“You continue to impress me, Miss Maria Rossi.”
She nibbles on her lower lip, unsure and insecure.
“That’s what we teach our rescues.”
“Your what?”
“The women we save. Well, the women, the kids, and the young men who would kill me if they ever heard me calling them boys. We call them our rescues and teach them how to defend themselves at The Facility. We do a whole hell of a lot more than that, but that’s what the Guardians do.”
“I feel like there’s so much more to know about the Guardians.”
“There’s layers upon layers.”
“That story Forest told …” She hesitates. “Is it true?”
“Every word.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah.”
“He seems so normal.”
“There’s nothing normal about Forest Summers.”
23
MARIA
“Are you ready?” Liam gazes at me, heat banked for the moment; male arousal simmers in the background.
I’m not the only one affected by that kiss.
“I’m terrified.”
“It’s just a night out. Let your hair down, have a few drinks. I’ll take you to the dance floor. We’ll have fun. That’s all this needs to be.”
I run my hands up and down my arms when a sudden chill overcomes me. My attention shifts from Liam to the door leading outside.
I do that on purpose because I don’t want my gaze to slip down to the prominent bulge between Liam’s legs. That’s a dangerous path for my eyes to travel, let alone my mind.
I know very little about Liam, but the whole alliteration thing … flirts, fucks, and flees … is something to be cautious about.
Although, who am I kidding? Am I any different?
My virginity went out like that the summer of my sweet sixteen: flirt, fuck, and flee. I didn’t date while in college, but I was far from abstinent. When the urge arose, I took care of the itch.
When Sybil and I go out, invariably it’s because that itch is back. I’m a young woman with needs. Men aren’t the only ones who can engage in meaningless sex.
As for relationships, is it odd I’ve never been in a serious one?
“You have nothing to be scared about when I’m around.” The low, husky sound of Liam’s voice sends warm tendrils of anticipation rushing down my spine.
Hot licks of fiery passion spark and sizzle, they’re promises of what things might become if I let them.
If I let myself believe Liam can be something other than what he is … a man doing a job assigned to him.
“Does nothing scare you?” I look into the turbulent depths of Liam’s eyes.
Evidence of his arousal lingers, but there’s something else there as well; a ferocious protector lurks in the background.
No wonder the man is a Guardian. He’s dedicated to making the world a better place, safer for those of us who lack his tenacity, strength, and ability to make a difference.
“Fear is a mind-killer.” The words roll off his tongue, deep, rumbly, and sinfully addictive.
“Are you quoting Dune to me?”
His laughter warms the air, wrapping around me like a soothing blanket.
“You read Dune?”
“Guilty as charged and proud of it. I’m a voracious reader of all things sci-fi.”
“I devoured the series as a child. That phrase always stuck with me.” Liam glances over my shoulder, looking outside at the car waiting for us.
“Me too.”
“The few times I faced fear, I let that passage rumble through my mind. It never failed to give me the strength I needed. I truly believe what separates us from animals is the ability to stare fear in the face and conquer it.”
“I wish I had that kind of strength.”
The phrase is iconic among science fiction Dune fanatics. It’s a truth seldom expressed but foundational.
Fear is a paralyzing force. If not confronted, it can be incapacitating.
“You’re stronger than you know.” The way Liam looks at me makes me want to believe.
“I’ve never felt real fear.” My gaze bounces down to his chest, seeking solace.
“Then, you’ve never been tested. All fear is a manifestation of your mind. As the master of your mind, you control your fear.”
“You say it like it’s easy.”
“I say what I know. Believe me, I’ve been in plenty of situations where fear nipped at the fringes of my mind.” Liam taps the middle of my forehead. “Believe it here.” His hand moves over the middle of my chest. “Feel it here.”
I want to believe him. My life’s been easy. Not one time have I been afraid.
But Sybil?
She faces a fear I can’t imagine.
The idea of being kidnapped and sold is terrifying and paralyzing but academic to me. I can think about it. I can imagine it. But I have no understanding of what true fear feels like.
“Do you think there’s any news about Sybil?”
I hope he knows something I don’t.
“My brothers are on it, and Guardians never fail.”
“You have incredible faith in your team.”
Liam doesn’t respond. Although, what kind of response do I expect?
Sybil, I hope you’re safe. I pray the Guardians pull through and rescue you.
“You’ve got this, princess.”
“Then we’d better hurry up before I lose my nerve.”
“After you.” He gestures toward the door.
While I pivot, he opens the door for me. He places his hand on the small of my back, gently guiding me as I exit Rose Manor.
New Orleans is hot and humid during the day, sweltering and sultry at night. The moment I walk out, a wall of heat slams into me. I breathe in the moist air and close my eyes.
I can do this.
We cross the short distance to the car. Liam opens the door, and I slip inside. The driver looks up from his phone and glances at me through the rearview mirror. He waits for Liam to walk around to the other side of the vehicle and get in. When Liam sits, the driver looks at him.
“Where to?” He swipes the screen of his phone, loading up a map, and inputs the information as Liam rattles off an address in the French Quarter.
Liam and I sit in relative silence as the driver takes us back to the city.
My cues come from Liam. He’s quiet; therefore I remain the same. I assume it’s because of the driver, and it makes sense. We need to be careful talking about anything to do with Guardian HRS and the foul business my family’s involved in.
Liam’s long legs barely fit in the back of the car. His shoulder brushes against mine. His arm presses against me. His muscular thigh touches mine. Heat radiates from him, warming the entire left side of my body. The one thing which doesn’t touch me are his hands.
He folds those in his lap, fingers loosely clasped as he stares out the front of the car. When not looking at him, I watch the city close in on us and think about that kiss.
Swoon-worthy comes to mind.
Eventually, my thoughts turn to my uncle.
When I stand across from Marco’s disapproving frown and attempt to hide everything I’ve learned about my family, how will that play out?