Chapter Liam
LIAM
As I walk into Titus with Taryn on my arm, I realize—too late—that I should never have told her that I like her in green.
I try to surreptitiously adjust myself as we offer our coats to the valet.
She looks amazing in a bright jade dress.
I swear to God, her legs are a mile long in this getup.
She has to be wearing it just to fuck with me.
She looks like she belongs on a pedestal, and I swear to Christ, at some point, I’ll find a way to pull her off it to make her mine.
She ignored me the entire week. Didn’t answer a single text.
Wasn’t in any of the places I looked for her.
It was only because I’ve turned into a fucking stalker that I found her in the coffeehouse.
I sat outside her townhouse and followed her into campus yesterday, but got sidetracked when some girl “accidentally” ran into me before I could join Taryn inside.
I had to help the clumsy chick pick up all her books, lipsticks, and a package of condoms before I could go find the redheaded siren whose song I’ve been dancing to since our engagement became final.
“This place is ridiculous,” Taryn grouses, turning to me. She’s taking in her plush surroundings. Dark wood. Deep hues. The smell of expensive perfume, cognac, and wealth.
“You haven’t been here before?” Hell, I’ve only been in New York for college, and I’ve already been here three, maybe four, times.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t like to associate with these types of people.”
I tilt my head back and laugh. “Honestly, beauty, while the feral princess act looks fucking fantastic on you, you might want to rein it in a little.”
She gasps.
“These types of people include your father and brother, who are likely going to be in the room.”
Her mouth hinges open.
“Although, if you want to run that mouth more when we’re alone, I’m all for it.” I wink at her.
“Why will they be here?” she whispers. I like how close she leans in when she does.
I put my arm around her. Pull her closer. “I told you some of Rowan’s men would be here.”
Her eyes widen as if it just dawned on her.
“Sorry, I should have clarified. I know you’re still getting used to all of this.” As much as it amazes me, she really has no idea what type of world she lives in. “You can ask me anything you want later.”
She studies my face. “Do you mean that?”
I stop walking. Turn to face her. “I won’t ever tell you anything I don’t mean.”
I don’t know what she sees in my expression but she nods. Swallows. “Thank you, Liam.”
“You’re welcome. By the way, did I tell you how phenomenal you look tonight?”
She blushes. “Yes. A dozen times.”
I wrap my arm around her waist. “It’s not enough. Seriously. I’m proud to have you by my side.”
This time, she stops walking. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“What did I just tell you?”
She nods again before threading her arm through mine. Nice.
Taryn stumbles a bit when we walk into the private room that’s been reserved.
Seeing her brother and father in a professional setting is probably odd for her.
She leaves me to go talk to her Da, and I can’t say I enjoy how many sets of eyes follow her ass as she does.
I’m frowning in her direction when Rowan claps a hand on my shoulder.
“Looks like things are going well,” he comments, “despite your current expression.”
I hum in response.
“Thank you for bringing her tonight. It helps.”
I understand his meaning. We all want to show our top lieutenants that this alliance is happening. That they have permission to speak to one another. Candidly.
“I don’t want to stay long,” I tell him. “I don’t think Taryn is comfortable here. Were you aware that Mick hasn’t told her anything about what he does?”
Rowan shrugs. “Did you expect him to?”
I guffaw. “Don’t you think she should understand the threats? Or, hell, why she had to change her life plans to suddenly get married?”
Rowan has the good grace to look chagrined. “Her life plan should have always been to serve the clan, but I get your point. She should know what to look out for.”
I can only imagine how Taryn would feel about his statement. “She’s a smart person, Row. She has the capacity to understand a great deal. To contribute a great deal.” I don’t know why I’m pushing this. She’s gotten in my head.
“Well, then I guess it’ll be your job to educate her.”
Taryn slips her arm around my waist and kisses my cheek. To say that I almost fall over in shock would be an understatement.
“Liam.” Mick Walsh holds out a hand. “I see you’re taking good care of my girl.”
I smile at Taryn’s father. His girl. I suppose I can live with that. He’s probably the only person on the planet I’m willing to share her with. Kind of. “I’d say Taryn is capable of taking care of herself, but I feel lucky to have her on my arm tonight, yes.”
Mick chuckles at this. “I’ve been speaking with Darragh Boyle. We’re going to set up a time for Rafferty to tour one of your clubs that’s been having some issues. See the security setup.”
I feel Taryn stiffen next to me. She has no idea why her big brother would be useful in this instance, so mostly for her benefit, I reply, “Raff is great at surveillance. That will be a tremendous help, Mr. Walsh. Thank you.”
He nods. Proud. “Call me, Mick, son.”
I smile. “Thank you. Mick.”
For another hour or so, we make small talk with a few of the men and their wives, and then I ask Taryn if she’s ready to leave.
As we head to get our coats, she asks, “My mother wasn’t here. Do the wives usually come?”
I consider this. “Some do. Some don’t. There isn’t a rule about it.
I suppose the couples work it out for themselves.
” It’s obvious to me that Mick Walsh wants to keep all of the women in his life sheltered.
I don’t comment on that, however. I suppose that’s his prerogative.
At least, it was until now. Like I told Taryn, she’s mine now.
I don’t see the benefit of keeping her in the dark.
“You mean, the husbands tell the wives when they’re needed?”
I consider this. “Sometimes. Probably. But none of them—except for you—were needed tonight. I’m sure it was a nice evening out for some of them. You’ll almost always have a choice of whether to attend these things once we’re married.”
“Once we’re married,” she repeats. “Right.”
After a moment, she asks, “Do you think Raff will be helpful? In Chicago?”
I nod. “It can’t hurt to have fresh eyes. If it were you, what would you look for?”
She pauses. “Uh. Wow. I’m not sure. Maybe new people on the payroll at the clubs. Or dead zones in the security footage?”
Yes. Those are the typical places to start.
Rather than tell her that she’s come up with the basics, I hope I sound encouraging when I say, “That makes sense. I wonder if we missed something with those checks.” It’s possible.
I ask her a few more questions and I’m pleased when she answers thoughtfully about the business.
“I wonder if Raff would tell me more about what he does,” she ponders.
“It can’t hurt to ask,” I tell her. “If not, I’m happy to tell you what I can.” As long as she doesn’t want to know more about Nolan’s work, I have a feeling we can stay on safe ground. I mean, I’m happy to tell her, but I don’t want to be responsible for changing the way she sees her big brother.
When we arrive at her place, she shocks me once again when she asks, in a small voice, if I want to come inside.
She must have questions about some of the things she heard this evening, so I agree.
Hell, I’d agree to pretty much anything if it means spending more time with her.
It has taken a miraculous effort not to keep staring at her bare legs, but I think I’ve done a pretty decent job.
I can manage it for a little while longer.
She leads me upstairs to some sort of game room before announcing, “I have to change out of this dress.”
I refrain from asking her if she needs any help. I feel like we’re making progress tonight. No need to rush things. Even if my dick disagrees.
Soon enough, Taryn saunters back into the room, only she’s lost the dress and is wearing sweatpants and this cropped V-neck T-shirt that fits her perfectly.
It molds to her tempting tits and shows a hint of cleavage at the neckline.
I swallow and force myself to pull my gaze off her boobs.
Not great, because I can also see a hint of smooth skin at her waistline. Yeah. She’s definitely fucking with me.
She drops beside me on the couch, and as I suspected, she begins with her interrogation.
I answer each question honestly, still amazed that she has no idea what business her family is in.
When I finish explaining the way our clubs are run, how they are a front for laundering our money, how our investors are involved and what products—mostly drugs and weapons—we transport, she sits quietly for a minute.
Then, she looks down at her hands as she tells me, “I heard what you said tonight. To Rowan.” I said a few things, so I have no idea what she’s talking about. It must show on my face because she continues. “About how I’m capable of contributing.” Ah. That explains the kiss on the cheek.
“I was only stating the obvious.”
She nods at this. Then, shocking the hell out of me, she moves to my lap and straddles me. I nearly swallow my tongue.
“Thank you,” she breathes with a soft smile on her face.
“You’re welcome,” I answer hoarsely, even if I don’t know what she’s thanking me for. Shit. I’m hard instantly and I curse my lack of control. I don’t need to scare her off because I definitely won’t be able to hide the effect she has on me.
She bites her bottom lip. Her fingers splay in my messy hair. I try to control my breathing as her nails scratch lightly against my scalp. “Taryn?”