Liam pins Carlos under a gaze so sharp, I twist my fingers together, the nerves in my hands burning. Shame crawls up my skin like fire.

What was I thinking letting another man stand so close? Letting him touch me?

“I— I got some ink on my face,” I stammer, panic making my voice thin. “He was just helping.”

“Mr. Desmond.” Carlos greets him easily, composed as ever.

Liam steps inside, nods once to him then crosses the room until he is standing between us. A wall of calm ...