The current pulsed as pieces of the puzzle began to shift into place. Was this why he wanted me to survive? Why my life mattered to him? Maybe he thought he’d failed to save his sister, this other Sophia.
Sophia Scott.
One day, I wanted to learn all about Sophia Scott.
“Do you have it memorized?” He gestured to the paper in my hand.
My face contorted into a grimace. I’d forgotten some lines in the midst of this new revelation.
He chuckled. “I’ll take that as ano.”
“Maybe just a little more time.”
“It’s the middle of the night. You’re not going home this late.”
I figured he’d say that. The route to headquarters was short, but it was by no means safe.
“Take as much time as you need. I’m going to try to sleep. Don’t leave this house unless the sun is up, please.” Instead of using one of the beds, he sprawled on the sofa, throwing an arm over his eyes. I returned to the paper, and after a while, my eyes drooped again.
Darkness took me, and even in sleep, I swam in a sea of ever-expanding questions, most of them centering aroundwhy.
Was his sister’s death really why he’d betrayed them? Or was there more to it?
Why was it so hard for me to believe? Wasn’t I angered by my own losses? Didn’t I resent the Defiance for taking everyoneI loved away from me? Unlike me, Lucas had simply decided to do something about it.
Warmth touched my face. “Sophia, I need to leave soon.”
Groaning, I turned into the warmth. Fingers?
I jolted awake.
He’d been stroking my cheek, probably hesitant to touch me anywhere else. My eyes landed on him as he leaned over me, freshly washed and shaven, hair damp. The watery morning light underscored the shadows under his eyes.
He jerked his hand away at once, but his fingers left invisible, burning lines on my face. “Time for you to go back to your people.”
Touching my cheek, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to wipe his touch away or press the heat deep into my skin. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, yawning. The paper I’d memorized fluttered to the floor.
He snatched it up. “Hope you got it all.”
I nodded, and he ripped it into tiny pieces.
Taking a moment to stretch, I ran my fingers through my curls. Morning usually wasn’t a great look for me. Jayden called it my just-fucked hair.
“You can’t hide the mess from me now,” Lucas said without looking at me. “I’ve already seen it.”
I choked on my disbelief. “Insulting a girl’s hair is a good way for a man to get maimed.”
He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Who said it was an insult?”
My whole body flushed. I spun on my heel, aflame under his scrutiny as I replaced my baggy clothes. Before I could flee, however, he approached me, expression wiped clean. He raised my hood, tucking in stray curls with gentle hands and unfocused eyes. “Hide these, please. Too tempting to grab.”
Who was tempted? Washetempted?
I bit my lip. “Do me a favor, yeah?”
He lifted an eyebrow.
“Antibiotic ointment and moisturizer, twice per day.”
