Page 5 of Crown of Smoke

“Ah… I think so.”

I reach out and cup her cheek to get a good look in her eyes. They’re fearful but not showing signs of shock. They’re also the most amazing shade of blue I’ve ever seen.

"No one's going to hurt you again." The words are more of a growl than a statement. It's a dangerous promise, one I have no right to make and yet strangely have every intention of keeping.

Lucy's pulse jumps beneath my fingers. "Is that another warning about monsters, Mr. Tine?" Her eyes dart to my mouth, then back up to my eyes.

The way she says my false name, takes in my features, sends a shiver down my spine. She's too close, making it impossible to think straight. Every instinct screams to pull her against me, to claim her mouth with mine. To mark her as mine so no one else dares lay a hand on her. What is wrong with me? Something about this stubborn, fearless woman is fucking my mind up.

"Maybe I'm the monster you should be worried about." I mean it as a warning, but my voice comes out rough with desire.

Her fingers curl into my shirt, whether to push me away or pull me closer, I'm not sure. "You don't scare me."

But she should be scared. Of me, of what I'm capable of, of the darkness that runs in my blood. Instead, she's looking at me like I'm a curiosity, someone interesting she wants to dissect.

The thought should send me running. Instead, I find myself drowning in those blue eyes, fighting the magnetic pull drawing me closer.

I give my head a shake. “Let’s get the fuck out of here before more of them show up.”

She stares at the groaning men, then at me. “Who are you really?"

"Someone who told you not to go hunting monsters."

I take her good arm and lead her out of the alley. “What the fuck were you thinking, coming out here alone with them?"

"I had it under control." She knows she was a dead woman. Why is she trying to be brave? Perhaps dismissing reality is her M.O.

"Under control?" I tug her up the alley, my gaze scanning for more Kean Crew assholes. She wobbles, leans into me. My insides go hot. Not arousal. It’s anger at these fuckers. It’s a fierce protection of her. "They were going to kill you after they fucked you."

Her chin lifts, defiant despite the tremble in her body. "Why do you care?”

Why do I care? I shouldn't. Getting involved with her puts everything at risk. But watching those men grab her, seeing O’Brian's intent with her… well, I couldn’t have that.

"Maybe I just needed to hit something." I force a shrug, trying to appear casual even as concern gnaws at my insides. "Been a slow week."

“I don’t believe you. Someone who claims not to care wouldn't risk getting involved in a four-against-one fight."

"Look, sweetheart." I inject as much condescension into my voice as I can muster. "Don't mistake boredom for concern. I saw an opportunity for some fun, that's all. And if it saves your pretty little ass… it’s a bonus."

“If you think I’m going to repay you by letting you have a piece of my ass, you’re sorely mistaken.”

To maintain my asshole bravado, I take a look at her ass. “Too bad.” I continue to lead her up the alley. “We’ve got to hurry unless you’d like to try your hand at controlling more Kean Crew goons.”

“Fine.”

“You should go home and get that wound bandaged. I’d avoid going to the hospital if possible.”

“What?” She looks down at her arm, dripping with her blood. Her face drains of color, her skin turning ashen. She looks up at me for a moment and then her knees buckle.

"Hey—” I catch her before she hits the ground. Her body goes limp in my arms, head lolling against my chest. Shit. She’s not afraid of Kean dickheads but she faints at the sight of blood?

Now what? I could take her to a hospital, but questions would be asked. Questions I don’t want to answer. And if she’s smart, she wouldn’t answer them, either.

"Damn it." Cradling her against my chest, I hoof it up the street. My apartment sits three blocks away, but I can’t take her there. I’ve already done enough damage to my mission. But hell, it’s the closest safe place I can think of.

As I move up the street, each step toward my place feels like a betrayal of my training, of everything my brothers have been planning.

Never bring outsiders to your home.

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