Page 112 of Burned

Lucian looks at me, his expression wrought with equal parts worry and determination. I feel him making decisions. Ones I will not be included in.

He hasn’t said a word, and I already know; every decision he makes will cut me out of the room.

Out of the conversation. Out of a huge piece of our shared lives. Not a partnership.

I’m torn.

I want to protect him from pain and worry. Yet, I’m unable to separate myself from him, from the table where the decisions about my family’s safety are made.

My throat feels tight. My hand drops to my lap. My voice is strong, but soft. “I’m not going to be sheltered from this.”

“Erin,” he says.

“No.” I try to hide my bandaged hand. “I want to know everything that is going on.

Every threat. Every update. I want to be as informed as the rest of you.”

The room goes impossibly quiet. Too much has happened. Too many people are watching.

I don’t care. I wait until our eyes are locked.

“When you hurt, I hurt. When you worry, I worry. We are in this together.” I grab his hand in my good one. “And we’re stronger together. I want us to do this together.”

Lucian stares at me for a long time. He doesn’t answer.

He looks at Rafe, then at Gregory. “Figure out who placed the line.”

Rafe nods. Gregory runs a hand over the back of his neck. At war with the man he was born to be and the man Lucian raised him to be.

Lucian barks orders. “Blaze, call home and order double the men for exterior guard.”

Blaze cocks a brow. “Already done.”

“Mack will stay with Cass and Ryan.”

“You couldn’t pry the man off them,” Gregory murmurs.

“Bayne. Can your men stay longer? Until we figure this out, I’d prefer to have your men and our men on guard.”

“Aye. What are friends for?”

“Thank you.” Lucian’s voice drops. “If you weren’t a King, you’d make a great Bachman.”

“We’re all brothers, now,” Bayne says as he walks out the door.

Lucian’s eyes travel back to mine.

“And Erin?” I ask.

His gaze burns.

“Erin stays where I can see her.”

For a beat we battle without words. I’m the first to look away.

“Exactly,” I say. “At your side. Your partner. That means in this room.”

His jaw locks, his eyes flashing.