Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
The blare of the alarm startled her from a deep sleep.
She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her body protested, begging for more rest. How traitorous. First, she couldn’t sleep, and then it demanded more.
Her mind lingered on the quiet moment with Liam last night. He’d given her some food for thought. Maybe she didn’t have to do it alone.
She’d burrowed into the bed and fallen asleep surrounded by the smell she was beginning to crave.
Her heart was in trouble. Her brain told her to not read too much into anything with Liam.
He was doing his job. He was probably like this with all of his witnesses.
Tending to them physically and emotionally.
Keeping them relaxed, happy, and safe was his job. It put bad guys behind bars.
She pushed all thoughts of Liam to the back of her mind. She needed to focus on getting ready for work.
Showered and with her hair in a French braid, Sam left the room feeling more refreshed. The scent of Columbian roast coffee filled the hallway. She followed her nose.
Liam sat at the kitchen table, dressed in a soft-blue button-down shirt and black slacks. A Bible lay open in front of him, his hand wrapped around a cup of coffee.
He looked up when she entered the room. “Morning. Help yourself to some coffee.” He turned his attention back to the book.
Sugar packets, a small carton of milk, and creamer were situated next to the coffeepot.
“I wasn’t sure how you took your coffee, or if you even drank it, so I got everything out.” He closed the Bible.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She nodded at his Bible.
“You didn’t. I finished. What do you and Bella usually do for breakfast? I wasn’t sure if y’all were eggs-and-bacon kind of people.”
A flutter began in her stomach. She was just hungry. “I usually eat a protein bar on the way to the station, and Bella has cereal before school.”
“Well, she and Sophia are going to get along, then. Assuming they like the same cereal.”
“If it’s fruity and covered in milk, she’ll be happy.”
“Good thing we have that.” He smiled. “I thought I’d take you to work this morning since, you know, your car is otherwise unavailable.”
“I’d appreciate it. I’m sure I could get a ride on the Renegade Rides app, but they’re probably all asleep.”
“No need for that. I’ve got you covered.
” Liam nodded. “Speaking of the girls, I think it’s best if we pull them from school.
We don’t know who is behind the shooting and if they might try anything at the school.
If they’re with me at all times, I can keep them safe.
We don’t want to put any of the other students in danger. ”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Sam hesitated, realizing how much she was beginning to rely on Liam—not just as a handler but as someone she might trust. It was unfamiliar territory, and part of her bristled at it, but another part whispered that maybe, for once, she didn’t have to carry the weight alone.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought maybe the girls and I could show up at the station for lunch. What time do you guys usually eat?”
She turned and leaned against the cabinet. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure you’ve got lots of work to do.”
“Actually, it is necessary. I need to keep an eye on everyone, and since we are, quote-unquote, ‘dating,’ lunch is the best opportunity to check in.”
“What about your job?”
“You are my job, remember?” He stood up and placed his cup in the sink. “If you’d prefer, you can take some time off and we can all hang out here.”
“As tempting as that is, I’d rather work.” This wasn’t her home. She would be more comfortable at the station, where she could be doing things that needed to be done. “Unless you think it’s necessary. I’m sure Captain Bennett will be able to find a replacement.”
“I figured you’d want to keep working. We don’t have a lot to go on, so I don’t know that taking time off and holing up is the answer.
I also don’t know that it’s not the answer.
The drive-by was the first physical attack.
And if it was related to the boy that was following you at the outlet mall, then I think the girls might be the target, not you. ”
Should she be relieved? “That makes sense.”
“Which means the girls will be with me twenty-four seven until this is resolved. Let me go wake them up.”
Sam looked at her watch. “Have you seen what time it is?”
“Apology pancakes always work with Sophia.” He grinned and started to leave. “Oh. Should you be the one to wake them up? I mean, I know Sophia sleeps in pajama pants and a shirt. I don’t want to—” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Isabella too. But I’ll go wake them up.”
She flipped on the light and told the girls to get up and get dressed. They moaned and groaned until they buckled into the SUV, then they leaned against the doors and closed their eyes.
Liam pulled the SUV up to the fire station and put it in Park.
Sam grabbed the door handle. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you about noon?” The station tried to keep a regular schedule as much as possible. Of course, emergencies didn’t have a schedule. “I’ll let you know if we get called out.”
She opened the door and hopped out, tossing the duffel bag over her shoulder. Liam’s door clicked shut, and he met her at the hood of his SUV.
Heat climbed her neck. “I can walk myself inside.”
“I know you can, but can’t a guy get out and tell his girlfriend goodbye?” He slipped the duffel bag off her shoulder with one hand and grabbed her hand in his other.
She stared down at their joined hands. Such a strange feeling. She liked it. She hadn’t held hands with anyone lately but Bella. Warmth spread from his hand to her stomach.
“Ready.” He squeezed her hand.
“I’m quite capable of carrying my bag. I could actually carry you with ease.” She trained for that exact scenario. “What are the guys going to think when they see this? They’re not going to trust that I can rescue them if the need arises.”
“I highly doubt me carrying your bag one time is going to erase six years of working with you and witnessing what you’re capable of from their minds.”
“True.” They walked hand in hand to the station lobby, the girls leading the way so they weren’t alone even for a few minutes while he walked Sam in.
“We’ll let you go from here.” He handed her bag over and she took it.
Then he leaned forward. She held her breath. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek, then leaned into her ear. “We have an audience.”
Her cheeks flamed. Of course it was all for show. This wasn’t real.
He pulled back. “See you at lunch.” He turned and walked back out to the SUV with the girls. She watched as they drove off before walking into the dayroom.
Greer gasped. “It’s true. You’re fraternizing with the enemy.” He bit his knuckle and turned to the group gathered around the kitchen island. “Sam has gone to the dark side. This calls for an intervention!”
“Why settle for the donut patrol when you could have a real man like me?” Ryan Calloway, the ladder engineer from the night shift, flexed his bicep and waggled his eyebrows.
Sam dropped her chin to her chest and held in her laugh. These guys were too much sometimes.
“All right, knock it off.” Dean laughed. “Give her some space. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes in their life.” He walked over and gave her a hug.
“Har har.” She hugged him back.
“Seriously.” Greer’s expression sobered. “We’re glad you’re okay.” He gave her a hug.
“And on behalf of Station 4,” Captain Bennett said as he stepped up, “we’ve all chipped in some money to help you and Bella out on your new place.” He offered an envelope.
Tears burned her eyes. “You guys didn’t have to do that.” Emotion filled her voice.
“Of course we did. You’re one of us. When you hurt, we hurt.” This from Murph. “Fair warning, there are fundraiser plans in the making as well.”
This was what family was like. Taking care of each other when things were wrong. She had always been the one taking care of herself or Bella. Having people actually care about her was so foreign. She swallowed hard. She wasn’t going to cry. Not here. Not now. “You guys are amazing. Thank you.”
The guys each took turns hugging her and offering words of encouragement. Then they split up and went their different ways to start their daily tasks.
“Dean.” She jogged after him. “How are Cass and the boys?”
“They’re good. I packed them up and sent them to Cass’s parents until I can get the damage fixed.”
“I’m sorry. I should never have stayed with you guys.” Her stomach roiled. She’d put her friends in danger.
“Please don’t beat yourself up over this. It was not your fault. Besides, Cass wanted to repaint the front room anyway. I told her one day we would. And look, it’s happening, and we don’t have to pay for it.” He smiled brightly before pulling her to his side. “Seriously, don’t stress, okay?”
“I’ll try not to.” She hugged him back and made a mental note to call Cass later and apologize to her personally.
Even with Liam on the case and the girls protected, it didn’t mean that the people Sam cared about wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
Liam pulled the SUV into the station parking lot at ten ’til noon. Samantha hadn’t rung or texted to let him know they’d been called out, so he’d loaded the girls up to have lunch at the station. He held the lobby door open for them and followed them inside.
A man a few inches shorter than Liam, with dark hair and a baby face, greeted them. “Bella. How’s it going?” He held up his fist, which Bella bumped with her own.
“Greer, this is my friend Sophia,” Bella said.
“Nice to meet you, Sophia.” He held his fist up for her, and she bumped it.
“I’m Liam Roberts.” Liam stepped forward and held his hand out.
Greer took hold and gave it a too-firm shake. Liam recognized it for what it was. A show of masculinity. He wouldn’t be surprised if there was a “don’t hurt her” conversation coming.