Page 194 of Push

The room fell into an uneasy silence as Toby and Romeo’s hobbling footsteps disappeared down the hallway. I glanced at Liam. His head bowed, and he seemed to be intently examining the cuticles of each manicured fingernail with a deep frown.

“I hope you’re not waiting for an apology,” I said. “You’re lucky you even got one after what you did. Although…” I bit down on my lip. “I’m not sure how I’ll ever make it up to Romeo.”

“The reason for his failure is immaterial,” Liam replied. “He didn’t do his job and suffered the repercussions. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“You hurt him.”

“Yes.” He was so matter-of-fact in his agreement. How was he always so cold? “But ifyouare waiting for an apology…” When his gaze lifted to meet mine, he smirked.

“You need to stop this.” His head tilted like he was confused, so I added with a frustrated wave of my hand, “Interfering. Inserting yourself into my life.”

“I can’t do that.”

My sigh was weary. “Liam…” His name came out almost as a whine.

He matched my tone when he mimicked, “Gwen…” He chuckled at the daggers I glared at him. “Did you recognize the man who attacked you?”

I nodded. “It was Ian.”

“My, my. The business partner does keep himself busy, doesn’t he?”

“Toby’s brother,” I corrected. “A fact recently dropped accidentally by his mother.”

Liam’s head cocked ever so slightly. I’d surprised him. “Perhaps the apple didn’t fall so far from the tree after all.” He feigned indifference by picking at the flowery comforter. “Why does this man continue to pester you?”

“I’m guessing it has something to do with all the money you fraudulently signed into my control.”

“He feels deserving?”

“He feels he’sowed.”

Liam scoffed a laugh. “Just like his daddy. When you told me he was bothering you, I knew you weren’t safe. The business partner has some rather unsavory associations due to his love of…” Liam tapped the side of his nose.

“Cocaine?”

“And plenty of it, if the rumors are true.” He sighed. “I should have done more to protect you.”

“Having a bodyguard tail me night and day was overkill to start with. Ian’s a problem, but I don’t need around-the-clock protection. I’ve got Toby. The police are investigating, and usually, I don’t act like such a damn fool. God, I spent years taking the Morelli family head-on, and they were never bothered about me.”

“And why do you think that is?”

I shrugged. “I was a prosecutor.”

One blond eyebrow rose. “The fact you were on the right side of the law never mattered. You and your detective friend may not have been as easy to bribe as your former employer, but you can’t be naive enough to think Signor Morelli wouldn’t have dealt with you if you’d kept getting in his way.” He leaned closer. “And youdid, Gwen. You were a pretty thorn in his side.” He smiled wistfully. “It was a delight watching him squirm.”

My mouth dropped open. “That’s not—” I shook my head. “They never—”

“Followed you? Threatened you?” His smile lingered. “That’s because you’re mine, clever Gwen. Even very bad men know it’s worth their while to keep me happy.”

“The city’s biggest crime boss cares about keepingyouhappy?”

“Money and influence matter. And I have a reputation…for being…difficult. You know me. You understand.”

“Do I know you, Liam?”

“Better than most.”

“That’s not saying much.”

---