The doubt in his brother’s voice made Liam growl. “Don’t you dare, Archer. You know why she fled, but she’s here now. She’s one of us.”
It was difficult to gain back the control that was almost let lose at Archer’s veiled doubts about Catriona.
Aleksei was clearly on Liam’s side concerning the nun, and Kai only smiled and shook his head. Surprisingly, it was Sam who acted as referee.
“Easy, brothers. I trust Liam’s judgment on this, and from what I was told, Catriona isn’t trying to deceive us. One of us would’ve detected it if she were.”
The simple words offered in Sam’s calm voice finished defusing the situation. Archer sighed and gave Liam a quick nod, confirming they were on the same side.
Kai sat back down on the computer chair and twirled a couple of times before grinning at Liam like a fool. “So, brother. What are your intentions with the nun? Are you going to make God angry with you or not?”
Annoyance flared, but he knew that behind Kai’s amusement was a real concern. “I... She …” Liam clenched his teeth, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know what to do, to be honest.”
Sam came to his side and frowned. “What do you mean? She’s a nun. There’s nothing to do.”
“She keeps telling me she’s not one yet, and there’s something between us. So far, I’ve kept away, but she’s offered herself to me.”
“And now it’s in your hands, Liam.”
Kai's statement weighed heavily on him. The more he knew Catriona Walsh, the more he was attracted to her, not only to her light, but her body. A big part of him wanted to gorge himself on her, starving for her willing softness, hopeful of erasing his own darkness by her hands.
But could he taint that sweet soul of hers for a moment of pleasure?
Aleksei poked him with his elbow, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Your poker face has slipped, Liam. I recognize the same need I have for Deva. The decision is yours, but I saw how she looked at you. There was no doubt in her, so when she offered herself, it was a clear decision.” The Russian darkened for a moment. “We all know how peace is rare. We never know when the next one might be, if it ever comes.”
Gravity filled the room as they reflected on Aleksei’s words. Each of them had different lives, but the scars were painfully similar.
After a moment, Kai came forward. “Whatever you do, keep in mind that we need her help, now more than ever. This situation is temporary. We won’t be able to keep Finch at bay forever.”
It may not have been a warning, but Liam took it as one, nonetheless.
Agreeing silently, Liam nodded. One look through the windows made him realize that it was snowing, and that they were a day closer to the holidays. Immediately, Catriona’s image surrounded by Christmas lights in Chicago sprang to mind.
“Have we planned anything for Christmas while we’re in lockdown?”
Archer rolled his eyes. “Zoe and Deva cornered me about it. It took some doing to order everything, making sure nothing could lead him back to us. I told the guards that we’re expecting a delivery soon. So prepare yourself to be blinded by ornaments and sparkly things. I’ve also been told participation is mandatory on Christmas Day, do that leaves you tonight free.”
On that note, Liam left his brothers, who were still debating the security, and his feet led him toward the wing where Lazarus had been installed.
Liam needed to see the man who had brought them all together against Finch.
The suite was vast but cozy, lit by the slowly declining daylight. Lazarus lay still as a statue in the bed. What Liam noticed was there were only two machines attached to his brother, a real improvement compared to the hospital. Sasha was nowhere to be seen and was most probably in her bedroom through the en-suite on the side. The dedicated doctor was never gone for long, so Liam pulled a chair by Lazarus’ bed and sat down, elbows on his knees.
Maybe it was only a trick of his mind, but Lazarus’ cheeks seemed pinker against the black of his beard. That was a positive sign, right? Liam rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze going over the room before returning to his brother.
“We’re such a deep mess, Oz. Shit.” It was weird to talk to someone who couldn’t answer back, but at the same time, it felt right. “We’re in hiding and everything is on the shoulders of a nun.” After a pause, Liam chuckled. “Have you meet Catriona? Well, I mean before you went into a coma and she came to your hospital room. There’s something about her. I noticed it the first moment I saw her. It’s difficult to explain, you know.”
As the words flowed, images of Catriona filled his mind, and his body tightened. “It’s impossible to stay away from her, as if she welcomes everyone even closer with her smile. There’s a purity when she looks at me, and there’s nothing pure about how much I want her. I feel like the devil around her. It's true the image is bad, but it takes everything in me to stay away. Twice I almost succumbed, twice she was saved. Do you know she willingly offered herself to me? Crazy angel.” Saying the words out loud in the open sounded so weird, it made him shake his head. “You are aware I can’t. I won’t do it. She doesn’t see what it could do to her. I know firsthand how a broken vow can hurt someone. You have learned about my mother, Oz. Whether I want her or not, she has to understand the implications. I won’t survive breaking her soul.”
“I hate when men assume they can read a woman’s mind. Even worse, when they decide what’s best for them. Please, give Catriona some credit, even if I think she could do way better than you.”
The female voice behind him almost made him swallow his tongue.
“I thought you were in your room, doc.”
Sasha came around with a tray before settling on the other side of the bed, placing the tray on the floor. “And you dare comment on my routine, you’re living dangerously, Liam.”
He leaned back on his chair, lifting his palms. “And you’re listening in on private conversations.”
