Luc isn't given a chance to respond when Maverick walks over and gently grips my chin. "You didn't have this bruise yesterday," he says gruffly. His fingers brush my cheek in concern. I stay silent as his blue eyes pierce mine.
"Thanks for leaving me to get everything," Alec grumbles, seeming to be unaware of my presence when he walks in and puts the grocery bags on the bench.
"Hi, Alec," I say softly and he spins around, his jaw dropping.
"Laney? You're the stray Luc picked up?" Alec says before he realises what he’s just said and his face turns a bright shade of red. “I…um, I…” Alec stammers but nothing else comes.
I turn to Luc who's still standing between me and Mason. "Is that right, Luci?" I raise one eyebrow to tell him I'm not impressed.
Luc winces. "I didn't put it like that."
"We didn't get any details about you but we definitely got that," Dominic injects.
"Luci?" Mason bounces on the balls of his feet, clearly excited for some reason. The other guys are still watching me in shock and confusion.
"His name's Lucifer. Luci's a nickname." I shrug.
"One that you are not allowed to use," Luc tells Mason who pouts.
"You told them I was a stray. Like a puppy that followed you home," I say point-blank. "They can call you Luci."
Luc nods instantly, clearly wanting to get out of the dog house. I squeeze his hand to show him I'm not really upset. I look at everyone else who's gazes have dropped to mine and Luc's entwined hands.
“You didn’t answer me,” Maverick reminds me. “Why wouldn’t we call you by your name?”
Uh, right. “Ummm…” I look at Luc who shrugs in a way that says tell them or don’t.
I take a deep breath but Alec beats me to it. “Because your name isn’t Laney Summers. It’s Aurora Winters.”
“Youarethe chick Luc yesterday,” Mason catches on. He says it like he suspected that.
“Um, yeah. Sorry. When we, uh, moved here, my father changed my name.” I glance across at Luc, not knowing what he told them.
“We know,” Alec tells me softly. “Luc told us.”
“I hope that was okay,” Luc says quietly.
“It’s fine,” I squeeze his hand, “I knew you’d have to tell them.” I’m not surewhyI’m holding his hand but I don’t want to let go. Luc smiles sadly.
“Soooo…what do we call you?” Mason asks.
“Rory,” I say instantly and Mase grins, seeming to like that better thanLaney.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," I tell them quietly. My gaze casts away, unable to make eye contact with them.
Dominic strides over. "We're sorry." His voice rumbles. I have to look up to meet his dark eyes.
"We shouldn't have pushed you," Maverick adds.
"No," I sigh, "I was scared. You guys were nice to me and I could have handled it better."
"It's fine," Alec tells me. The others voice their agreement.
Mason scoops me up in a hug before I can stop him. Pain slices through me.
Agony has me struggling in Mason’s arms, further yanking on my ribs. I crumble in his hold as pain overwhelms me until black is flickering in the corners of my gaze.
"Put her down!" Luc rushes out.
