"I need to do something first. Let me do this, Kathleen. I promise it will be worth it."
Kathleen relaxed in his grasp. "All right, but you tell her I love her, and I'll talk to her soon."
"I will, I promise."
"I'll help you find Michelle."
He found her first though. A group of men surrounded her by the back wall. He moved through the group and leaned against the wall beside her. He took her drink out of her hand and sipped from it.
"Did I say you could have that?" she asked coldly.
"I'm used to taking what I want." He smiled at her as he handed her cup back.
"Where's the wife?"
"Who?"
"The little wifey. Where is she tonight?"
"I don't know and don't care."
"Did you two have a lover's quarrel last night?" Her voice was husky and seductive.
Anger blazed through him at the reminder, but he managed to keep it under control. "Can't quarrel with a lover unless they are your lover."
Michelle glanced through the crowd, and he followed her eyes. Kathleen was standing off to the side watching them. Doug stood beside her, his mouth hanging open. Kathleen grabbed his arm and pulled him away as she shot Liam a look over her shoulder. Liam didn't know if Kathleen had done it on purpose, or if she was really pissed, but the look she gave him could have frozen Hell.
"Is that why you're here?" Michelle inquired through lowered lashes. "Need a little relief?"
Revulsion washed through him at the thought, but he managed to keep his face impassive as he turned back to her. "Thought we could both use a little relief."
Her eyes flew to his as she smiled slyly. "That may be true, but I don't plan on going there again, not after the way you treated me last time."
"We both know we only wanted one thing that night."
"Maybe so," she whispered huskily. "But you didn't have to be so mean to me after."
"Ah, but I had to."
"And why is that?"
"Because I can't resist a challenge."
She lifted a delicate brow as her mouth curved. "A challenge?"
He laughed coldly and turned to face her as he propped his hand on the wall beside her head. He leaned in so close that his chest brushed against hers. Her body arched into him as her mouth parted. He pushed down a shiver of revulsion as he forced himself to smile. "Everyone said I couldn't get near Sera. I proved I could. I never refuse a challenge, and now it's gone."
"So she finally gave it up," Michelle purred. "I thought you cared for her."
"Now, Michelle, you should know better than that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He rested his lips against her ear. "I'm just like you. All we want to do is please ourselves."
She laughed and tossed back her hair as she stared up at him. "I'm not like that."
"Oh really?" He brushed back her hair. "Well, I know you pleased me, and I know I pleased you."
"Oh really?" she inquired as she sipped her drink. "What makes you think that?"
He glanced pointedly down at the hardened nipples pressed against his chest. "You do. I think we need to do it again."
She touched his chest lightly. "So you can make me look like a fool again. No thanks."
He grinned and leaned closer to her. "Whatever you say, sweetie. It's your loss."
She stared at him as he took a step back. "I can't leave this party with you," she said.
He had her. "I understand, beautiful. We'll meet somewhere else."
"Where?"
"Meet me in the park, by the gazebo. We'll have a little picnic and enjoy each other."
"All right."
"Ten minutes." He rubbed his finger along her lip. "Don't be late."
"Oh, I won't. You be ready for some real pleasure."
"I already am."
He turned and walked rapidly through the crowd. Kathleen was standing by the keg with Doug, Jack, and Danielle. They were all staring at him with mixed expressions of surprise and distrust.
"You better know what you're doing," Kathleen grated.
Liam poured himself a drink and took a long swallow. "I do."
"If you hurt her again, I'll kill you," she said flatly.
Liam shot her a look as he tossed the rest of his beer in the trash and walked away.
"Where are we?" Sera murmured.
"The park."
"What are we doing here?"
Liam sat back in his seat and turned to face her. Her eyes were a vivid purple in her pale face. Her bottom lip trembled, but her eyes were dry. "I need to take care of something."
"What?"
"Michelle."
"How?" she whispered.
"She's going to meet me here."
"What are you going to do?"
"Try not to think about it right now. Come here."
He pulled her into his arms. She laid her head in his lap; her small hand curled around his thigh as her eyes drifted closed. He stroked her hair as he took in her pale face and the thick bandage on the side of her neck. His hand clenched as he ground his teeth.
He lifted his head to meet Mike's gaze in the rearview mirror. Liam looked away from him before Mike could see how close the demon in him was to breaking free. He looked out at the night. It was eerily hushed. There were no moon or stars, but he could see the trees. A steeliness stole its way through his body. He wanted to kill Michelle and anyone else who had ever caused Sera harm. He continued to stroke her hair as he tried to keep himself grounded with her.
He glanced at the clock. "I have to go," he said. "I'll be back soon; will you be all right?"
"Yes."
He took off his jacket and lifted her head to slide it underneath her. "I love you," he whispered. She curled into a ball as he opened the door and stepped out. "Come on," he said to Mike.
Mike looked dumbfounded before he thrust his door open and stepped out. "You don't want me to stay with her?"
Liam glanced back at Sera. She looked incredibly small and so wounded it tore at his heart. He hated
