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Liam snorted. “Bet that was a brief conversation. Victor had to be nervous being around a female capable of plucking all the dirty little secrets out of his skull. Then with a snap of her fingers, have him swinging from the draperies like a monkey popping Ritalin.”

Jericho belted out a laugh while Alex’s cheeks pulled into a smile. One that did strange things to Liam’s heart.

He scowled, eyeing Jericho. “Hold up. You’re cutting ties with Victor?”

“Since I’ve more than fulfilled my oath, I’m taking an extended leave to focus on more pressing matters.”

Alex beamed up at her mate, love shining in her eyes.

The frightened child Liam had saved all those years ago was gone. His Sunshine had grown into a confident, powerful woman. Victor would be a fool to cross her now. Hell, Liam wasstillseeing double from whatever mojo she’d used on him in the warehouse, not that she’d ever know it. He rather liked the expression on her face. It was something he’d never seen on her before. A hard lump lodged in his throat.

He gave her slim fingers a squeeze. “It looks good on you, Sunshine.”

“What’s that?” She tilted her head.

“Happy,” Liam answered.

Jericho wrapped his arm around her waist, and Liam let her go. She couldn’t be in better hands.

Neither could Jericho, for that matter.

His old friend looked at Alex like she was the sun shining at the center of his world.

Warmth unfurled in Liam’s expanding chest. These two deserved a bit of happiness in their lives. He was glad for whatever part he played in that, no matter how painful. He scratched one of the wounds on his ribs.

“All right, you two. Go on and get out of here. I’m sure you have better things to do than stare at my ugly mug all night.”

Alex laughed, leaning down to brush a kiss on his cheek. “Love you, Liam.”

His ears heated, and he coughed into his fist. He was never good at the mushy shit.

Jericho watched him squirm with a knowing smirk, then shook his hand. “Take care, my friend.” He turned and swept Alex into his arms. “Time to go, Bride.”

She squawked, beaming up at him. “Go where?”

“Anywhere we want.”

Her laughter followed them out the door. Damn, but it was a beautiful sound.

Liam dropped his head back on the pillow. The ceiling tile above him swayed like a ship at sea. He squeezed his eyes closed. “Fucking brain injuries.”

His ears twitched at the sound of the door opening.Back already?“Yeah, yeah, love you too.” He waved in Alex’s direction, not bothering to raise his head.

“Hmmm. What a pleasant welcome,” purred a sultry voice.

Liam’s eyes flicked open, and his head snapped off the pillow. “Vivian?”

Vivian Laurent stalked toward his bed with a seductive roll to her full hips. Her stiletto heels tapped a slow-paced rhythm across the tiled floor. Her black lace dress outlined every one of her tantalizing curves, and an onyx teardrop necklace dipped into the valley of her plump breasts.

She stopped at his bedside, honeyed gaze sliding over his bare torso, categorizing every flaw and imperfection.

“Shame on you, Liam.” Her perfectly arched brow slanted with displeasure. “Is this how you take care of my investment?” She raked a crimson nail down his chest. Muscles twitched in its wake. “I mean, really, I was aware you were avoiding me, but this is taking things to extremes. Don’t you think?”

He struggled for words. “Vivian, what are you doing here?”

She planted a hand on her rounded hip. “I bumped into your former Chosen at Marcus’ casino opening. You can imagine my surprise when I realized she was no longer yours. It was Alex who told me assassins at Howlers had wounded you.” Concern darkened her flawless features. “I contacted the manager of your bar, and he said you were recovering at Claymore.”

Frigging Gavin. The demon was so enamored with Vivian’s phone-sex voice, he probably thought he was doing Liam a favor sending her his way.