Liam spent a couple of hours in the loft office, working. He called his assistant back in Austin."They're building more roads in Pakistan," Raina Patmore told him. "They're looking at maybe an eighteen-month contract, but we all know those things take longer. And Sister Angie called. They want to take in another convoy of medical supplies."His business provided protection in dangerous parts of the world. His teams allowed building crews to get their jobs done and get out.The work was dangerous, often a logistical nightmare and extremely expensive.His corporate clients paid well for what they got.The corporate profits were channeled into funding protection for those providing relief efforts in places often forgotten.He'd grown up in the shadow of the Sanz Formation, a philanthropic trust that helped the poor.His critics said he could afford to be generous-he had a trust fund worth nearly a billion dollars. What they didn't know is he never touched it. A vow he'd made to himself.
"Not much to tell.""It's tough, isn't it?" She leaned against the counter opposite his. For once, her eyes weren't bright with humor or challenge. "Being who we are and trying to get involved. The money thing, I mean."Because they both came from money. Because they'd been raised with the idea that they had to be careful, to make sure they didn't fall for someone who was in it for the wrong reasons.Without wanting to, Liam remembered sitting in on a painful conversation between Emmett and Eva. He'd tried to escape more than once, but his friend had wanted him to stick around to make sure Van really listened."Guys are going to know who you are," Emmett had told her. "You have to be smart and not just think with your heart."Eva had been sixteen. She'd writhed in her seat as Emmett had talked, then she'd stood and glared at him."Who is going to want me for anything else?" she demanded. "I'm not pretty. I'll never be pretty. I'm nothing more than a giant brain with braces and a big n
Eva sat up and took Sloane's hands. "I love and admire you, but you are desperately wrong."I hope so, for your sake."But her friend sounded worried as she spoke. Eva appreciated the show of support. They were never going to agree on this topic. Better to move on.She released Sloane's hands and grinned. "So Derrick is right next door. Whatever will the two of you get up to late at night?"Sloane flushed. "Lower your voice," she whispered. "He'll hear you.""Oh, please. He wouldn't hear a nuclear explosion if he was focused on something else, and when I walked by his room, he was already booting his laptop. We're safe.Don't you love how I got the two of you into the house while everyone else is far, far away?""I guess," Sloane said with uncharacteristic indecision. "I know something has to happen soon or I'll be forced to back the car over him. He's such a sweetie. And you know I really like him, but I don't think I'm his type."+Eva groaned. "He doesn't have a type. He's a nerd.
Eva arrived home from dinner with her team feeling just full enough, with a slight buzz.They'd taken the shuttle van into town and that had meant no one had to be a designated driver.Wine had flowed freely. Well, as freely as it could given no one drank more than a glass, preferring the thrill of intellectual discussion to the mental blurriness of too much alcohol.+But just this once Eva had passed up the wine and gone with a margarita. That was fine, but she'd ordered a second one and was absolutely feeling it as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom.As she reached the landing, she was two doors and was reminded that it was also the same floor with Liam's bedroom.What an interesting fact, she thought as she paused and stared at the firmly closed door. He was in there. By himself, she would guess.So what exactly was he getting up to?She was pretty confident he was stretched out on the bed, watching TV or reading.But this was her buzz, and she could imagine him waiting for her
It was a perfect night for viewing the stars, but she wasn't in the mood. Not even on her brand-new telescope. She hurt too much and it was hard to say why.Maybe because Liam was right. If Justice was that important to her, she wouldn't stay away from him for six months. But she had, and it had been relatively easy.Too easy. If she were really in love with him, wouldn't she be desperate to be with him?Finding the engagement ring had shocked her. She hadn't known what to think about his proposing.She'd been happy, but a part of her had known that it was time to put off the inevitable. That closure with Liam was required.She'd known about Emmett's friends coming to stay at the house. She'd taken the consulting job in California, hired on as the caretaker of the house and had waited to confront the man who was holding her back.Once she got her revenge on Liam, she would be fine."That's what's wrong," she whispered to herself. "I'm still waiting to punish him. Once Liam is reduced
Eva paid the driver, then carried the bag of Chinese food into the house. "Dinner," she yelled in the general direction of the stairs, not sure if Liam would come down or not. She was gratified to see him walk into the kitchen a couple of minutes later."Why aren't you out with the nerd brigade?" he asked as she pulled a couple of plates out of the cupboard."Nerd brigade?" She smiled. "They'd like that. It sounds very military. They're all going to a club downtown and I'm not in the mood. Plus, I knew you were lonely, so I stayed home to keep you company.""I'm not lonely."He sounded annoyed as he spoke, which made her want to giggle. Liam was really easy to rile. It was that stick up his butt-if he would just let it go, he could be a regular person.Of course, his macho I'm-in-charge attitude was part of his appeal."Can you reach those?" she asked, pointing to the tall glasses some idiot had put on the top shelf. She could never have left them there.While he got them for her, she
"You think I'm girlie?" he asked in a low, slightly dangerous voice. A voice thick with power. A voice that made her realize he was a whole lot bigger than her and that there were a couple of floors between her and help."Not at all," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to say it. The words just slipped out. Bad me. You should probably stalk out and teach me what for by leaving me alone."Instead he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you play all the men in your life?"She swallowed. "Pretty much.""Does it work?""Mostly.""Not this time."He cupped her cheek with his hand, bent down and kissed her.She'd sensed he was going to and should have had time to brace herself. It was just a kiss, right? No big deal. They'd kissed before, and while she'd liked it, she'd managed to keep perfect control...sort of.But not this time. The second his mouth touched hers, she started dissolving from the inside out. Technically that couldn't be true, but it felt true.Heat poured through her,
"What?" Derrick's eyes widened. He pushed up his glasses again. "No. She's great, don't get me wrong, but we're just friends. She's not anyone I would...you know...be attracted to."Liam's first instinct was to grab the little weasel by the throat and ask him what the hell he thought was wrong with Eva. Then he got a grip and told himself to back off.His second instinct was to walk away, because he didn't do personal conversations. But then he remembered Eva's insistence that they help Derrick and Sloane get together.He refused to play matchmaker, but maybe a couple of questions couldn't hurt."You're a lucky guy," he said. "Surrounded by beautiful women."Derrick blinked. "Sloane's beautiful.""Yes, she is. Van mentioned she wasn't one of the scientists?""Oh, no. She coordinates the project. She's just a normal person. She keeps us on track with our time and our budget. She takes care of things." His voice had a dreamy quality. "She always smells good. It's not always the same sce