Page 122 of Push

I glared right back. He could answermefor once.

“Holding your ground today, hmm?” He turned his eyes to the ceiling, thinking for a moment, before smiling. “If a folder of classified documents showing a money trail from Marcello Morelli to your old boss somehow ended up in the hands of the corruption watchdog, why would I know about it?”

“Oddly specific.”

Liam lifted a shoulder. “Variables pieced together to determine a probable outcome.”

“Horseshit.”

His grin chilled me to my bones. He’d done exactly what he’d said. Why? He was going to get himself in trouble messing with these sorts of people.

“Liam.” I sighed. “Why are you involving yourself in this?”

“Why do I do anything?”

“Fucked if I know.”

He chuckled. “I’m fucked ifanyoneknows.”

I cocked my head, watching him curiously. Whatcouldall this be about? So, my old boss was caught up with criminals—color me shocked. Drug money talked, and he wasn’t the first to fall. But I wasn’t involved in any of that. I was one of the few people in that office who couldn’t be bought off.

“I don’t need your protection,” I hedged with Liam.

“You do.”

“From what?”

“The world.”

“What the—” I sighed. “Is this some weird thing from when we were kids? Liam, you don’t owe me anything.”

His eyes closed. “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. I owe you everything.” The words came out too soft for him but quickly disappeared with his usual bite. “My reasons are my own. They’re not for you to worry about, clever Gwen.”

“Please don’t get involved in anything that will get you in trouble. I worry about you.”

“How touching.”

“You dismiss me like it’s nothing, but I lo—”

“Don’t say it.”

I sucked the words back in, even though my heart wanted to explode. “You’re my brother, Liam. I’ve always looked out for you.”

“And that, little Gwen, has always been the problem for us.” He sighed. “You said you wouldn’t be involved in anything illegal. That was one of your conditions when you agreed to work with me, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Because of your ethics? Your values?”

“Both.”

He nodded. “Then you won’t ask me any more questions about the matter involving your former employer.”

It was as if a bucket of ice water was dumped over me, but I carefully hid my shock behind a deadpan mask and stood perfectly still, barely breathing.

“Eli doesn’t like me interfering in your life,” Liam continued. “He told me you werehappy—whatever that means—and so I kept my distance.” He managed the closest thing possible to a genuine smile. “But when the universe dropped you in my lap—that, my Gwen, was a sign I couldn’t ignore. You are meant to be with me.Us. We’re a family.”

Those words got him a raised eyebrow. “We’re a pretty screwed-up family.”

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