“I need you,” he says immediately, ignoring every question. His voice trembles, and he drags both hands through his hair, pacing like the floor is burning under his feet. “I can’t stay here, Kira. I can’t stay in this city. I have to go. Today. Right now. If I don’t leave?—”
He stops talking, chest rising too fast.
“Lucas,” I whisper, stepping in front of him to stop the pacing, “tell me what happened. How did you get away from those men?”
He shakes his head violently. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does?—”
“No,” he snaps, grabbing my shoulders. His grip is tighter than he realizes. “Kira, listen to me. I won’t be safe if I stay. They’re going to kill me, or use me, or trade me, or—I don’t know.” His voice cracks. “I can’t stay here. Not after last night.”
He looks over my shoulder at the door, eyes wide and full of dread. “And I can’t leave without you.”
My stomach drops. “Lucas, no. I’m not going with you.”
“You are,” he insists, a desperate tremor in his voice. “You have to. We’re all we have.”
“No.” I shake my head, stepping back so his hands fall from me. “I’m not leaving with you. I told you yesterday. I will help you but I’m staying.”
He stares at me like I slapped him. “Because of him.”
I don’t respond. My silence is enough.
Lucas lets out a sharp breath, then covers his face with both hands, pushing his palms hard against his eyes like he’s trying to erase something behind them. When he looks at me again, his expression changes—less panic, more calculation.
“Fine,” he says quietly. “If you won’t come with me… then I need money.”
The words hit me like a shove. “What?”
“I have to leave. I need cash. Enough to get out, stay hidden, move around. I don’t have time to figure anything out myself. Just—help me.” He steps closer and grips my arms again. “Please.”
“Lucas,” I push, “what is it for?”
“Don’t do that,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Don’t parent me. Just help me.”
“I’m not giving you money unless you tell me why?—”
“Because I need it,” he snaps, voice rising. “Isn’t that enough for you? I need it, and you’re the only person in the world who’d give it to me.”
My throat tightens painfully, because it’s true.
He softens slightly, reaching out to hold my wrist. “Kira… please. I’m begging you. I can’t get out without your help.”
His fingers tremble where they grip my arm. Empathy is a weakness, especially when it comes to him, but it’s stronger than me, I cannot help it.
I swallow hard. “I don’t have that much cash, so I’ll have to go and withdraw money. But you have to promise me, Lucas, I never want to be in a situation like this again. I can’t baby you forever.”
“I… I promise.”
“Where will I give it to you?” I whisper.
He hesitates for a moment, then says, “There’s a park near your place. Dawn. No cars, no people. Meet me there.”
My heart pounds. “Lucas, that’s?—”
“It’s the only way.” He squeezes my wrist. “Please. Just one last time. Help me leave.”
I exhale slowly. “Okay.”
