Page 26 of Fire in My Blood
I get out of the trunk just as Erica comes into view. She’s so pale she almost looks sick, but considering what she’s just been through, I’m not surprised.
I reach out and grip her upper arms to hold her in case her legs give out. “Are you okay? You look really pale.” I search her face for any other signs she’s going into shock.
She nods slowly, but I’m not sure I believe her. This woman is stronger than the typical human female, and probably used to putting on a brave face. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t on the verge of a breakdown.
Giving her what I hope is a comforting smile, I smooth my hands up her arms. “Perhaps you should let me drive while you lie down in the back seat to rest for a while.”
She takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly. The corners of her lips lift in a smile, and she tilts her head a little to the side. “Thank you, Lucas, but I’m fine. Just a little shaky. For a moment there, I was sure we were fucked. I don’t understand why the guard let us go, but I’m sure as hell happy he did.”
My belly knots, and I avert my gaze. “I have a gift of persuasion. I’ll tell you more about it when we reach a safe place to stay.” I still don’t feel good about using my power to make her tell me about her assault, and I should really come clean with her. But this isn’t the time for that.
***
Erica
I blink at him in confusion, but he doesn’t meet my gaze. Lucas has been open with me about who he is, but now I have the distinct feeling there’s something he doesn’t want to tell me.
He’s right, though. We need somewhere to hide before someone discovers he’s missing.
“Please, let me drive. I know of a place we can go that nobody will think to check.” His eyes come back to mine with a smile. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and have everything you need.”
My brows crease at his words. What does that mean? Does he think I’m sick or something?
I decide to let it go for now. He probably thinks this has been too much for me to handle. And to be honest it’s been scary, but I’m stronger than he thinks. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here today.
I hand him the keys before moving to the passenger side and getting in.
Lucas folds his big body into the driver’s seat of my small car, and I struggle to keep from laughing out loud when he adjusts the seat to try to get comfortable. I already know he’s a large man, but somehow it becomes even more pronounced inside my small vehicle.
He takes us east, and I get the feeling he knows where we are and where we’re going, because he doesn’t ask me any questions.
The silence stretches between us, and I feel a need to say something. “You don’t have to take me with you, you know? I’m sure you want to get as far away from here as possible after what my brother did to you, and I don’t need to tag along and slow you down.”
“No, you’re coming with me.” His voice is stern, and my spine stiffens at the command.
“Fuck.” He takes a deep breath before speaking in a softer tone. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean to scare you. What I meant to say is that I don’t want to leave you to fend for yourself. They’ll be looking for you now, and if they find you, I can’t bear to think what they’ll do to you. I can take care of you and hide you until we see what they do after they find out I’m gone. I promise to keep you safe no matter what happens.”
He throws me a worried glance before his gaze moves back to the road. “Please, let me take care of you, Erica.”
I stare at his profile for a few moments before averting my gaze. How can I possibly say no to him? And why would I want towhen I’ve got nowhere else to go, and Lucas is promising to take care of me?
If there’s anyone who can keep me safe, it’s Lucas. My brother is just a man, and I doubt he alone can put up a fight against the guy who raped me. But Lucas might, and he’s immortal so even if he’s hurt, he won’t die.
I don’t want to see him hurt again, though. Walking into that room and thinking he was dead probably knocked a few years off my life.
I chew on the inside of my cheek. The promise of protection is only one of the reasons I want to stay with Lucas. The kiss we shared is still fresh in my mind, and I can’t help but hope for another one.
Turning my head toward him, I study his profile again. Even with this scruffy-looking appearance after many days in the basement without a chance to clean up, he’s by far the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met.
My gaze drops down his body. His thick shoulders and wide chest are testing the strength of the too small T-shirt he’s wearing, and I have the sudden urge to rip it off him and run my tongue down his chest and abs.
I let out a small gasp when I remember how my body responded to him biting my wrist. Nothing has ever turned me on like that before. It was instantaneous and powerful. And never once did I think about what happened four years ago.
“Is there something wrong?” Lucas gives me another concerned look.
I quickly look away and stare out of the passenger-side window. “No, I’m fine.” There’s a tremble in my voice I can’t hide. “I’ll come with you.”
“Please, don’t be scared of me, Erica. I promise I won’t touch you.”