Page 58 of Wicked Games
“I’ll go with you to London on one condition,” I said suddenly.
“Name it,” Carmen replied.
“You keep Ryder safe while we’re gone.”
“Lucien, no,” Ryder said.
“If everything you say is true, there’s not a single person on this planet who means more to me than him, Carmen. I want your guarantee Ryder will be safe.”
“You have my word, Lucky,” Carmen said, reaching across the table to shake my hand. “He’ll stay here, and my people will keep him safe. I already have a team in place who are keeping an eye on your parents.”
“You’ve left no stone unturned. I’m impressed.”
“I have worldwide reach just like Banks does, but my people enrich lives, not destroy them.”
“You have yourself a deal, Carmen.”
“Lucien,” Ryder whispered.
I rose to my feet and pulled him up with me. “Where is our room?”
“Take the hallway off the right of the great room. Your bedroom is the second on the left. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
“Goodnight.” I gripped Ryder’s hand firmly in mine when he started to resist me. I turned to face him so he could see the resolution in my eyes. “You’ll come with me now so we can discuss this in private. You can walk, or I can carry you. What will it be?”
Ryder swallowed hard and gestured with his free hand for me to head inside the house.
IWASN’T OKAY WITHCARMENand Lucien’s plans, but I was powerless to persuade them. Even thinking of robbing them of the chance to make Banks pay for his crimes felt selfish and wrong. Too many horrific things were revealed to justify delaying the inevitable longer than necessary for Carmen and Lucien to get into position and spring their trap.
Trap. Bait.Fuck! I just wanted to howl at the unfairness of it. I just got my Lucky back, and he was being ripped away from me again.
“Hey,” Lucien softly said once we were alone in our guest room. “Your brain must be working overtime right now because you squeezed my fingers hard enough to dislocate a few of them.”
“Damn, Lucky. I’m so sorry.”
Lucien spun around and cupped my face with both hands. “Say it again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not that; use the nickname. I only like it when you say it.”
“I am sorry for so many things, Lucky,” I said, stepping closer so Lucien could wrap his arms around me. I traced my fingers over his lips. “I’m sorry I punched you in the mouth and hate-fucked you. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the chance to explain right away because we lost valuable time we can’t ever get back. I’m so fucking sorry for the loss of your friend.”
“Love, you don’t have to apologize for any of those things. I deserved getting punched in the mouth, and I enjoyed the angry fuck more than words can describe. You didn’t assault me.” Lucien lifted his hand and stroked the back of his fingers over my cheek. “You also deserved time to consider if you were willing to trust me again after everything I put you through.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against my jaw. “You aren’t responsible for what happened to Hiram. I’m not responsible for what happened to him either.In a few days, the person who is responsible for all the things you’re trying to apologize for will reap what he sowed. I will be free to build a life with the man I love more than anyone in the world.”
I jerked back and looked into his dark eyes. They shone with love and determination, but there was also sadness lingering in their depths.
“Too soon?” Lucien asked softly.
I shook my head. “I love you too, Lucky. I always have, and I always will. I fucking hate that we’re going to be separated, but I’m going to prove how much I trust and respect you by doing what you ask. I’m going to stay safe and wait for you to return to me so we can have our fresh start.”
I could see how much my words meant to him, but they weren’t enough to chase away the shock and sadness. Lucien’s body remained as stiff and unyielding as it was when he heard about Hiram’s boating accident. I wasn’t jealous; I ached for him. I wanted to ease him any way I could.
“Shower with me before we go to bed?” I asked.
“I’m not passing up a chance to get wet and naked with you,” Lucien replied, but his usual lusty gaze lacked its typical vibrancy.
I didn’t need sex to be intimate with Lucien, and I’d prove it to him. I took his hand and led him to the bathroom. Releasing his hand, I opened the glass shower door to turn on the faucet. The rainfall showerhead had an LED light which turned the cascading water a lovely shade of blue.