Page 17 of Blood that Burns
I groan. “Do we have to? Can’t we just enjoy this night?”
Whatever truth he’s trying to uncover, it’s sure to bring us to dark places. Something I’m trying to avoid, considering I’m being hunted by vampires.
“Fine,” I concede. “You’re up. Make it a good one.”
He sucks his teeth, looking nervous, which is so unlike Law. “The way you’re looking at me... it’s scaring me.”
The air’s sucked from my lungs at that declaration.
“It... scares you?”
He blinks. “I’ve seen that look before, sunshine. It’ll only lead to hurt.”
I deflate at his words. He can say whatever he wants, but that’s not the truth. The tells are all there. When Law’s lying, he runs his hands down the sides of his legs and averts his eyes. Just like he’s doing now. I want to call him out, but it’s no use. When he gets like this, trying to get the truth out of him is an uphill battle.
“What about my look has you concerned, Law?” I decide to push because we’re running out of time, and I won’t allow this to go unsaid.
“You’re going to get yourself hurt if you deviate from the plan.”
I roll my eyes. We’ve had this discussion so many times. It’s tired. And it’s also not at all what he meant. I know Law’s diversion tactics, and this is one hell of a diversion from wherever he was planning to go with that first truth.
“I won’t deviate. Not when my family’s life depends on me succeeding.”
He nods. “Okay.”
“That’s it? That’s your big truth?” I raise my eyebrows. “I call bullshit.”
“Watch your mouth,” he scolds, and I want to stomp my feet. I’m so sick of him treating me like a child.
Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and go with my own bullshit. “Okay, my truth. I’m hungry.”
His mouth forms a thin line. “That’s not a truth.”
“No, it is. I’m starving. I want a cheeseburger and fries.” My hand flies up. “And a milkshake. You know... last meal and all.”
“That’s not funny, Magdalena.”
I purse my lips. “What? I was just kidding. And since when do you call me Magdalena?” I pull a face because good grief if that isn’t the worst name.
“When you piss me off. That’s when.”
I laugh, but it’s without humor. “Come on, Law. You and I both know your truth was bullshit. You get what you give.”
“Frustrating girl.”
I shrug. “Wanna start over?”
He huffs, averting his eyes, jaw grinding. “I’m worried I’ll lose you.”
Cue the butterflies. My stomach tickles and my head feels light at his admission.
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” I grab his hand, squeezing. “You won’t lose me, Law. Never.”
His grey eyes meet mine, and the intensity I see only furthers my light-headedness. “You’re special to me, Maggie. You’ve become my best friend. I don’t want to lose your friendship. Not now.”
Not now... but someday. It’s the unspoken part of that sentence, because one day, I will leave him. I’m mortal. He’s not.
He wasn’t declaring his love for me. Never that, because to Lawrence Bellamy, I’ll only ever be his friend. A friend he needs to protect.