him, so he couldn’t see the hurt on her face. This was just another reminder of why they shouldn’t be together. She knew this routine by heart. He would get a call and run away. Cora refused to feel anything. His secrets were his own to keep. They weren’t dating. It didn’t matter to her anymore. The sooner this threat was over and she could go back to her normal life the better. She headed for bed and only made it up one step before Liam called out to her.
“Come with me.” She couldn’t have heard him right. She had never been invited to go before. Was this some test?
Cora turned back to face him. “Come with you where?”
Liam looked around nervously. She had never seen him nervous before. He was always so confident and poised. “It’s better if I show you.”
Cora arched a well-manicured brow in question, but Liam remained silent. She had to decide. She wanted to say no and to hell with his secrets. Why would he tell her now when she had begged him months ago? But she really wanted to know. “Let me get my coat.” Cora walked back down the stair past him and grabbed her coat. He led her out to his car and they drove in silence for twenty minutes outside of town. They pulled out to a nondescript one-story house with a ramp leading up to the front door. She looked over at Liam who looked tense as he gripped the steering wheel with both hands staring at the house. He closed his eyes and bowed his head for a moment before collecting himself and getting out of the car. Gone was the carefree Liam she had come to know. In his place was a stoic defeated-looking man she hardly recognized. “What is this place?” Cora asked as Liam got out of the car. He closed his door and walked around to her side and opened the door for her.
“You’ve always wanted to know where I go, this is it.”
“Who lives here?”
“Come on. I’ll show you.” Liam helped her out of the car and headed for the front door. As they stepped up on the porch the front door opened and an older Hispanic lady with gray hair pulled into a tight bun and a nurse’s scrubs walked out to greet them.
“Liam,” the woman said with joy. “Thank you for making it so quickly.” She stepped back so Liam could enter. Liam took Cora’s hand and pulled her inside. “Good to see you, Rosa. This is Cora St. James.”
Upon hearing her name, the older woman’s eyes widened, and she clapped excitedly. “Oh, Liam I am so glad you two are back together. June is going to be so happy.”
June? Who was June?
Liam’s grip on her hand tightened slightly and he looked uncomfortable for a moment before tugging Cora down the hallway. “Liam, who’s June?” Cora whispered.
“You’re about to meet her.” He replied cryptically.
“That’s great but who is she?” Liam didn’t answer her as he opened a door at the end of the hall and ushered Cora in. Cora walked into the room and saw a girl in her mid-twenties lying on a hospital bed. Her eyes were open watching them walk in, but she didn’t move.
“Cora meet June. June meet Cora.” Liam turned to look at Cora. “June is my younger sister,”