Page 130 of The Quiet Witness

“I want you to say what’s in your heart, without thinking. What’s the first that jumps to mind?”

She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. Weighing her as he always did.

What did she want? No one had ever asked her that before. When her foster father touched her, she’d wished for protection, for someone to take her out of that place. If anyone had asked her that question then?

Kate knew what he wanted and yearned to hear from her. But she wouldn’t, couldn’t in good faith voice them. Opening her eyes, she released a heavy sigh. “Should we play for God?”

One final squeeze over her hand before he let go, allowing space to filter between them. Softly she released a breath through her lips, her body betraying the lingering fear still hidden away.

A knowing look graced his features as he turned away. “Maybe you should figure that out.”

Chapter 55

Silver Linings

Maybe you should figure that out.

Kate stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wooden railing of the stairs with last night’s parting sentence ringing over and over in her mind. Her eyes followed Lucien from where he moved between the toiletries he’d spread out over the counter and the black bag that sat waiting on the chair. A small glass vial lingered on the white counter, spreading a hint of sandalwood into the living room.

Kate frowned at it. Was that tiny thing responsible for the smell she’d come to associate with… Lucien?

With a… home. Wait, do I even know what that feels like?

She didn’t want to linger on it anymore, the ifs, the buts, nothing in life was guaranteed, that much she’d come to understand. Best to live it day by day, especially since Lucien still hadn’t given an inkling on whether her life was… safeguarded. And asking? Pff. He would just dance around the question like a juggler in the circus anyway.

“Didn’t know they sold perfume that small.”

Glass shattered across the wooden floor in a tinkling symphony, and the heavy sandalwood smell escaped, making her clutch her nose to hold back a sneeze while the responsible brown liquid seeped right into the wooden floor beneath his shoes.

“Fuck.” Lucien’s head swept up to where she stood beside the stairs, startled. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Kate’s mouth fell open in surprise. Lucien Alexander Evans hadn’t heard her come in. That was a first.

“And no, not perfume, essential oil.” He muttered, grabbing a bright yellow dishcloth from the sink. “Which will be damn near impossible to get out of this wood.” He bent down to scrub away at the oily stains.

“Sorry.” Kate rubbed over her nose. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I should have heard you come in.” He sat back on his haunches, looking at the dark spots with chagrin. “Well, it will be a problem for another day.”

“Are we… leaving?”

He shooed Ghost away from the broken glass, turning to zip his bag closed. “Yep, I figured now is as good a time as any to…” Lucien fell silent, eyes flitting to hers in that weighing way of his. His thoughts were probably straying in the same direction as hers. How are we going to push past this one? But he shook his head resolutely, sending her a small smile. “To get back home, and while we’re at it, continue your education in the martial arts.” He shot her a grin. “No more resting on that lazy ass of yours.”

Oh, he’s trying to get back in the groove, alright.

She could give him that, for now.

“My lazy ass? I think you should take a good look in the mirror, Lucy.” She smiled at the painful wince that the nickname brought to life on his face. “I’m not the one squeaking like a hinge every time I push up from the couch, or exit the car, or—”

“Yes, yes. I get it!” Lucien waved a hand to cut her off. “I’m old, you’re young. Don’t forget though, on the mats, only experience counts.” He winked at her.

But this time it didn’t make her stomach whirl with butterflies. No, they were putting up a show of laughter and grins, they could fool outsiders as they had been doing before. But between them, they both knew the smiles were empty.

But on the experience front. “Fair point.” She set her foot on the first step of the stairs. “I’ll go grab my stuff then, be ready in ten minutes.”

“Take your time… sweetheart.”

At least the nickname hasn’t faded into oblivion.