The Risk Takers

Part 36 | Home

Liam drops the last large box into our new living room and it hits the hardwood floor with a thud. I stand with my hands on my hips and I am more than satisfied with the ranch style home my parents bought for us. I glance to Liam as he gazes out the back door and say, "Do you think Teddy minds being in a guest house?

He looks to me and smiles, "That guest house is nicer than any apartment he could have afforded." I look out back and watch as Teddy dumps an arm full of boxes onto the grass. He puts one hand on his hip and uses the other to wipe sweat off his brow. He's not used to the Texan heat yet. I told him it will cool off next month but he said he's used to enjoying Halloween in shorts.

I turn back to Liam and we glance around our open floor plan. It's weird not to have an upstairs but my parents thought a ranch style would be better when we have a toddler running around. Liam looks to me and says, "I think my mother will enjoy having us a few hours away from her when the baby comes."

My eyes narrow at him as I say, "Sometimes I wonder if three hours is too close." He smirks but I don't say anything else. She was relieved to hear that Topher was no longer lurking around, even though she said she hadn't seen him in ten years.

My eyes run over my new surroundings and I am wondering where to start first. It ended up taking us a little over a month to pack up everything and wait for my mom to finalize the purchase of the house. Liam and Teddy both left their jobs amicably and his captain said he'd give them glowing recommendations if they ever needed one. Teddy took Harper's suggestion seriously and is considering opening up his own private practice- that way him and Liam can do their own detective work. Liam was immediately on board, that way he can have more time off when the baby comes.

I can still tell that Liam is uncomfortable having his thoughts out in the open. He's trying to learn how to create a shield but so far, he hasn't been able to block anything out. He said he thought he had a vision come to him the night before we left to Texas but he asked how he is supposed to know if it really was a vision or just a vivid dream? I know he's hoping it was a vision. When I asked what it was of he said he didn't want to discuss it. I didn't pry and pushed away any thoughts he had of it, although I did catch the word "attack."

Liam moves a small box off of our white sofa and says, "What room do you want to do first?"

I shrug, "Maybe our room? Get our important stuff put away." He opens his mouth to respond but a knock at the door interrupts us. He looks to me and I say, "We are back in Texas. It's probably the neighbors with a casserole or fruit basket." He frowns and I know I am going to go and be the greeter. He nods toward the backyard and then slides the glass door open and I watch as he calls out to Teddy.

My footsteps echo loudly throughout the foyer and I quickly heave our large front door open. I'm smiling when I look to the stranger on my porch but I immediately notice something is off.

A young man, probably no older than eighteen is standing on my porch and he's glaring at me. He's dressed in a red and white baseball tee and his long legs are covered in black jeans. He is not dressed for the heat, which means he's probably not from around here. He stares at me and my stomach flips when I look into his eyes- eyes I know all too well.

"Where is he?" The stranger snaps to me and I shake my head, "I'm sorry? I think you have the wrong house." He takes a step towards me and I am afraid he's going to hit me. I go to slam the door but his hand pushes against it, "You're Eleanor Adler right?" He asks as he keeps the door open. He's close enough to me now that I realize I'm not hearing any whispers. I can't read his mind which means he's a shield. He's still glaring to me so I snap, "What do you want?"

He shakes his head and his hand is still pushing against the door, "I want my dad. Where he is?"

Confused, I look to him and ask, "I think you have me confused with someone else. I don't know who your dad is." He finally pushes the door open with a thrust of his hand and I am almost knocked backwards. I worry that Liam won't hear me call out to him to tell him I am afraid of the young man before me.

The stranger takes a step inside my entry way and looks around. I put my hand out to block him from stepping any further, "I don't know who you are or why you are here but you are now trespassing. My husband is out back and I can guarantee you he will knock you the hell out if you take one more step inside this house." I threaten and I watch him become confused. I stare into his ocean colored eyes and I want to scream out to Liam. The kid folds his arms against his chest and I realize he's probably the same height as Liam too. I swallow hard and summon the courage to ask, "Who is your dad? Why do you think I would know where he is?"

He gives me an eyeroll and with teenage attitude says, "I know who you are. My dad told me all about you. He said he was going to L.A to find you and then suddenly he stops calling me. No one has seen him and I know you know where he is. It took me a little bit to track you down but I've had quite the trip. I'm not afraid to hit a lady so you better start talking."

The whole room narrows around him. I suddenly feel sick and I look away from him. My stomach flips when I hear footsteps behind me. I hear Liam and Teddy laughing as they come into the foyer. Liam stops short when he sees me, "Ellie are you okay?" He glances to the young man behind me, "Who is this?"

The young guy looks to Liam and freezes. Liam doesn't move either and I hear Liam realize he looks an awful lot like this stranger. Teddy's voice slices through the silence, "You have a shield. Who are you?" He asks the kid but I watch as the kid continues to stare at Liam. I flit my gaze to Liam and say, "He's looking for Topher."

The kid then looks to me with a snarl and snaps, "I told you, you knew where my dad was. Where is he?" Liam looks to me in shock and I shake my head in disbelief. The kid reads Liam's thoughts and asks, "What do mean you've seen this before?"

Liam puts his hands up and I can tell the kid has no idea who Liam is. I also heard Liam's thought about this being a vision and worry when I remember the vision had some sort of attack in it. Did Liam really see this? Is he gaining his abilities back on his own?

Liam quietly says, "Topher's my father. Are you telling me he is also your father?" The kid takes a step backward and from his stunned facial expression we can all tell he wasn't expecting this. I look to Liam still in shock and ask, "You have a brother?"

END OF BOOK FOUR

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