“Yeah. I got lucky and put the fire out with the bed quilt before it got too out of control.” Shame washed over him. “It was something her mom had hand made. Now it’s ruined.”
Lyric frowned. “She must be devastated to lose something so precious.”
He wiped his hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to destroy it.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Lyric and Mason both said in unison.
They’d been together long enough to finish each other’s sentences, too. It was adorable. And eye-roll-inducing sometimes, but it showed how close they were and how much they loved each other.
He wanted that with Lucky. Now. But he had to be patient. Even though he wanted to barrel on ahead full steam.
He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll make it up to her. Somehow. Some way.”
“It’s not as important as the fact that you saved her and her home,” Lyric pointed out.
He held out his hands to his sides. “Yeah. I’m kind of hoping she makes this place her home now.”
Lyric’s smile was bright and filled with mirth. “Oh yeah? So it’s like that now.”
“I told her I want a real relationship with her. One like you and this dumbass have together.”
Mason smacked him on the shoulder with the back of his hand. “Watch it, asshole. I drove all the way from Wyoming just to see how you’re doing.”
“And I appreciate it. I really do. It’s just, I’ve got a lot on my mind. I don’t know how to help her, because I don’t know exactly what happened to her. There’s a real chance that someone violated her. And I’m not talking about her being drugged.”
“Was there any evidence she was sexually assaulted?” Mason pulled Lyric close, like just the thought of that happening to her made him want to protect her.
He felt the same way. But he hadn’t been there to protect Lucky because he’d been a dumbass and kept her at arm’s length.
What if he’d stepped up sooner?
He couldn’t let his mind spiral like that.
“It wasn’t your fault.” Lyric held his gaze, hers earnest.
“I know. I just hate that this happened to her.”
“Well, with you by her side, I’m sure she’ll be feeling better soon.” Lyric was always so positive.
“As much as I think I know her, there’s still so much I don’t knowabouther.”
“Now you have all the time in the world to get to know her.” Lyric headed for his kitchen. “I bet she’ll be hungry when she wakes up. Let’s make something.”
“ByweI hope you meanyou.” Hawk got by in the kitchen, but Lyric was magic with food.
Lyric rolled her eyes. “Definitely.”
“Thank God. I’m starving.”
While Lyric rooted through his freezer and fridge, he and Mason grabbed beers and sat at the bar, catching up while hekept one ear out for any sign that Lucky was awake and needed him.
Chapter Nine
Lucky knew she was dreaming, but couldn’t seem to pull herself out of the loop that kept playing out. She’d open her eyes in the dream, and he’d be coming straight for her. Neil stared her down with those brown sugar eyes, his baby face set stern as he prowled closer, looking threatening despite his youthful appearance. Heart racing, her mind screaming for her to run, her limbs wouldn’t obey. She gasped awake, the sheets tangled around her. Staring at the empty side of the unfamiliar bed, she felt utterly alone.
Except she wasn’t. Not really. She was inhisbed. Hawk.
She inhaled deeply and smelled him on the sheets. She buried her nose in the pillow. She could get used to this. Him.
