It’s our thing now, one of those things unique to a couple. Giving it up for my love doesn’t sit well with me.
I’m not eager to surrender princess, but it feels as if Liam Cartwright would dote on his bride-to-be. For now, my love it is.
Some of what I said to Maria’s mother is a whole lot truer than I’d like to think. In the short time Maria and I have spent together, she’s doing far more than growing on me. I may, in fact, be falling in love with my princess.
If I was in love with her, however, I wouldn’t be following her up a flight of stairs to her private quarters. I’d yank her out of the Belvedere so fast she wouldn’t know what was happening, and then I’d tell Forest, Sam, CJ, and Mitzy to shove their plan up their respective asses. Because I’d never put Maria in danger if I truly loved her.
Instead, I admire her sexy legs as she climbs a few steps in front of me and commit myself to completing this mission.
“I’m looking forward to a bit of shut eye.” I rub at the back of my neck.
“Are you?” Maria twists to look at me over her shoulder. “And here I was looking forward to a shower.”
“I’m up for a shower.”
“Are you?” The direction of her gaze shifts to my crotch. Her tone goes from teasing to downright seductive. “Who said you were invited to share my shower?”
With that, she gives a little wiggle of her ass while I eagerly close the distance between us.
Behind me, Wolfe and Brady groan.
37
MARIA
Giddy and walking on cloud nine, I can’t believe what happened back there. The way Liam dressed my mother down does all kinds of things to my insides.
First, there was the mortification jelling my blood. Mother is her cruelest at the most inopportune times. It’s almost as if she saves up for the moments where her words will cut the deepest.
Her weaponized words do that and more. Ripping and shredding from the inside out as she cuts me down and treats me as a recalcitrant child. I wanted to curl into a ball and hide under a rock.
I’m not sure what I expected Liam to do, but standing up for me was the last thing on my mind. Holy hell, he didn’t hold his punches. I’ve never seen anyone dress MD down the way he systematically took the wind out of her sails. She tried putting him in his place, using a derogative name, and he didn’t hesitate striking back.
The best part was watching my mother retreat.
She’ll get reinforcements. There’s no doubt she’s doing that right now, but he shook her. Liam struck at her foundations and my mother felt the shifting in power.
As for what comes next, I’m not entirely sure what we’re supposed to do for the rest of the day. I’m even more confused about brunch tomorrow. I think she said we could come, minus Wolfe and Brady, but I’m not sure.
Our entire mission depends on getting access to my uncle’s house. Mitzy’s certain the information the Guardians need to shut down his human-trafficking operation won’t be found within the walls of the Belvedere. She wants records of all the women who’ve been sold.
After that interaction between Liam and my mother, that standing invitation should’ve been revoked, but there will be a face-to-face with my mother tomorrow.
She saw the ring.
A yawn slips out as I reach the top of the stairs.
“You doing okay?” Liam bends forward to place a kiss on my shoulder.
“Tired? Overwhelmed?” My body is beyond exhausted. I press my palm to the bio-lock on the door leading into my private rooms.
Liam enters after me, but Wolfe and Brady stay behind.
“What are they doing?” My brows tug together.
“Sweeping for more bugs.”
“There won’t be any in the stairwell.”
“Were there supposed to be any in your office?”
“No.” I nibble on my lower lip, thinking about it. “Maybe?”
Liam pulls me to him. His arms wrap around me, and his fingers interlock at the small of my back.
“Stop doing that.” His voice rumbles with something needy and primal.
“Stop what?”
“Nibbling on your lip. Makes me want to kiss you.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
I have an idea about what I want to happen next. It may even be enough to fill up the rest of the day.
I stop nibbling on my lower lip, but that’s only to sweep my tongue out to moisten my lips.
“Woman, you will be the death of me.” He rocks his groin against me, letting me know he’s turned on.
“All clear.” Brady exits the stairwell.
“Did you find any?” Liam’s attention shifts to the dark opening.
“Nothing in the stairwell.” Wolfe enters next. Both men immediately scan the room.
“Good.” Liam jerks his head to the left, toward the bedroom. “Begin your next sweep in the bed and bath.”
“On it, boss.” Brady heads into my bedroom. I left in a hurry last night and hope I didn’t leave too much of a mess behind.
Wolfe closes the door to the stairwell. “Does this thing have a lock, or can anyone with the right biometrics enter?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Who else might have access to it?” Wolfe definitely doesn’t shy away from grilling me.
“Me, and the security team, obviously.”
“What about your uncle? Or mother?”
“I switched everything out when I moved in. They shouldn’t.”
“Shouldn’t?” Liam releases me and wanders around my living room.
“My uncle is more than capable of obtaining a key to any part of the Belvedere. My mother wouldn’t. She’d tell my uncle.”
“This is a nice place.” Liam spins around.
I’m a minimalist at heart and that reflects in my decor. Clean, straight lines define the place. There are few decorations: an art piece on the table, a painting on the wall, and virtually no personal touches. My view is stunning, looking out on New Orleans. I try to see my apartment through Liam’s eyes. It’s stark, empty, and barely lived in, but I like it. I abhor clutter.
“Thank you.”
My apartment makes up a good chunk of the floor it’s on. The only other thing on this level is the security suite.
“Wondering how to place my men.” Liam turns to Wolfe. “Brady’s sweeping the bedroom and bath for bugs. You should start in here. Once done, Maria and I will be retiring to the bedroom for the rest of the day.”
Rest of the day? It’s hours before noon. I almost ask what he means when it hits me. Those butterflies in my belly wake up and flutter their wings.
“Then I should go and double-check Brady’s work. Wouldn’t want someone seeing, or hearing, something they shouldn’t. I see the two entrances. Are there any more?” Wolfe’s attention cuts to me. There’s a twinkle in his eye. The guy misses nothing.
“Just the two.” My cheeks heat, and it takes everything within me not to cover them with my hands.
I’m embarrassed Wolfe and Brady know exactly what Liam and I will be doing in the shower, on the bed, and wherever else while they’re one room away.
If that happens.