Page 62 of Pretty Monsters

"He's right, I don't deserve you," he says into the top of my head.

"I think that's for me to decide," I chide.

"You love her," Lucien says, astonished.

Sin goes stiff in my arms.

"I think that's for them to figure out," Ford snaps.

"Fine, but this isn't just a hookup?" Lucien rephrases.

Sin lets me go, but holds my hand. "No, it's not a hookup."

Lucien sits back down. "Wow." He shakes his head. "Okay, I don't have to worry that you won't do everything it takes to keep her safe, I guess."

"That's it?" I ask.

He smiles sadly at me. "I'm sorry, little bird. I still see you as a little girl because I didn't get to see you grow up. You were the only person that belonged to me when I was younger, even though it was rare we got to see each other. I'm dealing with all sorts of big brother instincts I'm not used to."

I step from behind Sin, and this time no one stops me. Dropping down next to Lucien, he gently lifts my hair and studies the cut on my head. "I'm so goddamn sorry I hurt you. I wasn't trying to, and I feel like the biggest piece of shit for causing you pain."

"I can see that," I tell him. I'm not going to tell him it's okay, and I won't say I forgive him until I do.

"Can you promise me something?" he asks me.

I pull back from him, and his hand drops from my hair.

"You don't trust me yet," he observes. "I'll prove it to you. Can you give me that chance?"

"Yes. Is that what you wanted to ask me?"

"Uhm." His face turns red, and he rubs his palms across his jeans. "No. I promise not to walk into your room without knocking and being told to come in. Can both of you promise not to get freaky while I'm home?"

Sin laughs. "Yeah, that can be arranged."

"Good." Lucien nods. "I'm going to pretend that all you do is hold hands while you sleep."

Ford chuckles and Sin glares at him.

"I feel like I've missed something," Lucien observes.

"Oh, a ton," I confirm.

"Do I want to know?" he asks.

Ford and I say, "No," at the same time.

Lucien looks to Sin. "Do I hate him?"

Sin shrugs. "You can try, but the fucker is kinda hard to hate."

* * *

"What else is going on?"Sin asks Lucien. "You still seem upset, and I don't think it has anything to do with Raven."

"Going to work at Fallen Angels was a mistake," he answers. "I'm trying to keep a low profile, but I've noticed that almost all of the dancers are from a foreign country. Not just that, but they don't seem to speak English at all."

"Shit," Sin curses.

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