Collateral Damage

Half-asleep by the time he reached her bedroom, she protested when he turned toward the master bathroom. “You don’t want a shower?”

“Later,” she mumbled, snuggling closer.

With a chuckle Liam strode for her bed and set her beneath the sheets. As soon as he climbed in beside her she rolled back on top of him, her thighs bracketing his and her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder. She hummed in contentment when he pulled the covers over them and began gliding that soothing hand up and down her back once more.

“Love you,” she whispered, eternally grateful for the chance to tell him in person, and for the gift of lying here in his arms.

“Love you back, sweet pea.”

She smiled at the endearment. After a few minutes ugly memories began to surface, but she squashed them. There’d be plenty of time for her to replay last night’s events, and worry about what she was going to say when she saw Smithers in the hospital tomorrow. Right now she was exhausted and only wanted to bask in the feel of Liam’s naked body beneath her, let the steady throb of his heartbeat beneath her cheek lull her.

“You tell me if you need anything, okay? Even if you just want to talk. I’m here,” he murmured against the top of her head.

Honor nodded sleepily and kissed the side of his neck. “Just don’t let go.”

He was still a moment, then his big arms curved around her and held her tight. “Never again, sweet pea. I promise.”

Cocooned in the safety and love he gave her, Honor allowed herself to drift off.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Liam finished cooking the last of the pancakes and poured him and Honor each a mug of freshly brewed coffee. His stomach grumbled but he was going to wait to eat with her. They’d slept in late, until almost ten, then he’d climbed in the shower with her and there was no way he could’ve been expected to keep his hands off all that smooth, wet skin.

He’d kissed each and every bruise and abrasion on her body, then used his hands, mouth and the showerhead to drive her to the edge of orgasm twice before finally pi

Since he’d interrupted her shower, he was letting her finish alone so he could surprise her with breakfast. The hot water would be good for her sore muscles and bruises. After they ate, they were having a talk. Begi

He loaded up a tray with their coffees, pancakes, butter and syrup, then headed for the stairs. His foot had just touched the bottom step when the doorbell rang. Frowning, he set the tray on the floor and strode to the door. When he checked through the peephole, his stomach automatically contracted into a ball of dread.

Setting his jaw, he unlocked the door and swung it open, setting one hand against the jamb to make it clear to the unexpected visitors that they weren’t getting past him without permission.

Charity and her mother stood on the top step. Charity’s eyes, a little greener than Honor’s, widened when she saw him standing there shirtless. Beside her, her mother blinked, seeming stu

“Morning,” Liam said, not budging but willing to be pleasant as long as they remembered to do the same. “To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” He used the we deliberately, wanting to make his claim on Honor clear.

“We heard about the attack,” Charity said, her eyes studiously remaining on his face as if she was either too embarrassed or too afraid to look at his bare chest. “It’s all over the news, about the President dying. They said there were drones attacking the base and people shooting soldiers and civilians. I wanted to make sure Honor’s okay.”

“You could’ve called and asked her.”

“I called six times and left voicemails, but she wouldn’t pick up and didn’t return any of my messages.”

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen her pull out her phone since leaving the base. “She might not have checked her phone yet today. We got home late, so she was tired. She’s just in the shower now.” He said it without apology, didn’t give a fuck if it offended them that he’d stayed the night in her bed. No power on earth could have moved him from her side last night.

“But she’s okay?” Mrs. Girard asked, and Liam could hear the worry in her voice.

“She’s okay. Had a few close calls and lost one of her soldiers last night though.”

Charity pressed her lips together, her eyes filling with tears. “Can we… Can we see her?”

Normally the tears wouldn’t have worked on him because he knew just how manipulative she could be, but even he could tell she was genuinely upset about her sister almost dying. “That’s not up to me. You can wait here while I check with—”

“It’s okay, Liam. Let them in.”

Liam turned his head to find Honor standing on the fourth stair from the bottom. Her hair was damp and she was dressed in a fresh uniform, her expression calm. That mix of strength and serenity in the face of everything she’d gone through made him want to scoop her up in his arms and take her back upstairs, spend hours showing her just how much he adored and cherished her.

“You sure?” One word from her and he’d happily slam the door in the women’s faces.

She nodded. “I’m sure.”

Liam dropped his arm as she descended the rest of the stairs. He met her partway, sliding his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You want me to stay?” he murmured, low enough that only she could hear.

“Yes.” She took his hand in hers and wrapped an arm around his waist in a gesture that clearly screamed he’s mine. Hiding a smile, gratified by her show of possessiveness in front of their audience, Liam turned with her to face her family.

****

Honor refused to feel nervous as she led her mother and sister into the living room. This was her house, her damn life, and her man. No one was going to intimidate her or make her question her decisions again, least of all them.

Liam sat beside her on the couch and she not only kept hold of his hand, but pulled it into her lap and slid over toward him until her hip was pressed against his. Her mother and sister both glanced at their twined hands but didn’t comment and Honor felt like raising a defiant eyebrow. They’d shown up out of the blue without an invitation and as far as she was concerned, their opinion about her and Liam didn’t matter.

“So, you came because of the attack?” she asked, not seeing the point in dancing around the subject. Their presence made her father’s absence all the more conspicuous. And painful. Honor refused to show it. Apparently writing someone off didn’t mean they no longer had the power to hurt you.

Charity nodded, casting an uncertain glance at Liam before looking back at her. “Honor, I really need to say some things to you. Can we please do this in private?”

“Nope. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say it in front of Liam too. And if you don’t like it, you can leave.” Charity frowned in alarm and out of the corner of her eye she saw Liam’s lips twitch. He leaned back and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The possessive, protective gesture filled her with warmth and strength.

Even though she’d cut her ties with her family, this was still hard. The cold distance that lay between them hurt and Liam seemed to understand that. She was so damn thankful he was here, especially now of all times. Her mother and sister’s visit would have been a hundred times harder without him.