Page 163 of Seven Deadly Sins

He tilted her face to his. “And that is okay.” He lowered his head and kissed her. Soft at first, but growing in intensity and heat as if they had a future worth of kisses to put into that one kiss, that one moment of letting go of boundaries and giving into emotion.

Both were breathless when they pulled away.

“I…I’ll go take that bath now.” Before she did something she couldn’t back away from.

He gave a sexy one-sided smile. “Probably a good idea.”

Wow. She closed the bathroom door and leaned against it. She’d savor that kiss for as long as she lived.

When the doorbell rang, she stepped from the bubbles still left in the tub, dressed in cotton drawstring pants and a tank top and joined Liam on the sofa. He jabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza toward the TV screen.

“News reporters made it to the gate.”

“Brave after what happened the last time.” She grabbed a slice of her own and sat cross-legged on the sofa.

“Blowing up the copter was simply a show of strength. Letting us all know that he would follow through on any threats.” He finished the slice and reached for another one.

“This looks an awful lot like history is repeating itself.” The familiar icy fist gripped her heart. A feeling that rarely left her anymore.

“Yeah.” Liam wiped his mouth and hands, then got to his feet. “Right now, Robert and his people are staying behind that gate. Let’s hope they stay there until we’re ready to move on our end.”

Harper closed the box with the few remaining slices and stored it in the refrigerator. “Goodnight.” She started to head for her room.

“Not so fast.” His arm snaked around her waist, and he pulled her close. “Not without a goodnight kiss.”

She was more than happy to oblige.

~

Robert couldn’t sleep. The pain in his head had intensified. No amount of prayer or alcohol numbed the pain. Neither did having Annie in his bed. The former cop was more than happy to do anything he asked.

He popped two more pain pills and poured another shot of whiskey. He wasn’t worried about the combination. No one died before their time.

“Is there anything I can do?” Annie ran her hand across his back.

“No.” He marched to the window. The spotlight on top of a news van shined through the wood slats of the fence.

“I can make them go away.”

“No. They’re right where I want them.” He wanted the world’s attention on him. Wanted its sympathy. He would need as many people on his side as possible when things got rough. People who would follow his commands, stand in front to shield him, follow him to the end.

His gaze moved to the largest outbuilding that housed most of the single men. Not one of them would back down from a fight. Most of the women would most likely be in the thick of things. Underneath the compound, his men had widened the storm cellar to provide a safe place for the mothers and children if the compound was attacked. He had thought of everything.

He downed another shot of whiskey, then left the building. Sometimes, when the pain was at its worst, a walk around what had become the beginnings of his kingdom helped. Pride filled him at every obedient guard at his post. At those who worked under the light of lanterns to complete their assigned tasks.

All nodded without smiling or speaking. All knew the severity and importance of the fight to come. That’s why he had them working around the clock in shifts. The protection of the compound needed to be completed before he could make his next move. Once he did, law enforcement would storm the place.

That’s when he would bring the agent and the detective to their end while the whole world watched.

~

Liam woke the next morning with a smile on his face. Harper might not have said she loved him back, but he’d seen the emotion in her eyes. God willing, they’d get the chance for him to hear the words slip from her lips.

Would she move to Little Rock with him? She’d said Oakdale was her home. Could he give up his career for the small-town life?

Some of the joy of the day before rolled off him, crashing to the floor like a shattered water glass. Maybe all they had together was right now, this moment.

He sat up. If so, he’d take every second with her he had.