“We’ve been instructed to ensure you make it home.” Gerald isn’t giving up.
She turns her attention to me. “See, I told you.” Maria lobs the ball into my court.
To my surprise, she holds up incredibly well, falling right in line. I told her it was best to stick as close to the truth as possible. No lie ever withstands the test of time, or a true interrogation. The truth, embellished, is our friend.
“We’re on our way back to the Belvedere as it is, so no reason for you to hang around. You should run along. I wouldn’t want Maria’s mother to worry unnecessarily, especially with our news. You can safely report that Maria is in good hands.”
“And whose hands would those be?” Like a dog with a bone, Gerald is not letting this go, nor is he getting the hint.
“Liam.” I shove my hand out. “Liam Cartwright. Now, if you don’t mind, we’d like to finish our morning coffee unmolested.”
“Miss Rossi.” Gerald turns toward Maria, completely ignoring my extended hand. “You need to come with us.”
30
MARIA
Liam stands with his hand outstretched, letting the offense of not having his handshake returned lengthen.
I’ve seen things like this before, intended snubs that leave a man, literally, hanging. Almost every time, the arm falls and a shift in the power balance goes toward the one who snubbed the first.
My uncle does that all the time. It’s uncomfortable. Not just for whoever he’s taking down a notch, but for those of us who witness the snub.
Liam doesn’t let his hand drop. He keeps it outstretched, steady as a rock. Masquerading as a venture capitalist, everything about him screams power, wealth, pretense, and social standing.
“I’m going to say this as politely as I can.” Liam takes a step toward Gerald, getting in his personal space. His hand remains up, but instead of a shake, Liam forcibly grasps Gerald’s shoulder. “You have five seconds to leave me and my fiancée alone. Run back to your mistress like a good little dog. Inform her I will bring Maria back when I’m damn well ready and not a moment sooner.”
Wolfe and Brady shift, closing in on Gerald and Stefan. It’s a formidable thing to witness. I swear they barely move, but the tension in the room escalates a thousand-fold, brimming with lethality and male bravado.
I’m really glad there’s practically no one in the coffee shop. The one couple who was sitting at the window grabbed their coffees and rushed outside the moment Gerald and Stefan entered. The baristas cower behind the counter, saying nothing, as the standoff escalates.
“Do we understand one another?” Liam’s grip on Gerald’s shoulder tightens.
Behind him, Wolfe unbuttons his jacket, revealing a shoulder holster and the weapon nestled inside. Brady does the same. Gerald holds up his hands, palms out. Stefan does the same.
“It would really be a shame for things to get out of hand here, don’t you agree?” Liam releases his grip and pats Gerald’s shoulder.
“We’re not looking for any trouble. We just want to ensure Miss Rossi is safe.”
“Miss Rossi is very safe … with me.” Liam’s tone turns darkly possessive. “Unlike your shoddy protection, I would never lose her. You can also explain to Mrs. Rossi that Maria’s with me now.”
Stefan says nothing during the entire exchange. His face grows paler and paler by the second. Brady covers Stefan, while Liam and Wolfe focus their attention on Gerald.
“Miss Rossi …” Gerald takes a step back, conceding ground. “You really should come with us.”
“Please tell my mother that while I appreciate her concern, I’m a grown woman capable of making my own choices. Liam and I are enjoying spending time together. Lord knows we don’t get nearly enough of it.” I rise gracefully from my chair and move to stand beside Liam.
Surrounded by five overly large, overly muscular, overly alpha men, I feel about two-feet tall, but I’ve learned to fake confidence.
I gently grasp Liam’s wrist and lift his arm up and over my shoulder. Leaning against him, I place my palm over his chest. Turning back toward Gerald, I have a little fun.
“In fact, why don’t you tell mother I’ll be busy the rest of the day? I’ll see her at brunch tomorrow, and I’ll be bringing a guest.” I lift on tiptoe to kiss Liam’s cheek while Gerald sputters. “It’s definitely time to meet my mother.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Liam returns the warmth of my smile, magnifying it a thousand-fold with his megawatt smile.
If I don’t watch myself, I could fall for this man.
As for Gerald, he already knows he’s lost, but he doesn’t know how to back down gracefully. He sputters and coughs at my words. I add to them, sending a direct message to my mother. Even though it flows through Gerald, there’s no doubt my mother will extract every word verbatim from his mouth.
“It’s been a really long night, sweetie. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.” I leave my words flagrantly suggestive, realizing only after they leave my mouth how much I would enjoy such a thing.
If Liam doesn’t shy away from showing his interest. Why should I?
Because, you’re just a job to him, that’s why.
Yeah, right.
It’s easy to forget we’re not actually out on a date. This sucks. I need to get out of here, away from my uncle’s men, and find someplace quiet where I can think through everything that’s happening.
With my active imagination, I plan out a really epic departure, but the execution of that plan turns comical in real life.
I imagine dragging Liam behind me as I squeeze past Gerald and head to the door, head high, shoulders back, completely in control. Liam and I would then head toward the Belvedere, unmolested and alone, where I would march him up to my apartment, close the door, take a much-needed nap, and maybe explore a few things on my adventurous list with Liam in bed.
That’s not what happens.
I grip Liam’s wrist. I try to lift his arm off my shoulder, but he tucks me in, closer to his side, and kisses the top of my head. He releases his grip on Gerald’s shoulder. There’s a moment where they stare at each other. I swear they growl at each other, but that might be my imagination at play.
After a tense moment, Gerald takes a step back, pivoting out of the way. Stefan does the same, only he takes two steps back. Liam pulls me into the breech as Wolfe and Brady fall in lockstep behind us.
I think we’re headed to the Belvedere, but Liam angles me toward a black stretch SUV waiting by the curb. He holds the door for me as I climb in. Sitting inside the SUV is none other than Forest Summers, looking paler than I remember, and Mitzy, with her psychedelic hair.
“Hey, Maria. How’re you holding up?” Mitzy’s bubbly presence not only brings a smile to my face but drains all my tension.
“It’s been a night.” I slide across the leather seat to let Liam and the others inside. “You won’t believe what we did.”
“You taught a bunch of muggers a lesson. Tore up the dance floor. And faced down your uncle’s men.” She beams at me, looking pleased.
“How did you …?” I look to Liam.