Chapter 13
Lucien
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Istand in the emptylot, not feeling any better than I did before I came here like I‘d hoped. It’s flanked by warehouses in a seedy part of town, a couple of cities over from where we live, and nothing ever grows here, not even weeds. Just a large square of perpetual nothingness.
Financially, this is without a doubt my stupidest investment, but I can’t bring myself to sell it. I don’t want a single thing to be built here, tainted by the past and becoming a new source of misery for me, as much as I logically know that isn’t how things work. But this is the one thing that truly makes me feel, and all it offers me is rage.
Before her, at least.
I’d come here when I needed to feel something, anything beyond the cold detachment I constantly live with. But now, I have her; the infuriating fae that makes my blood heat, keeps me distracted. She grates at my nerves as much as makes me smile, and I can’t remember how long it’s been since I felt a semblance of that humanity. Now that I have her, I don’t need this place.
I can finally let it go and move on, but it means putting all of my chips on her.
If we’re doing this, taking this gamble, then it’s all or nothing. I don’t do half assed. But there are so many unknowns, such risks, that it’s nerve wracking. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I felt nervous about a single thing, felt that spike of adrenaline as a hint of fear reared its ugly head.
It’s intoxicating in a dangerous way.
Car doors slam and I hear them before I see them, looking onto the space one last time before letting go of it forever. When I leave here, I’ll list it for sale and take the first offer presented to me. I’ll wash my hands of it and the memories that have refused to fade no matter how many years have passed.
“You’re not fae-napped!” Cambria shouts in relief, slamming into my side as she hugs me and I look down at her quizzically before my eyes rake over her scantily clad form.
“If you thought I was in danger, why’d you decide to come rescue me in that?” The corner of my mouth twitches in amusement.
When she peels herself away from me, I slip my suit jacket off and wrap it around her shoulders, narrowing my eyes at the others for their poor judgment. What if Iwasin some sort of danger? Were they planning on offering her up like a sex doll to the kidnappers in exchange? How many people saw her like this as they traipsed around the city looking for me?
“Working hours, boss,” she salutes sarcastically. “A good employee stays in uniform while on the job.”
I button up the jacket more for my benefit than hers, because she looks far too tempting like this. It does nothing for the long expanse of leg she’s showing, and I have no doubt if she leaned forward I’d be able to see her underwear, but seeing her wearing my clothes satisfies a primal part of me I’m unused to.
“Let’s keep things like this to inside the house only, alright? Not all humans are civil as you well know and there’s no point courting danger.”
“Speaking of,” Dorian warns, “I’d avoid Belinda for as long as possible.” I give him a look, but he just gestures to Cambria like that should explain everything.
It pretty much does, I’d just like the details.
Her eyes sparkle with mirth. “I might have gotten a little excited and carried away with this one,” she admits. “But in my defense, I only wanted to please you, Master Lucien.”
My nostrils flare, enjoying it more than I should, but I can already imagine what hell is going to be waiting for me when I get back to work. “You get off on this sort of thing, don’t you?” I growl. “Making people suffer for your amusement?”
She winks, not denying it. “Dance puppets, dance.” She stretches her arms above her head. “So, what are we doing here?”
