His quicksilver smile flashed at her outrage. Probably since he tended to find her use of the word ‘hell’ hilarious for reasons he refused to divulge. But this time, the amusement didn’t quite reach his eyes. They were far too solemn for her liking.
“You scared the shit out of me, Luc. You couldn’t knock on the front door?”
“Why, when we share a balcony?”
He had a point. And he always popped in this way, so she shouldn’t have been surprised. Yet for some bizarre reason, she was edgy as fuck this morning.
His eyes remained somber when he touched her hand.
“I have disturbing news, Nadia.”
And there it was.
13
“Dina and Raz. I can’t believe it,” she whispered in shock, shaking her head.
The reality of the situation began to sink in. Of never seeing their faces again. Never laughing over silly, mundane things that they somehow found as funny as she did. Never discussing the great literary works and debating the merits of each story. Friendships were rare in her world, but Dina and Raz had been welcoming. They’d keep her occupied after her bestie went home, when Nadia, believing Luc no longer wanted anything to do with her, would’ve climbed beneath the covers and never come out.
Coldness permeated her limbs, and she rubbed her arms against the chill. He lightly ran his hand down her back, creating warmth where his fingers touched. The sensation wasn’t fiery or painful, but the immediate heat disturbed her all the same. Because she feared growing dependent on the attention, she stepped away and sank onto the chair.
Better for her to understand kindness and attraction were two very different beasts.
“It’s all so senseless,” she said with a shake of her head, not quite sure herself whether she meant her obsession with Luc or the deaths of her new friends or both. Probably both. “I mean, I didn’t know them well, but they were lovely people, and no one deserves to be brutally murdered.”
“I’m sorry.” The grimness in Luc’s voice brought tears to her eyes. He squatted in front of her, his hypnotic eyes grave and, for once, devoid of teasing. “What can I do to make it better?”
“I don’t know if I want to live here anymore. I’ll never feel safe again.”
His gaze darkened, and she got the feeling her remark displeased him.
“You’ll always be safe here, Nadia. I won’t let anything happen to you—ever.” The manner in which he always said her name sent a thrill through her. Today, his words were heavily accented, sounding very Old World, and spoke of his upset.
How well could he have known them?
Emotional vulnerability left her feeling too exposed, and she popped up to pace.
“What more can you tell me?” she asked.
“Their bodies were scorched, while the surrounding area remained intact, indicating they were killed elsewhere and placed under your flat.”
She gasped. “Mine? Why do you think it’s some kind of warning for me? There are two other floors beneath mine.”
“No one lives below you, Nadia.”
His steady-eyed stare disturbed her almost as much as the news. How could he remain so calm?
Nausea churned in her belly, and Nadia dashed for the bathroom. She emptied the measly contents of her stomach and groaned.
Dear God! Scorched? Who would do such a thing?
Sobs shook her.
A cool, damp cloth settled on the back of her neck.
“I’m sorry about Dina and Raz, Nadia. The person responsible will pay.”
Pay? He made it sound like a blood oath.
