Page 5 of Lured By the Cartel

His expression darkened instantly, suspicion replacing fear momentarily."I told you-"

"Not good enough,"I cut him off harshly, stepping closer until he backed away instinctively."Try again."

He swallowed hard, pressing himself against the wall as if seeking refuge from my intense scrutiny. Little did he know, running only made me want to chase harder.

"I-I'm serious,"he insisted weakly, avoiding my gaze."My friend and I just wanted somewhere safe to stay during my heat. We didn't mean any harm."

Bullshit. Total bullshit.But pushing wouldn't get me anywhere right now. Not unless I wanted to scare him senseless. Which, admittedly, I kinda did. The caveman part of me reveled in seeing him cower under my dominance, eager to see how much further I could push him.

"Alright,"I conceded reluctantly, backing off slightly."Let's say I believe you. For now. But understand this, Lucas: Nightshade territory isn't some place to mess around lightly. There are rules here, consequences for breaking them."

He nodded, looking appropriately chastised.Good boy.

"And just like everybody else,"I continued,"you have to follow those rules. To obey orders given by me or my men. Got it?"

More nodding, more obedience. Fuck, that felt good. Made me want to test his limits, see how far he'd bend for me.

"But first,"I said, softer this time, watching his shoulders relax infinitesimally."Tell me about yourself. Who are you, Lucas Chen?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, surprising me.Cute.

"Just a college student,"he replied casually, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear."Studying art history. Normal stuff."

Normal stuff? Nothing about him seemed normal to me. Everything felt different, heightened somehow since meeting him. Even breathing seemed harder, each inhale filling my lungs with more of his sweet scent than they could handle.

"And whatreallybrings an art student to our neck of the woods?"I insisted, trying desperately to keep the conversation flowing naturally despite my racing thoughts.

He shrugged nonchalantly."Like I said, needed space. Somewhere quiet to work on my projects undisturbed."He was consistent, at least, with his lies.

Before I could delve deeper, a soft whimper escaped his lips, drawing my attention immediately. His face flushed pink, embarrassment clear in those big doe eyes.

"What's wrong?"I asked gently, resisting the urge to reach out and touch him comfortingly. Barely.

"My heat,"he mumbled, avoiding eye contact."It's starting early."

Fuck. That meant his suppressants weren't working properly anymore. Or maybe he hadn't taken them regularly. Either way, it put him in a vulnerable position, one I shouldn't take advantage of. Yet, goddammit, I still wanted to. Badly.

"We should get you settled then,"I managed to say instead, gesturing towards the en-suite bathroom connected to my room."There are supplies in there - towels, blankets... whatever else you might need."

He hesitated briefly before heading inside, leaving the door open a crack. I leaned against the wall opposite, listening intently as water ran and fabric rustled, imagining him stripping down, revealing that creamy skin inch by inch...

Down, boy,I ordered silently, adjusting myself discreetly once more. No matter how tempting, no matter how much I wanted to storm in there and ravish every inch of him, I had to maintain control. Had to protect him, keep him safe until we sorted things out between us.

When he finally emerged, wrapped tightly in one of my fluffy robes, I barely managed to contain my groan. Jesus Christ, even covered head-to-toe, he looked fuckable. And when he climbedonto my bed, curling up beneath the covers like a kitten seeking warmth, all rational thoughts flew out the window.

Mine. Mine, mine, mine.My cock throbbed painfully, straining against my jeans as primal instincts roared to life within me.Claim him. Mark him. Make him yours forever.

But I held back. Somehow, miraculously, I resisted the overpowering urges threatening to consume me completely. Because despite everything screaming otherwise, something deep down told me that rushing into anything with Lucas would be a mistake. A huge fucking mistake.

So instead of pouncing on him like the animal I felt like, I turned away, forcing myself to focus on anything but the temptation lying mere feet away.

"You'll sleep here tonight,"I announced gruffly, moving towards the door."We'll figure out tomorrow together."

He murmured something softly in response, too low for me to hear clearly. Probably 'goodnight,' most likely thanking me. Whatever it was, it made my heart clench unexpectedly, stirring feelings long forgotten, buried deep after years of solitude and violence.

As I stepped outside, closing the door firmly behind me, I couldn't help glancing back one last time. He was already curled up under the blankets, eyes closed, lashes casting shadows across his cheeks. Sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging within me.

Tomorrow, I promised silently, turning away resolutely. Tomorrow, we'd talk again. Sort shit out. Figure out who exactly Lucas Chen really was, and where he truly belonged.

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