Chapter 7

It worried me. I knew this was Amelia’s way of rebelling against the golden cage we lived in, but while Father’s guards found her flirting amusing, there were others out there who might take her the wrong way.

“We have to attend the bridal shower tomorrow, right?” Amelia asked.

“Of course, we do,” Rina muttered. “Milene is the happy bride, remember?”

Amelia let out a sarcastic laugh. “Right.” She sat up quickly. “I’m bored. Let’s go shopping.”

Jackson wasn’t thrilled about this idea. Even with another one of Father’s guards with him, he always complained it was hard to keep us under control. But in the end, he agreed like he always did.

We ended up shopping at a store that sold rocker-chic clothes, the kind Amelia loved. She wanted to try on some of the outfits when I got a text from Liam. It was the first time he’d contacted me directly, and for a moment, I just stared at my phone. Rina peeked over my shoulder in the fitting room. “'Meet me at your hotel at six. - Liam.' How nice of him to ask.”

“What does he want?” I whispered. I had hoped not to see him until our wedding day in August.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Rina said, adjusting her clothes.

I felt nervous. I hadn’t seen Liam in a long time. I tried to smooth down my hair and fix my shirt. Rina had convinced me to wear the tight black jeans I bought earlier. Now, I wondered if a less revealing outfit might have been better. I had fifteen minutes left before Liam’s arrival. I assumed he would call once he was downstairs in the lobby.

“Stop fussing,” Rina said, sitting on the sofa with a magazine.

“I really don’t think this outfit is a good idea.”

“It’s perfect. Men are easy to control. Amelia is only nineteen and has already figured it out. Father always says we’re the weaker sex because we don’t carry guns. But we have other weapons. If you want to survive a marriage to that man, you’ll need to use your body to your advantage. Even cold men like him have a weakness, and it’s between their legs.”

I doubted Liam could be manipulated that easily. He didn’t seem like someone who lost control unless he chose to, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to notice me in that way.

A sudden knock made me jump, and I glanced at the clock. It was too early for Liam. He wouldn’t come up to our suite, would he?

Amelia rushed out of her room before Rina or I could react. She was wearing tight leather pants and a snug black shirt, trying to look mature. Rina and I thought she looked like a nineteen-year-old trying too hard.

She opened the door, pushing her hip out to look sexy. Rina groaned, but I was more focused on the entrance.

“Hi, Liam,” Amelia said brightly. I moved closer and saw Liam standing there. He looked down at Amelia, clearly trying to figure out who she was. Behind him were Adrian, Jake, and Nero. I wondered where Jackson was.

“You must be Amelia, the youngest sister,” Liam said, ignoring her attempt to flirt.

Amelia frowned. “I’m not that young.”

“Yes, you are,” I said firmly, stepping forward and placing my hands on her shoulders. She was only a bit shorter than me. “Go to Rina.”

Amelia shot me a frustrated look but finally went away.

My heart raced as I turned to Liam. His eyes lingered on my legs and then slowly moved up to my face. That look hadn’t been there the last time we met. I realized with a jolt that it was desire. “I didn’t expect you to come up to my suite,” I said awkwardly, realizing I hadn’t greeted him properly.

“Are you going to let me in?” he asked. I hesitated but then stepped back, allowing him and the others to walk in. Only Nero stayed outside and closed the door behind them. I wished he had left it slightly open.

Adrian walked over to Rina, who quickly put down her magazine and shot him a nasty glare. Amelia, on the other hand, gave him a bright smile. “Can I see your gun?”

Adrian grinned, but before he could answer, I interrupted. “No, you can’t.”

I felt Liam’s eyes on me again, this time lingering on my legs and hips. Rina gave me a knowing look, as if to say “I told you so.” She wanted me to use my body to control Liam, but the thought of it terrified me.

“You shouldn’t be alone with us here,” Rina muttered. “It’s not proper.” I nearly laughed. Rina didn’t usually care about being proper.

Liam narrowed his eyes. “Where’s Jackson? Isn’t he supposed to be guarding you?”

“He’s probably taking a smoke or bathroom break,” I replied with a shrug.

“Does he leave you unprotected often?” Liam asked.

“Oh, all the time,” Rina said with sarcasm. “You see, Amelia, Milene, and I sneak out every weekend because we have a bet on who can pick up the most guys.” Amelia let out a bright, mischievous laugh.

“I need to talk to you, Milene,” Liam said, fixing me with his cold gaze.

Rina got up from the couch and came toward us. “I was only joking, for heaven’s sake!” she said, trying to step between Liam and me, but Adrian caught her wrist and pulled her back. Jake stood by the door, watching without getting involved. Lily’s eyes were wide as she took in the scene. “Let go of me, or I’ll break your fingers,” Rina snapped.