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“Carver, I…” she began.
Before she could finish, he stood and pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her once more.
“Let’s just enjoy tonight,” he whispered in her ear. “No more talking about what if’s and should’s.”
Lucy nodded, resting her head against his chest. They stood there for a long moment, holding each other, savoring the simple pleasure of being together.
In that moment, all the doubts and fears faded away. Eventually, they moved back to the bedroom, the lasagna forgotten as they focused on each other again.
Carver’s touch was tender, his kisses slow and deliberate, as if he was memorizing every inch of her. Lucy responded with equal passion, her hands exploring the hard planes of his body, reveling in the feeling of his skin against hers.
Much later, they lay together, tangled in the sheets. Lucy couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. It was a dangerous, uncertain path, but she felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make it work.
****
That morning, Lucy went to work as if everything was normal. Carver had insisted on driving her, and although she had told him she was fine, she could see the worry etched on his face.
He gave her an update on Emmet, explaining that while he couldn’t share all the details of his occupation, he wanted her to know what was necessary.
Emmet was still at large, and Carver feared that Emmet might target those he cared about. His brothers were beyond Emmet’s reach, so Carver reasoned Emmet might come after Lucy instead. She brushed off his concerns with a light-hearted laugh.
“In the grand scheme of things, I’m not important,” she had said, trying to ease the tension. But Carver didn’t leave until he had kissed her, a lingering, tender kiss that made her heart race.
As she walked into the diner, she couldn’t miss Burt’s irritated glare or Cindy’s concerned look. She sighed, preparing herself for the inevitable questions. During their break, Cindy pulled her aside.
“You’re still seeing him?” Cindy asked, her voice a mix of worry and disbelief.
“I am,” Lucy admitted, meeting her friend’s gaze steadily. “Carver’s a good man underneath it all.”
“I hope you don’t regret it,” Cindy said, her tone laced with concern.
“I won’t,” Lucy promised, though the words felt heavy on her tongue. She hoped with all her heart that she was making the right choice.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Lucy found it hard to focus, her mind drifting back to Carver and the danger that seemed to loom over them. Burt’s constant grumbling didn’t help, but she managed to keep her composure, determined not to let her personal life affect her work.
During a lull in the afternoon, Lucy stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. The city was alive with its usual hustle and bustle, but she felt a strange sense of detachment, as if she was watching everything from a distance.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise—a car door slamming shut. She turned to see a figure disappearing around the corner, her heart skipping a beat. Was she being paranoid, or was Carver right to be worried?
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She had to stay focused, keep her guard up. Carver’s words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the potential danger. But she refused to live in fear. She would face whatever came her way, just as she always had.
Returning to the diner, she was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of her workplace. It was comforting, in a way, to be surrounded by something so ordinary amidst the chaos her life had become. She threw herself into her work, determined to keep her mind occupied.
As her shift neared its end, Lucy felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety. She wondered what awaited her at home. Carver had promised to be there when she finished work, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. She had to trust him, trust that he would keep her safe.
Just as Lucy was about to leave, Burt yelled at her, his voice grating. “Hey, Lucy! Take the garbage out before you go.”
Irritated but not wanting to make things worse with her boss, Lucy grabbed the trash bags and headed to the alleyway behind the diner.
The dimly lit alley was quiet, the sound of the bustling city muted by the surrounding buildings. She tossed the trash into the dumpster, wiping her hands on her apron.
A car rolled into the alley, its headlights cutting through the dusk. Lucy glanced at it, thinking nothing of it until she felt a rough hand clamp over her mouth. Panic surged through her as she struggled, twisting around to see who had grabbed her. Her heart dropped. It was Emmet.
“Shhh, sweetheart,” he hissed, his grip tightening. “Don’t make a sound.”
Lucy’s mind raced, trying to remember what Carver had told her. Emmet was dangerous, unpredictable. She had to think quickly. Emmet’s eyes were wild, a mixture of fear and anger. He wasn’t just desperate; he was on the edge.
“You’re gonna help me send a message to your boyfriend,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. “Understand?”
