He Took My Vengeance to Covet Me

Chapter 9

"What are you doing here?"

I glared at Lucas, who stood there spaced out, my voice a low, sharp hiss.

He pressed a finger to his lips, gaze distant, ignoring me completely.

Only when I jabbed his shoulder did he jolt back to reality like he'd been shocked awake.

"Oh—I called in some favors. Pack your things. I'm sending you abroad..."

My hands trembled, unsure where to rest. "You're not handing me over to Anthony? Then what about you?"

He gave a wry laugh. "What choice do I have? Guess I'll tag along with you, wherever the road takes us."

I studied his face, my mind reeling, before forcing out the question. "Why? You didn't owe me this."

Something in my expression made his eyes soften instantly. He threaded his fingers through my hair, murmuring, "Winnie, you deserve more than this. You're not some prize to be won or traded."

My hands shook so hard I could hear my bones rattle until his grip steadied them. "Sleep. Tomorrow, we break out of this cage."

Before I could stop myself, I crushed him against me.

His body went rigid, voice cracking. "Winnie... you gotta let go. I... I need to go..."

I leaned in, lips brushing his ear. "Lucas, what's your price? My body?"

His ears burned red, all the way to the tips. "D-don't read into it. Not just for you. I'm done being their dog."

I guided his hand to my hip. He yanked it back like I'd scalded him.

"I repulse you?" My voice turned ragged.

"N-no! It's not—this isn't some deal. I want to help you."

He stumbled back, gaze snagging on my open collar before jerking away. "Winnie, I'm not like them. I just... I can't stand seeing you like this."

Pity me?

When was the last time someone cared enough to say that?

That word... I hadn't heard it since the day Anthony's mother took my mother's life.

Before I knew it, fat tears were rolling down my face in hot, messy streaks. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

Lucas panicked, dabbing clumsily at my tears with his sleeve. "Shh, don't cry. Tomorrow—I swear on my life—tomorrow we're getting out of here."

I cupped his face, staring into those liquid-dark eyes that always looked so honest. "Lucas, can't you stay? If you walk out that door, I'll convince myself none of this was real."

He pulled me into his arms, his hand gently patting my back. "I have to go, Winnie. But trust me—by this time tomorrow, your dream will come true."

That familiar scent of sun-warmed cotton and something uniquely him wrapped around me. I pressed closer, feeling his body temperature rise. Then I felt it—the hard press of his arousal against my thigh.

Lucas went rigid and tried to put space between us without being obvious. But I wasn't having it. My arms locked around his waist, and when he froze, I hooked a leg around his hips, pulling him flush against me.

"Winnie... god, you can't..." His voice came out strangled.