Page 25 of Reckless Desires

“You’ll wear whatever you get. For now, I’ll give you one of my shirts and boxers.”

“I don’t mind staying like this. I do need a brush, though.” She glides out of the bathroom, and something inside me wants to pin her against the wall. She’s testing me, thinking I’ll fall victim to her seduction. I’d love to teach her otherwise.

I can’t help but smile at her boldness. She isn’t scared of me at all. Quickly grabbing a brush from the drawer, I follow her into the bedroom she chose.

Liliana lets her hair down from the towel, shaking it out, running her fingers through the tresses. Drops of water fall onto her body and slide down her curves. She doesn't seem bothered by the fact she's naked in front of me, but she doesn't seem like she’s turned on by it either. Not like when she was on the hook.

Tossing her the brush, I remain at the doorframe. “Nico is likely scanning the area. If he decides to bust in and take you again, I don’t think you’ll want to be naked.”

She scoffs. “Trying to make yourself look good? You’re just as bad as he is.”

“Is that so?” I challenge. “Cause I tied you up for biting me? I could have done a lot worse. You’re standing here naked, getting off in my shower. We are far from anyone. I could take you right here, and no one would hear you screaming.”

I step into the room, and she immediately jumps back. Her reaction says enough. Now I’m the one with the victorious smile. Grabbing the nob of the door, I pull it behind me.

Chapter Fifteen

Killian

Ilie awake in bed staring at the ceiling. The last time I slept in my childhood bedroom was the last time I was in Ireland before running away to America some seventeen years ago. The memory burns in my head. Things would have been different if I had just stayed. My phone pings, and I see it’s a message from Donal.

Donal:

You got the Costellos awake and taking action.

Good.

Sitting up in bed, I rub my face. Outside the window, I see something flicker from below. Taking the gun off my nightstand, I put my back against the wall and make my way toward the window to see what is happening below. Sure enough, there are three masked men in all black. The flicker is from the small flashlight one of them is carrying. Do they know whose house they are intruding on?

Wasting no time, I head out of the room and straight toward Liliana’s room. She’s curled up in a ball with a towel wrapped around her body, awake.

“We need to go. Now,” I command.

“Go where?” Her voice is groggy.

“Away from here.” I pull her out of bed.

“You’re not even dressed, and I’m in a fucking towel.”

I yank her toward me. “This is not the time to worry about that shit when we are outnumbered.”

Fear crosses her face. “Who’s here?” She follows behind me.

“I can put my money on that Nico sent them.” I reach the bottom of the stairs; Liliana is barely halfway. “You need to keep up. This isn’t a fucking joke.”

We make our way to the back door of the house. The three men have separated, looking for ways to enter that won’t cause a ruckus. Turning to Liliana, who looks as pale as a ghost, I say, “I need you to focus right now. Both our lives depend on it. You know anything about horses?”

She nods, holding the towel tighter around her. “I’ve won blue ribbons growing up going to events.”

“Good. You’re going to go into the stable, take one of the horses and saddle him up. Be quick. Can you do that?”

“I can do that.”

Chapter Sixteen

Lily

The pain is radiating from my lower back to my abdominals, but I push myself to move as best as I can. The pain is bordering on paralysis, but I need to keep moving. I’m not going to die in a fucking towel. I thought Killian would have noticed something was wrong last night when I got myself back inside, practically limping. But he said nothing. He didn’t ask if I was okay. It doesn’t bother me; I’m used to fighting battles on my own.