3. Emily
I watch as Liam flees from my bedroom shortly after Dr. Robbins begins working on my leg.
His face morphed into a weird combination of emotions that I couldn’t figure out. He was like a concrete wall when I bumped into him earlier. But the moment I met his gorgeous hazel eyes… Everything disappeared. I knew my da was hiring someone to come replace Finn at the docks, but I didn’t anticipate him. I’m not sure what it is about him that calls to me, but I want to explore it.
With wavy light-brown hair, broad shoulders, and a towering height, Liam is beautiful. His strong jaw calls for my fingers to caress his stubble. His plush lips demand mine.
His spicy musk scent wrapped around me like a warm blanket when he lifted me into his muscled arms. I wanted to immerse myself in that scent. The feel of his heart beating rapidly caused my stomach to swarm with butterflies.
I affect him just as much as he affects me. It’s thrilling and I hope something can come of it.
“You hurt yourself pretty good here, Emily,” Dr. Robbins says with a shake of his head.
“It’s not like I meant to fall,” I reply with an eye roll.
Declan stands behind Dr. Robbins and meets my eyes. “What were you doing?”
“I just lost my footing when I was moving around.”
He purses his lips and nods. I know he doesn’t believe me. I’m not a very good liar but I’m not going to tell him I was trying to shave every inch of my body. He doesn’t need to know that or the why I decided to do it.
It’s not like Liam would be interested in anything with me anyway. I’m sure he’s experienced, and I’m anything but. I don’t even need to mention the fact that he works for my father.
I hiss from the sharp sting caused by the antiseptic Dr. Robbins is using to clean my wound.
“Sorry, I’ll need to numb you for this next part,” Dr. Robbins mumbles and preps the supplies.
Another sharp sting followed by a burn causes my face to twist in pain before the numbness sets in.
“This will need a few stitches,” Dr. Robbins begins working on mending my wound and Declan watches his actions closely.
Declan is an overbearing brute when it comes to me. I’m the kid-sister. Unfortunately, I’m also a mafia princess. That means I’m at a much higher risk of danger than Declan. Where he is mountainous in height and build, I’m petite, like my mother. Declan is a force to be reckoned with. He has a thirst for blood and thrives in hectic situations.
Me? I’m too soft. Too gentle. I can’t even muster the courage to kill a damned spider.
I can’t help but glance repeatedly at the doorway in hopes of seeing Liam standing there.
The way my body responded to his was surprising. I wasn’t sure what to think of it. I’ve been surrounded by men my entire life but not someone so close to my age outside of Rhys and Declan.
Rhys has been best friends with Declan for as long as I can remember but he’s as much of a brother to me as Declan is. Nothing romantic will ever be happening there.
But Liam? The attraction was instant and unavoidable.
Despite being eighteen, I’ve never had a chance to explore any relationships because of my status with the mafia. I’m meant to be pure for any plans for an arranged marriage.
But maybe I can convince my da to let me at least try something with Liam. It’s a huge stretch that he would be willing to let it happen, but I want to at least try.
“There you are.” Dr. Robbins packs up his supplies and then rises from the bed.
“Thank you, Doc.” I offer him a small smile that he returns before exiting the room.
“Were you able to finish showering or do you need help?”
“You’re not helping me.” I can’t hide the repulsion in my voice.
Rhys snorts when Declan’s face twists with disgust.
“I was going to have Ingrid help you,” he grunts.
“I think I can manage. Just won’t use the rain showerhead.” I shrug.
“Alright, be careful.”
Declan strides over and places a gentle kiss on the top of my head then makes his way to the door. Rhys shoots me a wink then follows him out.
A few days later, I walk slowly down the steps to avoid too much irritation to my stitches as I make my way over to the front door. I spot Liam walking in the same direction from the hallway.
“Liam!” I call out before I have a chance to talk myself out of it.
His head whips around to the sound of my voice and I watch as his gaze travels down my body. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down when he swallows tightly.
I lightly bite my bottom lip as I absorb his attention.
When he meets my eyes, I turn into a blushing fool. There is a clear heat there and I can feel it burning into my body like a hot Arizona summer.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he clears his throat.
“Anythin’, you need?” His Irish accent is thick and unconsciously seductive.
“I… Uh.” I rack my brain for a reason for calling his name as I make my way closer to him.
His head quirks slightly and he raises a brow.
“I wanted to see how you were doing. You ran out of my room pretty fast the other day.” I lower my chin slightly to hide the embarrassing blush that threatens to spread over my face.
He straightens and rolls his shoulders back.
“Yeah, everythin’ is good.” He nods and gives me a tight smile.
“Oh. Good. That’s good.”
This whole exchange is painfully awkward now that he has hidden the heat from his eyes.
“Listen, I’ve gotta get goin’.” He gestures his thumb over his shoulder.
“Right. I guess I’ll see you later then?” I can’t help the hope that leaks in my tone.
“Er… Yeah.”
When I smile at him, I swear I see longing in his eyes before he steels his features and leaves.
The tips of my fingers lightly brush along the vibrant flower petals as I walk through the garden. My da had this specifically made for my ma before she decided to stay in Ireland to take care of my grandma. Now, it’s mine.
The garden is my favorite place on the property. The honeybees, hummingbirds, and butterflies moving from flower to flower fill me with so much contentment. I love sitting among the foliage and watching them. It brings me a sort of peace despite the crazy lifestyle I lead.
Finding a soft patch of grass, I lay out the throw blanket I brought with me and lie down. My bright red hair fans out and I watch as clouds move slowly across the blue sky.
It’s silent aside from the soothing sounds of the tree leaves rustling with the gentle wind. My eyes flutter closed, and I listen to the peaceful noises around me. A soft smile spreads over my face when I hear the songbirds’ melodies.
As time passes, I feel myself begin to drift off to sleep.
“You look like a Disney Princess.”
I shoot up to the sound of Liam’s voice. My head spins and I set my hand down to steady myself.
“What?” I ask as soon as I’ve regained my bearings.
“I said, you look like a Disney Princess.” His eyes are filled with humor and a small smirk plays on his lips. The white tee he wears stretches over his broad frame and emphasizes his muscular build. The black cargo pants he has on wrap around his firm thighs. Combined with his black boots? This man is a walking wet dream.
“What makes you say that?” My heart is pounding wildly against my chest, I worry he’ll hear it.
He shrugs and walks toward me, his eyes studying me when he stops just a few feet away.
“A beautiful woman in a sundress lyin’ in the middle of a garden, surrounded by flowers and birds. You just need to start singin’.”
I can only focus on the fact that he called me beautiful. I feel the warmth spread over my neck and up to my cheeks and I dip my head shyly.
“What are you doing out here?” I whisper and look up into his mesmerizing gaze.
“Yer da sent me to search for you.”
“Do you know what for?”
He shakes his head but stares at me through swirls of green and amber. I feel exposed in the best way.
Clearing my throat, I stand and start folding my throw blanket.
“Here, let me help you.” He reaches out and his arm brushes against mine causing us both to suck in sharp breaths.
“Sorry,” he mutters. I don’t miss the slight flush of his cheeks when he turns away from me.
My stomach is an explosion of nerves. I feel like a little girl experiencing her first crush.
After folding up the blanket, we make our way through the path that leads to the mansion.
“Your ma will be arriving from Ireland in just a few hours. She’s expected to stay with us for a few months this time.”
My cheeks burn from the stretch of my wide smile. I haven’t seen my mom in months and I’m so excited to see her and share this newfound crush I’ve developed. She’s my best friend and I share just about everything with her. I know she’ll support me in trying to convince my dad to allow some sort of relationship to form.
“This weekend, we’ll be having a party to celebrate her arrival.”
Declan and I nod from where we stand on the opposite side of my father’s desk in his study.
“Is there anything we need to do to prepare for the party?” I ask.
My dad’s eyes soften when he glances at me.
“No, mo stór. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
“Okay, Da. I’m going to see what I have to wear for the party then.”
He nods and then turns to Declan.
“I need you to stay here so we can discuss some important security measures for the party.”
When I exit the room, Finn is standing outside waiting to step inside. I smile as I step past him.
“The Russians are becoming more aggressive in their methods…” My father’s voice is cut off with the click of the door shutting behind Finn.
Worry gnaws at me at what that could mean for this weekend.
It’s no secret that our family and the Solkolovs have bad blood since my dad refuses to align with Vladimir’s flesh trading. It’s disgusting the sheer amount of people that promote and indulge in purchasing women like they’re nothing but a slab of meat. Nothing has gotten too out of hand but only time will tell if that changes.
Pushing my emotions aside, I make my way back up to my bedroom.