Page 29 of Desperate Vows

“I know,” I whispered. I wasn’t even making any sense to myself. I should have wanted him dead, but I didn’t. “Why were you at my house?”

“Well, Franklin wanted me to keep an eye on you while he was gone. I just felt like you needed to stay with me while he was out of town, and when I arrived, your door was busted open.”

“Oh.” My father. Of course, that would’ve been the only reason. “Wait. Did you say you wanted me to stay with you while he was gone?”

“Or longer.” He smiled. “I don’t like you being at that house.”

A long moment passed between us. I had a whirlwind of emotions tickling my spine and making my head spin. He wanted me to stay with him.

More images played, and there was Thea. “Was I imagining Thea being there?”

He shook his head, smiling. “No. We weren’t sure how much trouble Remy was going to give us, and I wasn’t leaving you there.”

“Where’s Remy? Is he okay?”

“Thea found him knocked out in the bushes. He’s fine; he’s just got a whopper of a headache, according to her. We think he was lured out.”

The balloon! I wrapped my arms around my middle. “There was a balloon on the porch. I thought…” Tears burned my eyes as they flooded my vision. “I thought maybe… that maybe…” I couldn’t tell him what I thought. Lucas Kalantzis wouldn’t have a balloon delivered to my house to surprise me. At best, he tolerated me at this point, and he kissed me because I was the closest available candidate.

“Thought what?”

“Nothing. It was stupid to open the door. I should have known something was up because I couldn’t find Remy. I’m such an idiot.” I looked around. “Where am I?”

“Answer the question first. What did you think?”

“It’s not important.”

He took my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes. “What did you think?” He enunciated each word.

It wasn’t like he didn’t know I was pathetic and stupid. What was one more item on the long list of bullet points? “That you sent it.”

“You’re not an idiot.” He kissed my nose. “You’re sweet and trusting. Those aren’t bad qualities.”

“Unless you’re being kidnapped, and then they suck.”

He laughed. “You’re kinda feisty. You know that, right?”

I tried to pull away, but he held me still. With his free hand, he smoothed my hair back and just stared at me. The longer he stared, the harder it was to breathe. I wondered if I begged him to kiss me if he would. Part of me thought that wouldn’t be enough. He was quicksand, and I was slowly sinking.

When he dropped his hand, I was so disappointed I almost whimpered. “Well, you’re safe now.”

I looked around. The walls were painted soft blue-gray. If the dresser was any indication, the furniture was minimalist and black. I could see a rug jutting out from under the bed. It didn’t feel like he was trying to impress anyone. It was beautiful and so peaceful. I didn’t know that I would want to leave when my father returned.

Lucas’s apartment felt more like home than that two-story prison had ever felt.

“The bathroom is next door, and you’re free to use it or mine in the master. I didn’t put you in my room because I didn’t want you to think I’d force you to do anything.”

I got the impression I took him off guard when I launched myself at him and threw my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

Laughter rumbled in his chest and into mine. “You’re mine, Claire, and I take care of what’s mine.”

His. Did that mean for now? Did it continue after I turned twenty-one? The questions were on the tip of my tongue, burning to be asked, but I couldn’t. What if I didn’t like the answers? The moment was comforting, and his arms felt so, so good.

“Do you want to clean up?” He asked as he leaned back.

“I don’t have any clothes.” I suddenly realized I was in skimpy pajamas. My face burned, and I palmed my cheeks, trying to cool them.

“Thea brought some of your things over while you were asleep. They’re by the door.”

---