Page 11 of Lured By the Cartel

My heart pounded in my chest suddenly, fear surging through me anew as memories rushed back—the screams, the fight, the blow to my head...

Then, a voice rumbled low beside my ear, sending shivers down my spine despite my predicament."Lucas?"Strong arms tightened around me briefly, squeezing gently before releasing slightly. Relief washed over me instantly, recognition calming my frayed nerves.

Marco.

He was here. With me. Holding me close, protecting me. How did he find me? Stupid question again, I thought. It was easy for him to find me.

"Wh-what are you doing here?"I croaked weakly, turning my face towards him. His dark gaze met mine, relief shining bright before quickly morphing into annoyance. Fake annoyance, if I knew him well enough already. Which, apparently, I did since I recognized it so easily.

"I should ask you the same,"he grunted, shifting us slightly until we sat upright instead of leaning against each other. Distance opened between our bodies, yet his heat still envelopedme, making it impossible to ignore his nearness. Or how good he smelled. Or how safe he made me feel just by being present.

I sighed internally, knowing I couldn't avoid explaining myself this time. Lying would only make things worse. Besides, maybe if I told him everything, he'd understand why I came back. Why I couldn't stay away, no matter how much I tried.

"My heat..."I started, trailing off helplessly. God, this was harder than expected. How did people talk about their emotions anyway? Especially when those emotions involved alphas claiming them against their will-

Or rather, not exactly 'against their will,' because honestly, who was I kidding? I wanted him. Wanted what he offered me. Still did, no matter how much I tried convincing myself otherwise. There was no point in lying to myself. There never was.

His brow furrowed, confusion clear in those stormy irises."Your heat?"He echoed slowly, comprehension dawning gradually."You mean..."

I nodded miserably, looking away ashamedly."Yeah. It's not gone yet. Not fully. I guess... I guess part of me hoped coming here might help."Help how, exactly? I didn't know anymore. Maybe help me forget? Maybe help me remember? Either way, it wasn't working out like planned.

Silence stretched between us then, heavy and awkward. Eventually, he broke it, sighing deeply."Lucas..."He began softly, only to pause, seemingly searching for words. Words I doubted he found often.

In that moment, one of the men fighting with the knives killed the other. He waved his hand to us before disappearing into the forest. Marco waved back.

It turned out that he was one of Marco's men.

"What?"I prompted finally, needing to hear whatever he had to say and coming back to our talk. No use delaying the inevitable, right?

"It's dangerous here,"he stated firmly, gesturing vaguely around us."Especially for omegas. You shouldn't have come alone."

I rolled my eyes, unable to resist rolling my shoulders in a half-shrug."Like I had a choice,"I muttered under my breath."Not like anyone else could've helped me."

He stiffened noticeably, surprise flashing across his face momentarily before anger darkened those expressive features."What do you mean?"

Oops. Apparently, I said more than intended. Time to backpedal quickly before causing unnecessary drama."Nothing,"I hurried to assure him, waving dismissively."Just... Kessia doesn't really get it. Not like you do."

Of course she didn't. She couldn't. She was just my friend.

He searched my expression intently, probably trying to gauge whether I spoke truthfully or not. After a while, he seemed satisfied, nodding once sharply."Good,"he grunted gruffly, turning away abruptly."Now let's go before someone else decides to take advantage of your stupidity."

Stupidity? Really? That was harsh. But considering my recent actions, maybe he wasn't wrong after all.

Chapter 6

Marco

We then started trudging through the dense foliage together, Lucas trailing several steps behind me. My mind raced, thoughts whirling chaotically as I grappled with feelings stirring within me at seeing him again. Fuck, I hadn't thought it possible to miss someone so damn much in such a short time. Yet there it was, this longing gnawing at me, threatening to consume every rational thought.

I should be able to control myself better, but couldn't. I hated myself for being that way.

He somehow looked different too—paler, tired perhaps, but still fucking beautiful. Even with that bruise forming on his forehead, he took my breath away effortlessly. Made me want to protect him fiercely despite knowing better.

I took care of the asshole that had hurt him. I would never allow the same to happen again.

Jesus Christ, he was young. Too goddamn young for someone like me, old enough to be his father practically. The age gap weighed heavily upon my conscience, reminding meconstantly of everything separating us—experience, wisdom, strength...

Fuck, now wasn't the time to dwell on such things. Not when danger lurked nearby, ready to pounce at any given moment. Not when my men were engaged in battle mere yards away, fighting against our sworn enemies, the DeLuca Cartel.

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