Hell (Black Heart Romance)

“It was intense, you were overwhelmed, but you weren’t hurt.”

“No, not that time… but it’s not just about physical injury; it’s not just the nail thing. I trusted him, and he broke that trust—both times.”

“So that’s what made it so different for both of you?”

I nod slowly. “Is he pissed?”

“No. I wouldn’t use that word—though if he is, I think he’s more pissed at himself than anybody else. Not at you. He freaked out when I told him you wanted to go to the doctor. He went all pale.”

It’s tempting to imagine that. “Yeah, probably because he was afraid I’d sue or something.”

“No. It wasn’t like that. I’ve never seen him like this before.”

I chew my lip as the scenery around us changes. There’s a strip mall up ahead with a handful of chain restaurants in the parking lot. “Can we stop up there for a burger?”

He nods and pulls the car into the lot. It’s no surprise that he orders two double burgers and an extra-large fry. I settle on a single burger and a soda.

It’s strangely normal, sitting here like this. Eating fast food in a parking lot like we’re just two people hanging out. Somehow, that gives me the courage to talk to him like I’d talk to a normal person. “What do you mean, you’ve never seen Lucian like this before? What’s so different about him now?”

He snorts before polishing off his first burger. “He’s different. I don’t know. Like he really cares about you.”

I can’t believe how much I want to believe that. “He has an odd way of showing it, doesn’t he?”

“He does, though. Just remember there might be things you don’t know about.”

Oh, that makes me feel a lot better. “Like what?”

“Just things.” I’m pretty sure he finishes his second burger in all of three bites. “He cares a lot more about you than I’ve ever seen him care about anybody, and I’ve been working for him a long time. And no, he didn’t tell me to say that, so don’t bother asking.”

That makes me laugh again because I was going to say something like that. “Fine. I’ll trust you.” Even if I don’t know what to think about it. One more layer to the mystery that is Lucian.

By the time we reach my building, it’s almost like we’re friends. Every day brings a new surprise, I guess. “Thanks for the ride and for everything else.” I even feel a little regretful, like I don’t want to go back upstairs by myself. Since when is Alexei good company?

Something else hits me around the same time. I glance up at the window, wondering. “Would you mind coming up with me and looking around, just in case?”

“In case of what?”

“You know.” Is he going to make me say it? “In case anybody is waiting for me.”

“Like Eric, you mean?” He shakes his head. “Listen. I’m only gonna say it once. You don’t have to worry about him ever again.”

I take a step back, looking him up and down. “What’s that mean?”

“It means what it means. You’re safe now.” He whistles softly to himself as he gets back in the car. “Go up. He’ll be pissed if I don’t tell him I watched you go in.” He’s probably right. I go in and hope he’s right about me being safe, too.

When I open the door, I find a piece of paper on the floor, like somebody slid it underneath. That’s not the only thing that catches my attention, either. The keypad mounted to the wall is new.

So is the furniture in the living room. Entirely new, down to the TV and the console it’s sitting on. It’s enough of a surprise to freeze me in place—though once the surprise wears off, I bolt for the bedroom. Sure enough, I have a new bed, a new dresser, and a nightstand. Everything’s new, and it doesn’t look cheap.

I finally think to take a look at the paper. It’s from the security company that installed the alarm system I didn’t order, explaining how to use it, how to set my code, all of it.

It wasn’t enough to make sure I got to the doctor. He had to buy me an apartment full of new furniture and a security system, too. Is this what Alexei means when he says Lucian cares about me?

20

Lucian

“How is she?” I can’t believe how it seems everything in my life hinges upon Alexei’s answer. The way I’ve sat here, my guts churning, berating myself for hurting her. For being the reason she had to see the doctor. That’s the last thing I want for her.

“Fine. Probably wondering where all that furniture came from.”

I wave a hand at this. “She needed it. And the security system. God knows. But she’s all right?”

“She’s all right.” I pretend not to notice the knowing little smirk he’s wearing as he leaves my office. It eats me up inside, knowing how obvious it must be to everyone around me that Rowan is more than a financial transaction.