Page 12 of Crown of Smoke

I don't have an answer for that. I don't understand it myself, this overwhelming need to protect her, to keep her safe, to keep her mine. It’s batshit crazy. The intensity of it scares me.

"She stays out of this, or I walk,” I say with finality.

“How about we talk to her? See what she knows. Maybe we’ll get what we need, and she can stay out of it. If not, we can vote on whether or not to use her skills in the future.” Blaise’s suggestion is reasonable, but I still hate it.

“I’ll talk to her.” The words go against everything I believe.

“Fine.” Phoenix gives me a curt nod.

“Now get out of my house.”

“With pleasure. This place is a dump.” Ash is the first to open the door.

I shut the door behind them, turning the deadbolt with force. Like it’s all I need to keep them away from Lucy.

When I face Lucy again, she’s sitting on my bed. She watches me with those sharp journalist eyes. I swear I can see the questions forming in her mind.

She's got her phone clutched to her chest. I imagine she’s taken notes from tonight for use in her article.

"Let me take you home." The words come out rougher than intended. My brothers' accusations still ring in my ears, making it hard to focus.

"Not until you tell me what's going on." She stands, wincing slightly from the cut on her arm. "Are you going to let me help?”

No. Despite what I agreed to, I don’t plan to let her help. I’m not going to ask her questions about what she’s already found out, either. For the first time in ten years, I’m going to defy my brothers, even betray them.

"What's going on is that it's late, you're hurt, and you need to get home."

"That's not an answer." Her chin tilts up defiantly. "You're working undercover, investigating the Keans. I could help?—”

“Not tonight, Princess.” I force myself to soften my tone. "Look, you got lucky tonight. Next time might be different."

"So there will be a next time?"

Christ. Even injured and exhausted, she's determined. I jam my hands on my hips, fighting the urge to shake some sense into her. "There won't be if you're smart and stay away from the Keans."

"But you're not staying away from them."

"That's different."

"Why?"

Because I'm not some innocent journalist who stumbled into danger. Because I'm out for blood, for vengeance, for everything the Keans stole from my family. Because the thought of your getting caught in the crossfire makes me want to burn this whole city down.

I can't say any of that. Instead, I grab my keys from the counter. "Car. Now."

She opens her mouth to argue, but something in my expression must warn her off. With a frustrated huff, she gathers her things and follows me to the door. “My car is just around the block.”

“I’ll drive you there.” I’m being ridiculous. I can walk her to her car. But I don’t care that I’m going off the deep end. She’s safer in my car than walking down the block.

Once she’s sitting in the passenger seat, I take the wheel and drive the two seconds it takes to her car. Then I help her into her car, making sure none of the Keans’ goons are watching.

“Well, it’s been fun,” she says with sarcasm.

I need to pull my shit together. I manage a cocky smile. "About that date.” I lean in close to her, blocking her from shutting her door. "The offer still stands."

I lean closer, drawn to her like a moth to flame. She looks up at me, and I’m hit by how beautiful she is with the moonlight catching in her hair and her round, inquisitive blue eyes fixed on mine. My gaze drops to her lips, and for a moment, I let myself imagine closing the distance between us, tasting her, claiming her. God, how I want to. But if she’s going to be safe, not only does she need to stay away from the Keans, but I also need to stay away from her.

I straighten and step back. “You’re right. Probably better that we part ways here.”

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