Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Liam squeezed my hand.
Randy glanced at Liam, then Jonathon. “We still have no idea where to look.”
Jonathon turned off the recorder, then stood and started to pace.
“I feel so guilty for not reporting the kidnapping earlier.”
“Don’t,” Randy stated. “Mallory, I know I got on you about that. But you have no idea how many women don’t report things because they’re afraid their tormentor will find them, or they’re worried someone won’t believe them. You’ve reported it now, and we can stop him.”
I gave Randy a grateful nod. “Thank you for trying to make me feel better.”
“Dinner is ready. Why don’t we all take a break from this and eat?” Billy said as he motioned for everyone to come into the kitchen.
Randy and Jonathon started for the kitchen, but Liam took my hand and held me back. Cupping my face, he kissed me.
When he drew back, I looked up at him. “What was that for?”
He smiled. “I just needed to kiss you.”
I returned his smile with one of my own. “Thank you for being here for me through all of this.”
“The only person I care about is you, Mallory. Whatever we have to do to keep you safe and bring this guy down, I’ll do it.”
“Liam,” I whispered, lifting and brushing my mouth against his. I rested my forehead on his. “I almost think remembering is worse than forgetting everything.”
He pulled me to him and hugged me. I melted against his body and suddenly wished we were alone.
A voice cleared softly, and I turned to see MaryAnne. “As much as I love seeing this, you both need some food. Come eat.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Liam
After everyone left, Mallory and I cleaned up the kitchen in silence. We were both processing everything that had happened in the last few hours, with her getting her memory back.
Mallory had made us both a cup of tea, and we sat on the back porch and watched as the sky turned darker and the stars showed up one after another.
“I love it here so much,” Mallory stated as she stroked her hand over Piper’s body.
“I’m glad.”
Turning to look at me, she grinned. “In the middle of all this craziness, I’ve found something I wasn’t even looking for.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“Not what, but who. I feel so safe here with you, Liam. And as insane as this all is, I feel like it was fate that brought us together. I mean, I wish she’d gone about it a little differently, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it now.”
My heart swelled in my chest at her words. “I feel the same. And I’ll be honest with you…I don’t want you to leave.”
“Good,” she giggled. “I now realize that I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
I smiled and set my cup down. Standing, I reached for her hand. “I want to be with you, sweetheart. I need to feel you against me.”
Placing her hand in mine, Mallory stood. “I want that too.”
We made our way back into the house, and I said, “You head on into the bedroom. I’m going to lock up everything and I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay,” she said softly, kissing me quickly on the lips before heading down the hall toward the bedroom. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Piper stick right by her side. My dog was falling in love with Mallory, just like I was.
After turning off the lights, I grabbed my phone and Mallory’s and plugged them in to charge. I didn’t put them on silent, just in case Randy or Jonathon had any updates.
Once I got to the room, I smiled at the sight before me. Mallory was sitting on the bed, Piper still next to her. She was wearing one of my T-shirts—and that was it. She looked so damn beautiful with her brown hair pulled up and piled on top of her head.
Winking at her, I said, “Nice T-shirt.”
Glancing down, she replied, “Oh, this old thing?” When her eyes met mine, her smile faded a bit. “I should shop for some more lingerie.”
I pulled my shirt off and tossed it onto the chair that was near the window. “Nicer lingerie, you say? Maybe we should go shopping tomorrow, if you’re comfortable about leaving, we still don’t know who this guy is. Maybe we could go to Billings. It’s only about an hour and a half from here.”
Her eyes lit up. “I would love to get out and go shopping.”
“Then I say we go tomorrow.”
She bit down on her lower lip. “I would love that.”
I crawled onto the bed and slowly made my way up to her. It was clear Piper wasn’t giving up her spot.
With a giggle, Mallory said, “Someone doesn’t want to move.”
Glaring at my dog, I said, “Piper, you’ve gotten your time with her. It’s my turn.”