Page 39 of Karma
“I don’t know, Luke. I wish I did, but I don’t.”
It never occurred to Hailey to ask more questions about the protection detail. Being on the radar of a serial killer, let alone being his target, can’t be easy for Lex to deal with. She’s been stripped of her independence because of it, which must drive her insane.
The last thing Lex should worry about is a wedding, but of course she’s choosing to focus on it.
Can I really get married knowing how much danger she’s in?
Chapter Thirteen
Griffin’s Beach
Lucas
It’s been a few weeks since Phillip showed up at the house, and the lack of movement from him has everyone on edge. Including Lucas.
Lex says she can feel him watching her when they’re out at various places, but no one can find him. Three charters of the toughest men Lucas has ever met can’t find one deranged man.
Lucas doesn’t sleep much these days, and that’s probably what landed him with one of the worst head colds he’s ever had. The pressure from his sinuses makes his head ache, and he closes his eyes as he lies on the couch.
“You should go to the clubhouse like you’re supposed,” Lucas says. “Dad’s waiting for you.”
He has Lex’s routine memorized. The few times of day where he knows he doesn’t have to worry about her. After school drop off, where Venom and whoever else sets up post outside the house follow before going home, she heads to the clubhouse. Every day.
Colt was gone last night, something for the club, and Lucas didn’t sleep a wink. Not having Colt around at night makes him worry even more. If Phillip kills the three men outside, he’s the only line of defense to protect Lex in the house if Colt’s gone.
“How are you feeling?”
Like someone’s trying to pull my brain out of my nose.“I’m okay. I just need to sleep it off.”
“You’re a terrible liar, for the record. You’re not feeling well, and I can’t leave you,” Lex says and sits on the couch. Pressing the back of her hand to his forehead, she tsks. “You’ve still got a fever.”
“No answer?” he asks, nodding towards the phone on the coffee table.
“No, Colt must have his phone off. I’m sure it’s fine. It’s daytime.”
Even as she says it, she looks around with the expression she gets when she knows she’s being watched. Right now, though, he hopes it’s paranoia.
“Mom, Phillip showed up during the day last time. Seriously, go. I’m fine.”
The inaction makes her anxious, and she probably hates looking over her shoulder as much as Lucas hates the threat against his family.
“Maybe Venom hasn’t fallen asleep yet,” she says and tries to call him. “Or not. I feel so bad that he stays here all night.”
He sniffles and tries to clear at least one of his nasal passages, groaning when it only adds to the pressure in his head. “I didn’tthink he slept. I thought you just unplugged him from time to time to wind down.”
Giggling, she runs her hands through his hair. “You sound miserable, baby.”
“I don’t feel great. Who gets a cold when it’s seventy-degrees outside?”
“I don’t think it has so much to do with the weather outside as the virus going around your school,” she says. “And your immune system being weakened because you don’t sleep at night.”
I’m not the least bit surprised. And she didn’t bring up before now because it wouldn’t do any good.
“You could call Undertaker,” Lucas says, changing the subject from the conversation she dipped her toes into. He’s not ready to tell her about his fear just yet.
“Yeah? You seem to have become buddies with him.”
“He understands things no one else really does. We’ve been talking, and I think it’s been helpful to have someone besides Hailey who has an idea of what I feel.”
