Liam stared at Tasha standing in his doorway.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her hands still trembling at her sides.
The hallway light cast shadows across her face, making the tear tracks on her cheeks glisten.
"Tasha, what are you doing here?" His voice ca out sharper than he ant it to. "The police just dropped off. Why aren’t you with them?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it. Her eyes darted past him into the apartnt, then back to his face.
"They want dead," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Who? Who wants you dead?" Liam stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And why the hell are you at my place? After those guys just tried to kill you in your own house—"
"Can I co in first?" Her voice cracked. "Please?"
Liam’s jaw tightened.
His shoulder throbbed where the crowbar had connected, and his split lip was still bleeding through the gauze.
"Tasha, you were just attacked in your own house. Now you’re bringing whoever’s after you straight to my door? That’s not okay."
"I know." Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I know, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t know where else to go. Kira’s my only real friend, and you’re—you’re the only guy I’ve talked to. I didn’t an to drag you into this, I swear. I just, I didn’t know what to do."
Her voice broke completely on the last word, and she pressed her hands to her face, shoulders shaking.
Liam stood there for a mont, watching her fall apart in his doorway.
Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Alright," he muttered. "But if I’m letting you in, you’re telling everything. Deal?"
She nodded quickly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
Liam stepped aside, gesturing for her to co in.
But before he closed the door, he leaned out into the hallway and scanned both directions.
The stairwell was empty.
He shut the door and locked it, then turned to face her.
Tasha stood in the middle of his small living room, her arms wrapped around herself.
Liam crossed his arms and leaned against the door. "So. I’m waiting."
She glanced at him, then away. "Can I get so water first? I’m still parched from talking to that detective earlier."
’Seriously?’
Liam pushed off the door and walked to the kitchen.
He grabbed a glass from the cabinet, filled it from the tap, and handed it to her without a word.
She took it with both hands and drank deeply, her throat working as she swallowed.
When she finished, she set the glass down on the coffee table and sank onto his couch.
Liam stayed standing, watching her. ’Why is she taking so long to answer?’
"You’re taking your sweet ti, I see," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Tasha shot him an annoyed look, her blue eyes narrowing. "Fine."
’What was that look for? Did she forget she was just begging to let her in just minutes ago.’
She took a breath, staring down at her hands. "My uncle wants dead."
Liam blinked. "Your uncle?"
"Yeah." Her voice was flat now, like she’d already accepted it.
"You rember my dad’s in the hospital, right? He’s been there for days after an accident and he survived, but he still hasn’t woken up." She made air quotes with her fingers.
"But it wasn’t an accident. I know it wasn’t. My uncle tried to kill him because he wants the family business." Her voice wavered slightly. "I know I hate my old man, I’ve never hidden that. But I don’t think I can handle losing another parent again"
’Classic uncle-wants-the-business scenario. Kill the brother and kids.’
"Liam rubbed his jaw, wincing when his fingers brushed over the bruise. "But how do you know it was your uncle? That’s a hell of a conclusion to jump to."
"I know." She nodded her head. "My cousin Kaleb told ."
Tasha’s expression softened when she said his na, and for the first ti tonight, there was sothing other than fear in her eyes
She and Kaleb had grown up together.
He was five years older, and when her mom died, he’d stepped in without being asked.
Made sure she ate dinner. Helped with howork.
Slipped her candy when her dad was too busy with work to notice she existed.
He was the only person who’d ever made her feel like she mattered.
So when he called her last night and told her his father was trying to kill her, she believed him without question.
"So Kaleb told you to et at the mall today?" Liam asked.
"No." Tasha shook her head. "He told to go sowhere crowded and stay there. I decided to call you because I didn’t want to be alone."
Liam tilted his head. "Okay, but why not stay with the cops? They could’ve kept you safe."
"Kaleb texted while I was talking to the detective." She pulled out her phone and showed him the screen. The ssage was short: *Don’t trust the police. Get out of there.*
"He said my uncle has friends in the departnt," Tasha continued. "That one of them could kill without anyone asking questions."
’So she picked my place to hide. Great.’
"Look, I thought about it," she said quickly, as if reading his mind. "You took down four guys by yourself. It just made sense to co to you instead of putting Kira and her family in danger."
’But you’re fine putting in danger.’
Liam exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Okay. So what now? You’re here. What’s the plan? You gonna hide in my apartnt forever?"
Tasha opened her mouth to answer, but her phone buzzed in her hand.
The screen lit up with a na: *Kaleb.*
She swiped to answer. "Hello?"
"Hey, Tasha. Are you okay?" His voice was rough, urgent.
"Yes. I got away from the cops like you said."
There was a long exhale on the other end. "Thank God. I was scared I lost you."
"I’m fine." She glanced at Liam. "I’m at my friend’s place. You know, the one who beat up the guys that broke into my house."
"Good. That’s good." A pause. "Can you put him on? I need to talk to him."
Tasha held the phone out to Liam. "He wants to talk to you."
Liam stared at it for a second, then took it. "Yeah?"
"Hey, man." Kaleb’s voice was calr now, but there was an edge to it.
"I just wanted to say thank you. For saving her. I don’t know what I would’ve done if sothing happened to Tasha."
"It’s not a problem," Liam said.
"Is she listening right now?"
Liam glanced over his shoulder.
Tasha was watching him, her brow furrowed, clearly trying to figure out what was being said.
He walked a few steps away, lowering his voice. "No. What’s up?"
"First of all, I’m surprised she’s with a guy." Kaleb chuckled. "I’m the only guy she’s ever really talked to since we were kids. I’m kind of jealous right now."
Liam’s face flushed. He cleared his throat. "It’s not like that. We’re just friends. Maybe even enemies."
Kaleb laughed. "Alright, alright. But listen, I know you weren’t planning on getting involved in any of our family battles. It’s sad, but it’s the truth. Now we need to finish this so everyone can be safe again. Especially Tasha. And I know you feel the sa way."
Liam frowned. "So what do you have in mind?"
’Why the fuck did I just say that?’
"You took down four guys by yourself.Right?" Kaleb said. "So you should be able to handle this too."
"Handle what?"
"I have a plan," Kaleb said, his tone shifting to sothing more asured, like he was choosing his words carefully. "Just trust on this one, alright? I’ll handle it just wait till I get back—"
The line went dead.
"What did he say?" Tasha stood up from the couch, closing the distance between them.
"He said he has a plan that we should trust him," Liam said, handing the phone back.
Kaleb had cut the call mid-sentence, right when Liam was about to ask for details. The abruptness left him unsettled, but he kept his face neutral.
"Did he say what the plan was?" Tasha asked, her voice lifting with hope as she took the phone from him.
"Nope. He didn’t actually add that part."
Her shoulders slumped, and she stared down at the screen like it might suddenly offer more information. After a mont, she looked back up at him. "I trust him. He’s going to co through."
Liam nodded slowly, though he wasn’t sure if he shared her confidence. "Okay, fine. But what are we going to do till he gets back to us? It’s not like we can trust the police or anything."
’I’m still feeling the brunt of the last fight at her place, and like her cousin said before, I’m involved whether I like it or not.’
The ache in his shoulder was a constant reminder of how close things had gotten. Four guys with weapons, and he’d barely walked away. Next ti—if there was a next ti—he might not be so lucky.
"What’s wrong?" Tasha asked, tilting her head as she watched him.
"Nothing. I’m just thinking," he replied, his gaze dropping to the floor as he stroked his chin.
’I still need a way to fight when sothing does happen in the long run, and it’s not like I have a gun here. I can’t expect Tasha to be any help either, so I have only one way in mind to actually protect both of us. And she’s going to play a big part in it.’
The idea took shape quickly, and with it ca a flicker of amusent. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best shot they had if things went sideways again.
Liam looked at Tasha, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
She sat tucked into the couch, the heavy black sweater sliding low to reveal the pale, smooth curve of her shoulder and the thin strap of her bra.
The soft grey fabric of her yoga pants clung tightly to her hips, tracing every line of her thighs.
The sweater draped loosely, but her chest filled it out in a way that was impossible not to notice.
She caught his expression and frowned. "What?"
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