Page 85 of Perfect Sin

He takes a deep breath. “Where do we start?”

I cringe. “First I have to apologize to Ford.”

Lucien nods. “Yeah, you do. You were a dick. He isn’t after my sister.”

“You know he loves her,” I argue, even though I’ve already decided to put this behind us.

Lucien shrugs. “Can you blame him? But he let her go. I wasn’t there, so I can’t say I know exactly how it went down, but you didn’t force him away from her, he made that decision on his own. He might love her, but he isn’t in love with her.”

“See, that just doesn’t make sense to me,” I admit. That’s the part that has bothered me all along. I trust Raven, but he’s the better option for her. Part of me believes she should choose him.

“That’s because you are in love with her. Not being consumed by her doesn’t make sense to you, because that’s your reality.”

“When did you become the expert on being in love?” Lucien has never shown attachment to anyone, not me or Raven even. Though, I suppose I understand that a bit better now.

“I am capable of loving people. I see the way you look at me when Raven is around. Just because I’m good at hiding my feelings doesn’t mean I don’t have them. I’m just afraid of her being taken from me again. At first that’s what I thought you were doing. I love my sister, she’s the only family I have, and whether you believe it or not, I would die for her.”

I see him clearly now. Hiding behind a mask of not giving a shit, he watches and protects in the shadows. He’s done the same for me over the years, and I feel bad for doubting him.

“None of us escaped Damien unscathed, did we?” I say after a few moments.

“He breaks everything he touches. He won’t get his hands on my sister. You can trust me on that.”

“I’ve got to call Ford.” A thought occurs to me, a way to give Raven a little bit of her power back. “Can you call Amber and ask her if she knows how to dye hair?”

“Need a new look?” he smirks.

I shake my head. “Raven accidentally bleached the ends of her hair. I don’t want her to have to deal with that Monday. She’s already missed almost a week of school.”

His jaw clenches. “Shit. Of course, I’ll call her. Think Ted will be pissed if I spend some time alone with her?”

“I have no idea what arrangement the three of you have worked out. My advice, if it means anything to you, talk to him first.”

I wouldn’t push him for details or judge him. What attracts him has always been different than what I’ve been drawn to, but anyone can see there’s a bond between the three of them. If they bring some light to his life, then I’m grateful he’s found them.

“Good idea. I’ll call Ted first.”

I leave him to do that. I’ve got my own awkward conversation to look forward to.

Ford picks up after the first ring since his phone is practically glued to his hand normally. “We need to talk,” I say after he answers.

“I figured you’d be calling. Meet me at the bar. I feel like this conversation requires beer.”

“Sure,” I agree and hang up. I know he means to meet right now.

“Lucien,” I shout from the kitchen.

He steps back out from his room and waits for me to tell him what I need.

“Can you stay here with Raven? I’m going to meet Ford.”

“Sure. I’m not comfortable leaving her alone either.”

I grab the keys off the counter and head out.

As usual, Carlo is behind the bar. Thankfully, Tessa is nowhere in sight. He notices me looking around and rolls his eyes. “She’s not here if that’s who you’re looking for.”

“I’m actually looking to make sure she’s not here,” I confirm.

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