Page 47

M y office door opened, and Connor poked his head in. “You gonna stay all night, lass?”

I set down my pen. “I’m waiting for Mr. Cross’s Packmaster. He should be here soon.”

“Do you need help? I can find meself something to do until then.”

“No. Mr. Cross won’t be any trouble, especially with his alpha here. I’ve got it under control.”

“Always do.” He winked. “Have a good evening.”

“You too.”

After finishing up my report on Lucian, I filed it away and got up to stretch my sore arms. My white blouse was wrinkled after getting soaked in the rainstorm.

I passed a mirror on the wall and clucked my tongue when I saw my hair. “You look a mess.”

My phone vibrated. “Yes?”

“Special delivery,” Peter announced. “That large bloke with the face tattoo is on his way down.”

“I hope you didn’t just say that in front of him.”

“Kisses.” Peter hung up.

I grabbed my purse off the coatrack and switched off the light. By the time I entered the lobby, the elevator was moving into view.

Tak ducked out and stepped off before the elevator leveled with the floor. He slanted his gaze over his shoulder and growled at Peter, who was nonchalantly scratching his balls.

I glanced at my watch. “You’re prompt. I’m the one running late. Is it still raining?”

He wiped the rain off his arms. “Downpour.”

“Swell. I seem to have lost my umbrella.”

He wandered over to the front desk. “Texas weather is as unpredictable as my horse’s temper.”

“That’s no lie. At least we have our own built-in storm shelter down here. Would you like coffee while you wait? I need to initiate the release process with Mr. Cross. My guard can bring you something.”

Tak hiked up his brown cargo pants and eased into one of the small chairs. “It’s too hot for coffee. Do you have any sweet tea?”

“You bet. Make yourself comfortable. I shouldn’t be but a few minutes.”

After I knocked, the guard opened the hall door.

“Can you bring our guest a cup of iced tea while I release the prisoner?”

“Sure thing.” He poked his head inside the lobby and asked the alpha if he wanted our leftover donuts.

I made my way to the end of the hall, past the kitchen and bathrooms, until I arrived at the door to the main cellblock. After unlocking it, I entered the quiet row of cells that ran from left to right. Lucian was the only prisoner today.

When I arrived at his cell, I found him standing expectantly.

I wrapped my fingers around the bars. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Tak’s waiting outside, so we only have a few minutes.”

I wasn’t sure what hurt worse: the idea of Lucian going after Henry and getting arrested again, or him giving up on me.

He approached the bars. “You won’t have to worry about me doing anything illegal. I gave you my word.”

“I couldn’t think of a way out of this. I’m bound to my promise. Are you mad at me?”

He put his hands over mine and gazed into my soul.

“You didn’t have a choice. He knew threatening you wouldn’t work.

But threatening a loved one—there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for them.

My brother once told me about the sacrifices he and his female made for each other. I didn’t understand why, but now I do.”

My gaze fixed on his mouth. “I never gave you an answer when you asked me that night if you could court me. You deserve to know. Yes, Lucian Cross. If Henry hadn’t twisted my arm, you’d be the one.

But you’ve given me your word you won’t hunt him down.

This is your opportunity to start fresh.

Don’t squander that gift. It would kill me to see you behind bars again. I care about you too much.”

He pressed his forehead against the bars, and a purr rumbled deep in his chest.

I turned the key in the lock and opened the door. “This is the last time we can ever be seen together—the last time we’ll ever be alone. You can’t come to my home or finish my security setup. I won’t give him another reason to come after you.”

Lucian rushed forward, locked his arms around my middle, and walked me into the wall. As soon as my shoulders met with cinder block, his mouth was on mine.

“Whatever you desire, female,” he whispered between kisses.

My thighs trembled. I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

Lucian growled and pressed his body to mine, marking me with his scent.

I gripped a fistful of his hair and nibbled his lower lip.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

That singular word repeated in my head as the only thing that mattered. Maybe the fates wanted to separate us in this life, but he would always be mine in my heart.

When Lucian opened his eyes, the golden irises were replaced with onyx for only a split second. I would miss those pretty black lashes, the tiny freckle below his right eye, the way he always drew in a soft breath when I was feeling emotional, and especially how safe I felt in his embrace.

“Someday you’ll make a woman very happy. You were the best lover I ever had.”

“You were my best everything.”

I pressed my cheek to his. “It would’ve never worked out between us.”

“You don’t believe that.”

“I would’ve always wondered if your kindred spirit might break it off with her mate and come find you. Then what?”

Lucian leaned back and shook his head. “She has young.”

“So? My mother left me.”

He squeezed my hips. “I don’t want to let you go—not if it means never having you.”

I kissed his soft lips and held the connection, my soul shattering beneath my tough facade. “We were fire together. Maybe a little heat is better than nothing at all.”

Lucian cupped my face in his hands. “Do you trust me?”

“I ate from your hand, didn’t I?”

“Good.” He stepped back and inclined his head.

“What does that mean?”

Lucian led me to the door before facing me. “It means you don’t have a damn thing to worry about.”

Something changed about how he looked at me in that moment. The way he held me. The way he kissed me.

And the way he let me go for the last time.