Page 60 of Monster

After a call from Deacon asking for his assistance, Drake waited at the doors to Luca’s cell as they slowly opened. Fear had gripped him at first, until Deacon had updated him on Luca’s well-being. He was being moved to a less secure part of the facility, a reward for his continued control.

If things went well there, Luca had a chance for true freedom. A smile graced Drake’s face at the thought.

A real life… together?

As the door finally slid open, Drake cast a glance inside the doors and saw the doctors present.

And Bull.

He froze, unsure of himself.

The rhino turned to face him.“We’re about to move him to a secured room.I thought you could ensure there are no bumps in the road.”

No ‘hello’. No ‘how are you doing?’ There was no emotion in Bull’s voice or face. But then, there was no ire, either—so maybe they’d made a half-step toward acceptance of him and Luca.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Drake turned and glanced at Luca. The man stood ready at the bars—heat swept through his eyes when they locked gazes.

And a swirl of light glowed deep in them.

Drake felt a surge of hope, but carefully tried to temper it.He didn’t remember me.

He took a few steps closer. Luca’s hair was damp, and he wore a set of sweats that looked a bit too snug in places for his muscled body. Off to the corner of the cell, he saw someone had brought Luca a portable military shower to clean himself.

The scent of a fresh, clean Luca drove him to the edge.

“You look well.” It has been a couple of days—days he’d wanted to spend here, at Luca’s side.

“I feel… better.And I understand it’s thanks to you.”

Drake smiled slightly.“You did a lot of the work, too.”

Luca chuckled.“Perhaps that’s why I’ve felt so tired.”

“Do you remember anything from when I was there… in your mind?” The fact Luca hadn’t known him once freed—it had shattered him.

“Little bits and pieces,” Luca said. “I sense we have a bond.”

Drake’s heart did a double beat. He let out a slow breath to give him a moment to collect himself. “I believe we do.”

“Why have you not come before now?”

Drake didn’t want to disparage the man’s son and point a finger. “I had a job I had to do. I only recently returned.”

“Ahh,” Luca said. “I hope it went well.”

“Yes. It did.”

“We’re ready,” Killian said, coming up to Drake’s side.He held a needle in his hand.“This should keep you calm as we move you.”

“Is that really necessary?” Drake asked.

“It’s not a tranquilizer… just a very mild sedative… so mild it won’t make you sleep, just groggy.”

“Again, is it necessary?” Drake asked.

“It’s a safety precaution,” Bull called out from behind them. “It will slow down his reactions and keep him calm.”

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