Page 39 of Burned

I tell myself it is normal.

Anyone would react this way if someone they loved came back from the dead.

He loved her.

Past tense.

And now, he has me.

And I’m going to duct tape, superglue, and staple myself to that man if I have to.

The things he does to me in bed have already made me comfortable with shame.

I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep him.

“Lucian,” Rafe says carefully.

Lucian does not move.

His arms still circle me.

Then the first clip plays again. Isobel looks directly into the camera, and Lucian’s arms loosen.

It’s a tiny amount, but I feel it.

Deeply.

Mack speaks from the door. “They’re here.”

My stomach drops. My neck snaps as I look up at Lucian. “Isobel and Carlos?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Absolutely not.” He tries to smile, but it’s a tight line.

“What is it?”

His arms fall away from me. I stand from the chair. There’s a burst of cold air coming into the room. Only then do I realize that every man here is smiling at me.

Cass’s voice turns my gaze.

She’s parked herself just outside the doorway. Close enough to come in if the coast is clear or turn around and head back to the kitchen if not.

“Are you all done plotting the takeover of the world yet?” she says. “I’ve got warm scones and hot coffee in the kitchen.”

“Cass,” Lucian says, taking my hand in his and leading me to the doorway. “I’m glad you’re here. We need you for this. And Ryan, too. Can someone go and get little man for me?”

The air in the room is lighter, brighter. It’s like the entire clan has agreed to take a momentary sigh of relief.

“Lucian,” I say. “What is it?”

His thumb brushes over my knuckles. “A surprise.”

I stop dead. “No.”

His brows lift. “No?”

Surprise means money. And I can’t afford to owe him more. Not when she might be on the way.

“Not with everything going on.” I shake my head. “You don’t have time for surprises.”