AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rosa was with Mira, and I was waiting in the kitchen next door with a solid plan and an impressive stack of binders.
They were color-coded and had matching tabs.
I stood up to pace the room, sliding a nervous hand down the front of my shirt. It was one of my favorites, a V-neck with flowy sleeves and a pattern of tiny purple and blue flowers. I’d also smoothed my hair ... sort of.
When I heard his vehicle pull into the driveway, I felt a flurry of nerves take flight in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t need to usher him in like a guest, but when there was a soft knock on the front door, I winced.
I had told him the house was only for family. And, apparently, Liam’s new thing was listening to me.
I’d never get over the shock.
Determined to start this off on the right foot, I managed a polite smile when I pulled the door open. “Hey,” I said softly. “Thanks for coming.”
Instead of answering, he simply gave me a thorough once-over—his eyes trailing from the top of my head to the tips of my toes—and then walked into the house with a curt nod.
Something about the way Liam studied me was unnerving. It always had been. And because this time would be different, I decided to tell him.
“I never know what you’re thinking when you look at me like that.”
Because I was walking behind him, the only noticeable sign that he’d heard me was the slight stiffening of his broad back.
“I’m not sure you want to know, Valentine.”
I sighed. “I do have a name.”
“Isn’t Valentine one of them?” He took a seat at one of the stools next to the island, folded his hands on the counter, and gave me an expectant look. “Everyone uses last names on the team.”
“If we start off with that kind of dynamic here, we’re in big trouble.”
Liam quirked an eyebrow. “How so? I quite like the team atmosphere. I’d trust all of them with my life. Except the stupid rookies. Don’t know them well enough yet.”
There were always a few kids in every class who thought they knew better than the teacher. It was so easy to imagine Liam as one of those smart alecks. Someone who argued. Someone who tiptoed over the line whenever he could manage it.
Instead of taking a seat, I leaned up against the edge of the counter and studied his face, trying to undo him in the same way he always undid me.
But he met my stare unflinchingly.
And that was unnerving too.
“Trust them with your life?” I asked. “That’s a bold statement.”
“Accurate, though.” He glanced around the house. “I wouldn’t be here if Chris hadn’t felt the same, yeah?”
Ten points to the grouch.
I lifted my brows in brief concession. “Fair enough. But no ass slapping and no yelling, because I know you guys do that too.”
His lips twitched, and oh, I swear he almost smiled. “I’m trying very hard not to make an inappropriate comment about ass slaps, Valentine.”
“I appreciate your restraint.”
“Figured you would. That’s what I’m known for. My epic restraint.”
My lips fought a smile. “What changed your mind?” I asked. “I was not expecting you yesterday.”
“That freckle-faced asshole showed up in my dream,” he said.
“Chris?”
