19. Liam
19
LIAM
V anessa's fingers curl around the flash drive like it's a winning hand in a poker game. Her expression remains unreadable, the perfect picture of control, but I see the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. Whatever's on that drive is important to her.
I glance at Tyler, who's already shifting beside me, his posture all loose confidence and calculated amusement.
"Tell me we're not leaving without that," he mutters.
I roll my shoulders, eyes still locked on Cliff. "Oh, we're getting it."
Tyler replies with a boyish grin. "Good. Because I'd hate to have put on a suit for nothing."
Cliff is already moving toward the exit, his head ducked low, shoulders hunched like he can disappear into the crowd. Idiot. Does he really think he's getting out of here without a conversation?
I exchange another glance with Tyler, and we move.
The second we cut him off, Cliff freezes. It's almost funny how quickly the bravado drains from his face.
"Cliff," I say smoothly, stepping in front of him. "Nice night for a party, isn't it?"
His gaze moves between me and Tyler, fingers twitching at his sides. "I don't know what you?—"
Tyler sighs dramatically. "Come on, man. Don't waste our time with the whole who, me? routine."
Cliff swallows, glancing toward the back exit. I see the exact moment he considers running. His knees bend, his weight shifts?—
I grab him by the front of his shirt and shove him against the nearest wall before he can even think about bolting.
He lets out a startled grunt. "Jesus, man."
I lean in, voice calm. "Tell me what's on that drive."
Cliff shakes his head, trying for casual, but his voice wobbles. "I just do what I'm paid to do, alright? Vanessa told me to?—"
I apply a little more pressure. "Try again."
His breath stutters. "It's–It's financial records, blackmail material. I don't know the details, alright? But Vanessa—she's been collecting information for months. On you. On Ava. On her brothers." His voice drops lower. "On everyone."
Beside me, Tyler whistles. "Damn. She really doesn't do things halfway."
I ignore him, my grip tightening. "So why did she need you tonight?"
Cliff licks his lips. "She wanted it secure. Said she didn't trust digital transfers. Something about a backup plan."
I share a look with Tyler. This just got interesting.
Tyler grins. "Alright, now be a good little minion and go get that drive back for us."
Cliff's eyes widen. "What?"
I smile. "Tell Vanessa something's wrong with it. Say you made a mistake. That it's corrupted. Just get it back."
Cliff looks between us, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "She'll kill me."
Tyler shrugs. "That's the risk of working for a psychopath."
Cliff groans, rubbing his hands down his face. "You guys are gonna owe me for this."
I arch a brow. "No, Cliff. You owe us. And if you don't want Vanessa knowing you ratted her out, I suggest you move fast."
With a tortured sigh, Cliff turns and stalks back toward Vanessa.
Tyler claps a hand on my shoulder. "I love when they break so easily."
We watch as Cliff approaches Vanessa, his expression twisted in forced urgency. She frowns as he murmurs something, her gaze narrowing with irritation.
Then, to my surprise, she actually hands the damn thing back.
Cliff practically scurries toward us, holding out the flash drive like a kid returning stolen candy. "Here. Take it. I had to risk a lot for this."
Tyler snatches it out of his hand. "You'll live."
Cliff scowls. "If she finds out?—"
"She won't," I cut in. "As long as you keep your mouth shut."
Cliff mutters something under his breath, but he doesn't argue. Smart choice.
Tyler holds the drive up, twirling it between his fingers. "Shall we see what Vanessa's been up to?"
I can't take my eyes off the drive. "Let's get somewhere secure first."
Tyler nods. "Then let's get out of here before Vanessa realizes she's been played."
We get into the car with Ava and head to my loft.
Tyler disappears into one of my spare rooms, muttering about needing caffeine and complete silence, and slams the door shut behind him. Ava and I are left alone in my bedroom, the tension between us thick enough to choke on.
She's pacing. Back and forth. Hands curled into fists. Bare shoulders rising and falling with each sharp breath.
I watch her, leaning against the edge of my bed, arms crossed. "Ava."
"Don't tell me to relax," she snaps without looking at me.
A hint of a smirk tugs at my lips. "Wouldn't dream of it."
She lets out a frustrated sound, shaking her head. "We don't know anything yet. That drive could have nothing on it. Or worse, what if it has everything but we can't use it? What if?—"
I step in front of her, blocking her path. "Eat first."
She blinks at me. "What?"
I nod toward the plate on my nightstand. "You need to eat. Then you can spiral."
Her glare is weak at best, but she huffs and flops onto the mattress, crossing her arms like a petulant kid. "Fine. But only because I'm starving."
I disappear into the bathroom, letting her grumble as she picks at the sandwich I made. When I return, rolling up my sleeves, I find her halfway through it.
"See?" I smirk. "The world didn't end."
She chews aggressively. "Still time."
I shake my head, sitting beside her.
For a long moment, neither of us speaks. The silence is thick, but it's not uncomfortable. It's charged. It's something else.
Then, out of nowhere, I exhale. "I hate waiting."
Ava tilts her head at me. "Yeah?"
I drag a hand down my face. "I like control. Knowing the next step. But this?" I shake my head, my mouth pulling into a grim line. "This is chaos."
She snorts. "Welcome to my world."
My eyes flick to hers. "And yet, you're handling it."
She rolls her eyes. "Barely."
"More than barely." My voice is steady. Certain. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Ava."
She stills, like she wasn't expecting that. Like she doesn't know what to do with the truth when it's laid bare in front of her.
And then, instead of deflecting with humor, she says, "I feel safe with you."
My fingers twitch at my sides.
Her voice is softer now, quieter. "Even in all of this. Even with the threats, the danger, the insane high-stakes Bond villain nonsense we're dealing with… I feel safe with you."
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. She doesn't know what that does to me. How badly I want to be that for her.
She reaches for me then—slowly, hesitantly. Her fingers brush against mine, testing, waiting. I don't pull away.
Instead, I lift a hand and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, my knuckles grazing her cheek.
"Ava," I murmur.
And just like that, the air shifts.
She leans in first.
I meet her halfway.
The kiss starts slow—like neither of us is sure we're allowed to take this step. But the moment our lips touch, hesitation shatters.
Her hands slide up my chest, fingers fisting in the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer. I grip her waist, steadying her, deepening the kiss until she's gasping against my mouth.
No pretending. No playing.
Just us.
Ava shifts, pressing closer, and I lose my grip on control. My hands slide over her back, then lower, gripping her hips as I push her down against the bed.
She exhales a soft, shuddering breath.
My lips find the curve of her jaw, the delicate line of her throat. I feel her swallow, feel the pulse thrumming beneath my mouth.
"Tell me to stop," I murmur against her skin, "and I will."
She shudders. "Don't. Don't stop."
I grip the hem of her dress and pull it up, over her head, leaving her in nothing but lace. My breath catches.
"You're unreal," I murmur.
She arches a brow. "And you're overdressed."
I chuckle darkly as she reaches for the buttons of my shirt, her fingers working quickly. As soon as it's off, her hands roam my chest, nails dragging lightly across my skin.
It's not enough.
I lower myself over her, pressing our bodies together, skin to skin, heat to heat. She gasps, her back arching as I trail kisses down her collarbone, over the swell of her breast.
Her fingers tangle in my hair. My hands trace every curve, memorizing, worshiping.
She's fire and silk, softness and steel, and I want all of it.
Her thighs part beneath me, and I settle between them, my hands gripping her hips.
I pause to look at her.
Because even now, even after everything, I need her to know this isn't just about lust.
"Ava," I rasp.
Her fingers trail over my jaw, tilting my chin down so I have no choice but to meet her gaze.
And then she whispers the one word that destroys me completely.
"Please."