“This way,” he said.
Eva looked over her shoulder. The two vors were still, but she noticed they were still breathing. “Are they dead?”
“Let’s say they won’t hurt people for a long time.”
Liam ushered her where he had parked his SUV. His clothes were strewn on the grass. His shoes and wallet were tossed near the tire. He told her to sit in the SUV while he donned his clothes.
“How did you find me?” Eva asked while putting the seat belt on.
He slid behind the wheel and started the engine. “I tracked down your scent.”
How curious. She hadn’t thought that he had such an uncanny ability. What else could he do?
“Listen,” he began, driving to the main street, “I know you must have tons of questions…“
“I remember.”
“What?”
“Liam, I remember everything…”
*
Liam frowned. She remembered everything. A part of him was relieved because he wouldn’t have to lie to her anymore, and the other part of him was worried. What if she was mad at him for not telling her the truth? He stole a glance at her. She didn’t seem to be. He cleared his throat. “What do you remember?”
“My name is Eva Walker. I’m a librarian from Brighton Beach. And I’m in the witness protection program. Those men—the vors—found out where I was because my new boss, Mr. Harrison, ratted out my whereabouts.”
His frown turned into a deep scowl. “Your boss in the Arcana Foundation?”
“The vors threatened his family. I heard him argue when I became conscious.”
“Conscious. What did he do to you?”
“That bastard hit me with a vase. He knocked me out cold. Funny thing, when I came out from it, I remembered everything again. Is that so cliché or what?”
“He hit you?” A flash of anger made his voice rise an octave. Liam made a mental note to visit Harrison and arrange some payback. He extended his hand and touched Eva’s head, checking her wound.
Eva flinched.
“Where did he hit you?”
“Here.”
Liam felt a bump on her scalp and something wet. “You’re bleeding.”
“Not much.”
“We have to do something about it when we get home.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re definitely not fine.”
Eva quieted. Then she asked meekly, “Are you mad at me?”
Liam sighed with resignation. He was mad at himself for not being able to protect her. If he hadn’t carelessly put her photos and diary out in the open, she wouldn’t have gotten curious or hurt. His heart chilled thinking about how narrowly she had escaped death for the second time. If he had arrived a few minutes later… He shook off the bad thoughts. “No,” he said. “I was worried sick.”
“I’m sorry. I was curious. I had to know the truth.”
He couldn’t blame her for that. He guessed if he was in her shoes, he would resort to the same thing. “Please, don’t do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“I don’t think I could stand the thought of losing you.”
Eva became bright-eyed. “You like me that much?”
“I love you.”
She flustered. “So it wasn’t a lie?”
“I put rings on your fingers, didn’t I? Listen, love, whether you like it or not, we are now bonded.”
“Bonded?”
Liam explained the ritual of blood magic he had performed in order to bring her back to life. Her eyes grew wider and wider as he recounted the tale of the night he found her. How relieved he was when she started breathing again and her mortal wounds knitted close. And his vow that he wouldn’t let anybody hurt her again. “I know it might be difficult to accept this, but I’m hoping you can learn to love me too. You are mine and I would never let you go.”
Eva went silent. She bowed her head, staring at the engagement and wedding ring on her fingers.
Liam wished he knew what was going on in her head.
*
Rosa was standing under the portico when Liam pulled the SUV into the driveway. Hades barked with excitement at the sight of his master. Rosa looked relieved when she saw Eva. The housekeeper muttered to herself while patting her chest.
They went inside. Eva took a shower and changed her clothes. Rosa served her dinner when she got out of the bathroom. Salisbury steak with pasta and crunchy salad. Eva ate ravenously. Having cheated death for the second time made her hungry.
Her gaze lingered on her rings while she ate. He said he loved her and she was his bonded. Giddiness rushed to her head. It was hard to believe a man like Liam would desire somebody like her. He saved her and she was indebted to him. It wasn’t hard to love a man like him. She was already falling for Liam.
After Rosa took the tray away, Liam came knocking on the door.
“Hey, how do you feel, love?” he asked.
Eva could feel herself blushing furiously. “I’m fine.”
“You’ve been struck in the head. I need to see your wound.”
She grinned. Liam sat next to her on the bed and checked the back of her head. The area where Harrison had struck was a little tender, but it wasn’t bleeding anymore.
“Does it hurt?” Liam inquired gently.
Eva shook her head.
“You sure? I will have Doctor Hall examine you tomorrow. He couldn’t make it today.” He took her hands and squeezed them. “Look at you.” Liam regarded her with great worry. “You have been through a lot over the past few days. I don’t think I could forgive myself if something bad happened to you.”
“Do you really mean it? What you said in the car?”
“Of course.”
Eva looked at her rings. “These are beautiful.”
“We can make it legal when you’re up to it.”
“Married?”
“In the city hall. We need to get you a new identity. My lawyer will take care of that. Then we could have a backyard wedding. Private party, small guest list. Friends and family.”
“I would love that.” She lunged at him and hugged him tightly. Damn, he smelled so damn good. His soap. Fresh and clean. Liam wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head, finding her lips. He kissed her. Eva swooned.
Heat surged through her veins. Oh, how she wanted him. She wanted to replay their experience when they shared a bed. Perhaps more. She was better now and Liam wouldn’t have a reason to say no.