Page 101 of Goddess of Mayhem

Lion snorts and shakes his head. “She told you about her mother?”

I hum. “She did. And I apologize for mocking the situation.”

He steps into me, glaring down his nose. “Your apology means fuck all to me, Officer. Save yourself the embarrassment because I’m not the one that’s going to buy your bullshit,” he spits. “I don’t have loyalty to your parents like my father and uncle do. My loyalty is with Malia and Nate. You threatened toendthem both. The sooner you come to realize that the better all this will be.”

“Duly noted,” I deadpan, holding his stare not willing to back down.

We stare each other down for a few short moments. If he could pick me up and toss me out of the window without repercussions from Malia, I have no doubt he’d try it. Or make good on his threat and put a bullet between my eyes.

“We’re done here,” he grumbles and stalks out the room.

I don’t know how Malia will feel that we don’t get along and I don’t know how to approach the situation. I’m not going to act like I want to be friends with the man just for her sake, not that I think she would expect that from me, but I can be civil.

The question is. Can he?

MALIA AND I STAYED in New York for a few days trying to get a location on Akila’s ex. After looking into people associated with him, there’s no real other explanation he can’t be found other than he’s good at going underground and hiding or he’s being hidden.

It took a lot of convincing to tear Malia away from Lion, but we were able to convince her it was time to go back. After being in the house with all of those people, I’m ready to get back to taking up all of her attention again.

Whenever this ends and we go back to life, it’s hard to say what will happen. I’ll still be here for her, standing by her side like she wants me to, I’m just not ignorant to the fact I will have to share time with her. Malia will go back to doing what it is she does for The Omen.

Malia has seemed like she’s folding in on herself a bit since we arrived in New York. I’m not sure if that tension lies with me and Lion not getting along or if it’s something else. She sits beside me on her father’s private jet and stares out the window. She’s quiet but her silent thoughts are so fucking loud. I prefer the bite and mouthiness compared to the silence and all-business demeanor.

The Omen blew his shit when he found out about us going to New York and almost came to drag her back to the cabin himself. Lion intervened and said he’d handle it. Neither of us spoke to each other after Lion confronted me the night we arrived and I’m fine with that.

The rest of the way back to the cabin Malia stayed in her head, only answering me in short, clipped answers. I was trying to keep from snapping at her for shutting me out, but it’s something I will have to approach when we get back to the cabin. There’s nothing I can do in a plane or a car.

Forty

Malia

WEPULLUPTOthe cabin and we both stare at it in silence.

“Get out of the car, Malia,” Liam snaps, unbuckling and leaving no room for argument.

I knew it was only a matter of time before he called me out on my bullshit, and I guess it’s now. Liam slams the car door shut when he gets out and walks over to open my door, ushering me to get out.

He doesn’t bother grabbing our bags, as he leads me into the cabin by pushing on my lower back. We step through the door and the cold runs through me. The homey feeling the cabin held was lost when Liam’s last fire burnt out in the hearth.

Liam steps around me and slams me into the wall, grabbing my face and crashing his lips onto mine.

“Don’t pull away from me,” he whispers into my lips.

So many times have I wished for Liam to be under my fingertips – under my control. I felt my confidence fading - breaking myself, as I tried to break him. I let my hands roam his rock-hard chest, tracing that perfect V that defines his hips. By the darkness in his eyes – he wants me more now than he ever has before.

I am playing with fire.

Liam isn’t safe with me, and with my rapidly dwindling confidence I have created my own internal battle between my brain and heart. At this point, it was enough to drive anyone insane.

Seeing Lion after Akila was hurt put a lot in perspective for me. I may not be a leader, but I’m dangerous and Liam is a weakness for them to use. He’s no porcelain doll, but he’s not trained either.

But he’s right we can’t continue this, and I hate myself for pulling away again.

“Malia, I—” Liam starts then cuts himself off as he pulls away from me.

I lose all control, every sense flying out the window. I grab his shirt, and pull him down to my height, crashing his lips against mine.

And, Jesus, the hunger, the need that Liam Brenner kisses me with every time our lips connect is addicting. He wraps his arms around me, pressing me against him, as if I would slip away any second. He forces his tongue between my teeth, not bothered with asking for permission. Quickly, taking control of the kiss. I pull his shirt over his head, wishing I had the strength to rip it off.

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