Page 86 of Bound

His eyes lock on mine. “We received a message. Just before we arrived.”

I count back. “That was like twenty hours ago. What. Message.”

“And. And…I couldn’t.” The hurt that flashes across his face almost makes me break. “I couldn’t send for Ryan and Cass after that.”

“They aren’t here?”

He shakes his head. “No. I’m sorry.”

“You let me believe my family was on the way this whole time. That we were safe…”

My words trail off as I put the pieces together.

Silly, silly girl.

The extra guards, Mack being weird, Lucian having me checked over by medical like I’d been in battle.

We were never safe.

His jaw flexes. “I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“I know.”

“You needed rest.”

“I know.”

“I am trying to keep your family safe and you alive.”

“I know.”

“I won’t apologize for taking care of you,” he says. “But I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Thanks, but why didn’t you? You knew I was counting down the minutes till they got here.”

“Exactly.” His dark eyes reach mine. “Honestly? I didn’t know how.”

“I get it.”

Lucian received a message from the man he’d just killed. And he’s trying to keep my family safe.

And keep me sane.

And he doesn’t know how to talk about any of it.

My poor, tragic, unable-to-process-emotions, man.

I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Come here,” he says, pulling me hard against him. He buries his face in my hair, breathing me in.

Have you ever had a man made of stone inhale your scent to comfort himself?

The feeling is intoxicating.

“What was the message?” I ask, softer now. “Come. Sit down.” I take his hand and lead him to the bed.

We sit side by side.