When the intensity of their lovemaking was over, Liam rolled onto his back and closed his eyes, exhausted. He didn’t want to think about the complications. He tried to sleep, but there was a war raging inside him. His conscience was on the offensive, and it was time he came to grips with what he was doing here. His actions in the last couple of months had been impulsive and definitely out of character for him. He was accustomed to a life on the move, never getting too close to anyone or setting down roots. That was what he had signed up for. Lately, however, something had changed. He’d rearranged some assignments just so he could return to Boston. He’d told himself he needed to stay close to Allison because there were threats against her, and he felt responsible. At one point he’d even been on his way to the airport and turned around so that he could make sure she was okay. And every time he was near her, he couldn’t seem to control himself. Granted, she had been a willing partner and had agreed there were no commitments or expectations. The sex had been amazing, but was that all it was? Sex? At some point he would have to face reality and get back to his job and his life on the move. What would happen then?
Since he had met her, he hadn’t wanted any other woman. He’d had the opportunity, just not the desire. He only wanted Allison. He knew exactly when she had gotten to him, too. She had been staring at him while she timidly confessed stealing all that money from hackers, and there was something in her eyes that had captivated him. She was vulnerable, yes, but also gutsy. There was no denying her courage. Even more important, underneath the audacity was a kind heart and a sense of fairness. He’d never met anyone like her.
He just wanted to be with her. No, that wasn’t exactly true. He needed to be with her. The truth he had been afraid to admit couldn’t be avoided anymore. Damn if he hadn’t fallen in love with the woman.
TWENTY-TWO
He did it again. Allison was just drifting off to sleep when Liam leaned over her, kissed her on her forehead, and left. He didn’t even say, “See you later,” this time.
She should have been angry or at the very least frustrated, but she wasn’t. She was beginning to take it all in stride, which, all things considered, was extremely odd. And since she hadn’t told Jordan or anyone else that she was in love with Liam, she couldn’t complain about his bizarre behavior.
Will inadvertently took her mind off Liam by scaring the bejesus out of her. She took the morning off and didn’t even get dressed until eleven. She had a blistering headache and needed to buy some ibuprofen. The pharmacy was just three blocks away, two if she cut through an alley, and since it was a beautiful day, she decided to walk. The rule was that she could drive to and from work or anywhere else, for that matter, but she wasn’t supposed to walk anywhere alone. She assumed the reason was that Bale had not calmed down, yet when she put the question to Phillips, he didn’t confirm or deny. He simply told her she could walk anywhere she wanted as long as she had people with her. She had complied with his wishes up to now. Today she figured a quick trip to the pharmacy wasn’t a big deal, especially if no one found out.
She had just reached the alley between two buildings when she noticed a man hurrying toward her. His head was down and he was wearing a baseball cap low on his forehead. Even before he reached her, she knew it was Will.
He grabbed her arm. “It’s me, Will. Don’t be afraid. I need to talk to you.”
She tugged her arm free. “Have you been out here waiting for me?”
“No, I was on my way to your garage. I was going to wait until you came down. Then I saw you on the sidewalk and I . . . Let’s go in the alley and talk.”
She declined and told him they would talk right where they were standing. He looked around. The street was all but deserted.
“My attorney told me you got me probation, that you made some kind of deal with the prosecutor? Is that true?”
She was furious. No one was supposed to know about her part in his release. “How did your attorney find out?”
“I don’t know. Is it true?” he repeated. “Did you do that for me?”
No reason to deny it now. “Yes.”
He sounded desperate when he asked, “Can you get me out of this?” He grabbed her arm again and pleaded. “You have to get me out of this.”
Allison inhaled sharply. Not because Will had hold of her arm, but because she glanced over his shoulder and saw Liam walking toward them. He wasn’t wearing a suit jacket, and his hand was on the butt of his gun. He looked as though he wanted to kill someone. Where in God’s name had he come from this time? The street had been empty just seconds ago, and all of a sudden there he was. If she looked away, she half expected him to vanish again.
In a rush, she whispered, “Will, do you have any weapons on you? Like a gun or a knife?”
“No. Why would I?”
She put her hand up as a signal for Liam to stay back, which he completely ignored. When he was just a couple of feet behind Will, he stopped. He was so close she was surprised Will couldn’t feel Liam’s breath on the back of his neck.
“Will, listen to me,” she said. “You have to surrender right now. Surrender to me,” she blurted, and even after she said it, she knew it didn’t make any sense. “Okay? If you turn yourself in, maybe that will count in court and you won’t have to face a longer sentence. Please. Do the right thing, and I’ll help you.”
Will wasn’t listening to reason. “Maybe I could get to Canada and hide there,” he said. “No one would ever—”
She stopped him. “You can’t hide forever. I don’t want to see you in prison for the rest of your life or, worse, gunned down.”
“You’re so naive, Allison,” he scoffed. “To you the world is rosy, and people like me can get a fair shake. You think all I have to do is walk up to some cop and surrender and everything will be okay.”
“You have to surrender, Will.”
Antagonistic now, he said, “What happens if I don’t?”
“Then the FBI agent behind you is going to slam you up against the building, handcuff you, and take you in. Please. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Will’s head snapped around. Liam was standing there with his hand on his gun. Like a caged animal, Will turned in all directions, trying to find an escape.
“Don’t even think about running,” Liam warned.
Will’s shoulders slouched. Realizing there wasn’t any way out, he gave a long, defeated sigh, as though all the fight that was in him was being expelled at that very moment. His voice sullen now, he said, “I surrender.”
Liam quickly patted him down to make certain there weren’t any weapons on him while he called the police to come pick him up. Within seconds they heard the sirens approaching from a few blocks away.
Will turned to Allison and started to beg. “Allison, please, you have to—”
Liam wouldn’t let him continue. “Stop right there. Do you have any idea how much your cousin has done for you? The lengths she has gone to?”
When Will turned once again in her direction, Liam snapped, “Keep your arms folded in front of you and look only at me.” Will complied immediately, and Liam continued. “Now you’re going to do your part. It’s time you take responsibility.”
Allison watched silently as Liam continued to give Will a piece of his mind, letting him know how furious he was for the way Will had treated her. By the time the police car pulled up and two officers got out, Will was cowering and seemed about to cry. She knew she shouldn’t interfere, but she couldn’t stop herself. She called to the officers, “Will surrendered to Special Agent Scott, and you can see he’s cooperating.”
Liam gave her a look that suggested she not say another word. He didn’t contradict her, though, and she took that as a win.
“Will you go with me?” Will asked her. He was practically shaking with fear now.
Liam didn’t give her time to answer. “No,” he said emphatically. Turning to the policemen, he showed his identification and ordered, “Cuff him. Then read him his rights and get him in the car.”
“Yes, sir,” both officers said at the same time.