Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
I can’t keep up with his questions, and trying to think only hurts my head. But I know better than to think he’ll let this go unless I give him an answer. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. That’s why I’m here. I saw you leaving, and I was worried.”
“About me?”
“Who else?”
“Delilah. I’m the last person who needs somebody following them to make sure they don’t get hurt.”
“Are you sure about that?” I open my eyes just enough to shoot him a dirty look. “Because I found you lying in a dirty alley.”
“That’s my business.” Then it’s a pretty fucked-up business, but I keep my mouth shut. I like Kind Lucas and don’t want him to go away.
“How did you know I was leaving? Did somebody tell you?” I hear the suspicion in his voice.
“No. It’s nothing like that. I was following you.”
“That makes me feel much better.”
“You know what I mean. I checked on you, and you were headed out to the helipad.”
“But why were you checking on me? That’s what I’m trying to understand. Why would you do that?”
Maybe it’s the irritation in his voice that stirs my own irritation. “Because you haven’t been honest with me. I saw that woman.”
“Which woman?” he mutters.
“Which one would I be talking about? The blond lady who came out of your apartment. I heard her in your office, too. That’s who I was talking about when I went to see you the other day. I know she’s around.”
“Wait a minute.” There’s laughter in his voice, the jerk, like my feelings are all a big joke. “You think something is going on there? Is that what this is about?”
“Don’t make a joke about it. It’s not funny.”
“No, it’s not funny.” That doesn’t stop him from chuckling. “But in a way, it kind of is because you have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.”
I wish my heart wouldn’t swell the way it does at his reaction. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. That’s not what it looked like. I know, people say that when they get caught and don’t want to fess up. But it’s really not like that at all.”
He leans down, a grin touching the corners of his mouth as he parts my hair to get a better look at what I know has to be a bump on my head.
“If it interests you, I’ll tell you the truth. You’re the only woman I’ve been with since we… became involved. I don’t exactly make it a habit of sleeping around. Women are a complication I can’t really have in my line of work.”
There goes my heart, swelling again. I hate to think he has this power over me, but I wouldn’t change it even if I could. Because it feels too good being cared for now, with him being so gentle and tender. It doesn’t mean I’m not annoyed with him for being so secretive, but the good feelings are muting all the negative ones right now.
He picks up a second ice pack lying on the nightstand and flops down beside me, and I stroke the side of his face. He lets out a long sigh. “Now. On to you. What are you doing sneaking away from school? This was a bad idea, and you know it. I can only defend so many bad decisions before you have to be punished.”
“I understand. But like I said, I had to see you.”
“Let’s put that aside for a minute.” Like somehow, the thought of it makes him unhappy. Is it that unthinkable, somebody caring about him? “How did you manage it? I know someone must’ve helped you.”
I nibble on my bottom lip. “I don’t want to get anybody into trouble.”
Lucas lifts a brow. “Answer the question. Who did it?”
I shake my head. I don’t want to tell him, but I can only hope I don’t regret this. “It was Ren. He saw me follow you out to the helipad and offered to get a helicopter for me.”
Lucas snorts, “How helpful of him.”
“Please, don’t get me in trouble with him. I already have enough—”
He holds a finger to his lips, shaking his head. “Relax. Getting yourself all worked up in the pain you’re in will only make things worse. I hear what you’re saying. That doesn’t mean I’m happy about him helping you sneak around.”
“He was only trying to help.”
“Was he?” He blows out another sigh, his eyes narrowing. “Or was this something else entirely, a move on Xander’s part? Maybe he was helping to get rid of you?”
How could I be so stupid?
“Oh. I didn’t think of that.”
“Obviously.”
“Don’t be mad at me. Please.” There’s only so much I can take right now.
“I can’t help feeling a little irritated with you, but that’s because you put yourself in danger. I’m not worth that. I wish you’d get that through your head.”