Chapter 105 Liza #2
“Hey.” Sabrina joined the embrace. My best friend’s short blonde hair was unkempt, hinting at her restless nights and exhaustion. “It took us a while to get here, but we made it.”
“Surprised it took you this long.” I stepped back from their warm embrace. “I half expected you to be here when I arrived home.”
Sabrina slapped her hand on her chest dramatically.
“You realize it’s me we’re talking about?
I have a reputation for dramatic entrances to uphold.
Can’t have the people think I’m losing my touch.
” She grinned, but it did little to mask her obvious worry.
“Seriously, we would have been here earlier, but when Ty texted to let me know you were on your way home, he asked me to give it a couple of days. Are you okay? We’ve been out of our minds with concern. ”
“Really, Liza,” Rosalie added. “We couldn’t just sit around worrying about you, now, could we?”
“Of course not.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m really glad you’re both here.”
“Hey, what are best friends and cooking partners for?” Rosalie joked. The three of us laughed, and I could feel the bond between us strengthening.
I was relieved Sabrina had accepted the younger girl, and that they’d supported each other in my absence.
Although I’d only recently hired Rosalie, I worried about her.
She had an unmistakable aura of loneliness she tried to conceal, but there had been a couple of times in the kitchen I’d caught her off guard, lost in her thoughts, and looking terribly sad.
I would have to make sure we included her whenever possible and encourage her to step out of her shell.
“Come on, let’s get comfortable in the tearoom.”
I led Sabrina and Rosalie down the hall. The familiar scent of chamomile and lavender wafted through the air, soothing my frayed nerves.
It didn’t have the same effect on Sabrina.
She was pacing in front of me, frustration building up on every pass.
“I wish I could meet your kidnapper,” she said, taking on a fierce edge.
“Rory didn’t deserve to be hurt like that, and Ty said the kidnapper is your brother. What the actual fuck, Liza?!”
Rosalie nodded in agreement from where she perched on the edge of her seat.
Sabrina stopped moving, but she still had plenty to say. “I mean it, that’s a dick move. I’d love to give that fucker a piece of my mind. Hell, I’d kick his ass from here to kingdom come.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but my eyes flicked to the doorway. Liam leaned against the doorframe with a bemused smile on his face. He must have been listening to Sabrina’s rant, fully aware he was the subject of her ire.
“Speak of the Devil,” I mumbled, mentally bracing myself for the impending clash.
I paid close attention to Liam to see how he would react to her threats, readying myself to jump in between them if need be, but something unexpected happened. He didn’t do or say anything. He looked at Sabrina as if he was a man in the desert, and she was a glass of water.
“Apologies.” He tore his attention away from her. “I was just... lost in thought,” he confessed, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “Now, what was it you were saying about kicking my ass?” Liam’s voice had taken on a luxurious, velvety quality.
“Liam.” I pointed to Sabrina. “This is my best friend Sabrina Wells.” I placed special emphasis on best friend. “Sabrina, this is my half-brother Liam Russell.”
Sabrina’s eyes roamed over his entire body, a seductive smile forming on her lips. “You know what?” She chuckled throatily. “I’ve changed my mind. You can kidnap me anytime you please.”
“Yuck.” I wrinkled my nose in distaste. I could practically taste the sexual tension in the room, and I suddenly felt extremely protective of Sabrina.
She was human. She didn’t deserve to be caught up in this supernatural mess.
“Anyway,” I remarked, trying to diffuse the tension. “Let’s shift our focus to more pressing matters, like something to eat, and perhaps some upbeat gossip. We can discuss any… personal matters later.” I shot a pointed look at Liam, hoping he understood.
“Of course.” He nodded solemnly and left to go through to Ty’s office, leaving us girls to chat, though I didn’t miss the look he gave Sabrina.
The scent of freshly brewed tea and warm scones wafted through the air, embracing me like a comforting hug as I relaxed in the familiar surroundings of plush velvet chairs and delicate china teacups.
It was good to be back in a space without talk of war plans or tactics and enemies, even if just for a little while.
“Ah, I’ve missed this place.” Rosalie sighed and sank back into the chair, her face betraying the tension she carried.
“Don’t worry,” I said, reaching across the table and patting her arm “Once all the chaos has calmed down, we’ll get back to work. Your job here is still secure. I’ll keep paying your salary until this is all sorted.”
“Thanks, Liza.” The worry melted from her brow.
“I wasn’t sure what your plans would be, or if you were even going to continue.
” Her pale complexion did nothing to hide her embarrassment.
“I’ve been contemplating asking for my old job back.
I’m so glad I don’t have to. I’ve learned more from you in the short time I’ve worked here than I ever did there. ”
“I’m glad you’re happy here. Just remember that when we’re rushed off our feet and you haven’t had a day off.
” I laughed. I was so pleased it was working out the way I’d hoped.
One of my goals in my business was to train an apprentice.
She was a gifted cook, she just lacked confidence, but I’d soon change that.
As we sat drinking tea and spreading cream and jam onto scones, we chatted about the happenings in the town, and Sabrina shared stories of the outpouring of love she’d seen from our patrons since my disappearance.
“Seriously,” Sabrina said between bites, catching the dripping jam with her napkin. “You wouldn’t believe how many people were asking about you. There were cards, flowers, even a few teddy bears left at your office.”
“Really?” I asked, genuinely touched. “That’s incredibly sweet.”
“I told you… you’re loved.” Sabrina winked. “Now you just have to make sure you stay safe so we can keep it that way.”
“Speaking of...” Rosalie chewed on her thumbnail. “How are you holding up with all this craziness?”
“Truthfully?” The steam rose from my cup of tea as I took a sip, the familiar taste grounding me, helping me collect my scattered thoughts. “It’s been... difficult, but I’m handling it. My parents have been amazing, and with Ty and Liam by my side, I feel even more empowered.
“Good.” Sabrina was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “Just remember we’re here for you too, okay?”
Rosalie echoed the sentiment.
“Thank you.” Their unwavering support meant so much to me.
Just as Sabrina was about to entertain us with more gossip from the town, a commotion from downstairs interrupted our conversation. My wolf immediately tensed within me, sensing the disruption of the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.
I rose from my seat and headed toward the door.
The instinct to protect my friends, both human and otherwise, surged within me like a powerful current, propelling me into action.
As I hurried toward the source of the noise, my thoughts raced with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last. What danger awaited me this time?
The house was a mess of chaos; the noise bouncing off the walls as I rushed down the stairs. My wolf’s hackles were raised, fur bristling beneath my skin as we prepared for whatever threat was waiting for us. The scent of anger and fear hung heavy in the air, guiding me to the source.
“Stay here,” I growled at Sabrina and Rosalie, who had followed me before racing down the remaining steps. I rounded the corner into the living room and skidded to a halt at the sight before me.
Liam had Nico pinned to the wall by his throat, and his razor-sharp claws were perilously close to the main artery. Nico’s face was contorted with fear as he desperately clutched Liam’s wrists, struggling to break free.
The memory of telling Liam about Castro and Nico’s involvement in our father’s death resurfaced like a tidal wave. I cursed inwardly, realizing my confession may have triggered this violent confrontation.
“Liam, let him go!” I rushed forward, grabbing his arm in an attempt to pull him away from Nico.
“Why should I?” Liam snarled. “He helped kill our father. He doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”
“Because he didn’t know,” I shot back, trying to appeal to Liam’s rational side. “He was completely unaware of Castro’s motives. He’s not responsible for what happened.”
Liam hesitated, his attention flicking between Nico and me as he weighed his options. My muscles burned with the effort of keeping my wolf in check. Liam’s aura, so like my own, had every instinct in my body screaming to protect my family, to ensure their safety at any cost.
“Please,” I begged. “He’s not a threat, Liam. Let him go.”
The tension in the room was so thick, it had the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Liam’s aura made the timber walls groan and heave beneath its power.
My wolf paced restlessly within me, gnashing her teeth, desperate to be released and eliminate this threat to our family.
She strained against the confines of my skin, raring to shift and protect.
To protect Liam and Ty, even though Nico wasn’t a threat.
It was a gut reaction. A primal instinct that clawed at my insides, urging me to act.
“Enough!” Ty’s low rumble echoed around the walls as he strode in as every inch the alpha he was born to be. “Release him.”
“Stay out of this, Ty,” Liam snapped as he glared daggers at my mate, but Ty held his ground, his own aura rising to challenge Liam.
“Listen to yourself.” Ty’s eyes never left Liam, watching his every movement. He was poised and tensed, ready to jump in if Liam took it any further. “This isn’t you. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”
“Maybe my judgment needs to be clouded.” Liam tightened his grip on Nico’s throat a fraction more. “Maybe I need justice.”
“Justice?” Ty scoffed, taking another step closer. “You call this justice? Attacking someone who’s already suffered enough.”
The struggle between my human self and my wolf was reaching a breaking point. The atmosphere in the room was electric. The slightest spark would set off an explosion. I clenched my fists, with my nails biting into my palms, but it wasn’t enough to keep the wolf at bay.
“Get away from him,” I snarled, sounding rough and guttural to my own ears.
How could I control something so primal, so raw? It was like trying to tame a wildfire with a single bucket of water. My wolf’s fierce desperation to protect our family—Liam, Ty, and even Nico—from any harm overwhelmed me.
“Please.” I dropped to my knees as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Liza,” Sabrina’s voice cut through the chaos, drawing everyone’s attention. She hurriedly made her way to my side and brushed my hair out of my face. “What’s happening to you?”