Chapter 12 Protection
Lucas’s voice hardened. “The Crowley network has been expanding faster than we expected.
They’ve set up three new distribution points in the last month.
All of them funneling women out of the city and into international shipment lines.”
Lucy’s stomach twisted. “And the warehouse tonight was one of their hubs?”
“Yes.” His jaw flexed. “But not the biggest one. My father believes someone powerful is backing them — financially and politically. Someone untouchable. Someone who knows how to stay in the dark.”
Lucy absorbed that.
She had always suspected as much.
Trafficking didn’t thrive without money and protection.
But hearing it aloud?
From a man whose family ran half the city’s underworld?
It confirmed her worst fears.
She leaned forward. “If your father knows, why hasn’t he acted?”
“Because he’s playing a long game,” Lucas said bitterly. “But I’m tired of waiting. And now —” his eyes locked on hers, “now they’ve targeted you.
You saved Emily, and for that they want you dead.”
The room went cold.
But Lucy didn’t flinch. “I’m not afraid of them.”
Lucas moved toward her, slowly, as if approaching something breakable.
“You should be,” he murmured.
His knuckles brushed her cheek before he seemed to catch himself, hand pausing in the air between them.
“We’re protecting you,” he continued. “My father has assigned two men to watch over you, for now.”
Lucy blinked. “Wait — what? No. I don’t need protection.”
Lucas’s expression said you don’t get a choice.
“You’ve become a target. Letting you walk around alone would be like leaving the door open for wolves.”
Her pulse sped up — partly from indignation, partly from the way his voice dipped low, protective.
“I’m not some porcelain doll,” she shot back.
“And I’m not going to have mafia shadows following me while I’m trying to do my job.”
“You’re not. Because you’re staying here tonight.”
Lucy froze.
“In your penthouse? Absolutely not.”
“Lucy,” Lucas said calmly, though his eyes sparked, “I’m not asking.”
“Oh, I noticed,” she snapped.
Their faces were inches apart now. Heat, tension, frustration — it all collided in the tiny space between them.
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her lips. “I’m trying to keep you alive.”
Her heartbeat hammered. “I don’t need saving.”
His eyes darkened. “Then let me do it for my sister. For the fact that you risked your life for her. Stay. One night.”
She opened her mouth to argue — to reject the idea purely out of stubbornness — but the truth hit her:
She was tired.
And the Crowley network wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate.
She let out a slow breath. “…One night,” she said finally. “But that’s it.”
Lucas’s shoulders eased, the tension melting from him. But then his eyes softened in a way she wasn’t prepared for.
“One night,” he repeated quietly. “And I promise — you’ll be safe with me.”
Lucy looked away, trying to ignore the warmth unfurling in her chest.
“Fine,” she muttered. “But I’m sleeping in a guest room.”
His lips curved. “Of course. I’ll show you to it.”
But there was something in his smile — a dangerous, knowing spark — that made Lucy think he wasn’t done challenging her.
Not even close.
As he led her down the dim hallway, Lucy realized something unsettling:
Being hunted by traffickers terrified her.
But falling for a mafia boss?
That terrified her even more.
Lucas opened the door to the guest room and stepped aside so Lucy could enter.
It wasn’t a “guest room” so much as a luxurious suite—large, warm, and softly lit, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
But Lucy didn’t comment.
She was tired, tired form the stress and emotions and felt really drained.
Still, she stayed standing, arms crossed, watching Lucas from the doorway.
“You don’t trust me,” he said quietly, reading her too easily.
“I don’t know you,” she corrected. “And you… come from a world that destroys people.”
Lucas stepped inside but kept respectful distance.
“My world destroys the wrong people.”
His eyes held hers, steady and unyielding. “You save them. That’s why I’m trying to protect you.”
She swallowed, unsure how to respond.
Something about the way he said protect you made her chest tighten.
He glanced at her side. “Before you sleep, can I get you anyhting?"
“No,” she replied instantly. “I’m fine—”
He didn’t touch her. Didn’t move closer. Just lifted his hands, showing she was safe with him.
“At least let me bring you some painkillers.”
His voice gentled. “I won’t cross a line, Lucy.”
For some reason… she believed him.
“Fine,” she murmured.
He returned minutes later with water and medication. She took it in silence, lowering herself onto the edge of the bed.
Lucas lingered at the doorway, one hand braced against the frame as if fighting with himself.
“You should sleep,” she said, avoiding his gaze.
“I’m sure you have a hundred things to handle.”
“I do.”
He hesitated. “But I won’t leave you alone on the floor with your thoughts.”
“On the floor?”
He smirked faintly. “You’re sitting like you’re about to run out the window.”
She flushed.
“Old habit,” she muttered. “Never feel too comfortable in unfamiliar places.”
His expression softened in a way she wasn’t prepared for.
“You saved my sister,” he said. “Whatever else happens, this place will always be safe for you.”
Something in her chest wavered.
“Goodnight, Lucy.”
He turned to leave.
But then she whispered, “Lucas?”
He stopped instantly.
Lucy looked at him, unsure why the words rose in her throat, unsure why she needed him to hear them.
“Emily is alive because of me,” she said softly. “But I’m alive tonight because of you.”
A breath escaped him — sharper than he meant.
He stepped back into the room slowly, like she was pulling him in without realizing it.
“Lucy…”
He didn’t touch her.
But he stood close enough that the air shifted between them, charged and warm.
“You don’t know what that does to me.”
Her heart stumbled. “What does it do?”
His voice dropped, barely audible.
“It makes me want to tear down every monster in this city for you.”
The room felt suddenly smaller. Her breath shorter.
“Lucas…” she whispered.
He reached up, hand hovering an inch from her cheek — not touching, just close enough for her skin to tingle.
“You should rest,” he said hoarsely.
She nodded, though she couldn’t look away.
He forced himself to take a step back.
Then another.
“Goodnight,” he murmured, voice rough.
The door clicked softly behind him.
Lucy exhaled shakily, pulling the blankets around herself.
Outside, the muffled echo of Lucas’s footsteps faded down the hall
She didn’t sleep for a long time.
Not because she didn’t feel safe…
…but because she’d never felt too safe before.
And that was far more dangerous.