Chapter 7 Unexpected visitor
A few days later
Lucy had been on edge all day.
At work she’d smiled through meetings, reviewed contracts, and pretended the numbers on her screen weren’t blurring together. But beneath the crisp white blouse and professional calm, her heartbeat never truly slowed.
Someone had followed her last night.
She’d felt it—an extra shadow, a silent footstep behind her as she walked home. And although she’d managed to slip away, the sensation lingered like frost beneath her skin.
She had enemies.
That was nothing new.
But now she had attention too.
From Lucas.
From his world.
From men who would tear apart anyone who threatened what was theirs.
And men who wanted to hurt her because they couldn’t have her.
By the time she got home, dusk was settling over the city, painting the skyline with dusty blue.
She locked the door behind her and dropped her bag on the couch. For a long moment, she simply stood there—letting the quiet settle in her bones.
Then she felt it.
A pulse of tension.
A presence.
She grabbed the knife she kept hidden under a stack of magazines and crept toward the balcony.
The sliding door was still locked.
Good.
She checked the windows—secure.
Then something shifted behind her.
A breath.
A hint of movement.
She spun, knife raised—
—and a hand caught her wrist mid-swing.
“Easy, angel.”
Lucas.
Her stomach dropped and her relief came so quickly it was almost dizzying.
But right behind the relief came anger—swift and hot.
“You can’t just break into people’s apartments!” she hissed, yanking her hand back.
He didn’t move.
Didn’t even flinch.
His gaze tracked her face, slow and steady, taking in her tension, her flushed cheeks, the adrenaline shaking just beneath her skin.
“Door wasn’t as secure as you thought,” he said quietly. “I fixed it.”
Her jaw clenched. “You can’t do that either.”
“Lucy.” His voice softened, deepened.
“Someone’s been watching you.”
Her blood ran cold.
He stepped closer—slow, deliberate, giving her space to back away if she wanted. She didn’t move.
“I know,” she whispered.
His eyes darkened. “How long?”
“A day… maybe two.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked.
Not good.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you aren’t my keeper,” she snapped, though her voice didn’t carry as much heat as it should’ve.
“Because I’ve handled myself for years. And because I don’t want to get pulled into your world.”
He took another step.
“You already are.”
The truth of it landed hard.
Heavy.
Lucy looked away, breathing shallow. “Lucas… I didn’t save Emily because I wanted anything from you.”
“I know.” And he really did.
She could see it in his eyes.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let anything happen to the woman who saved my sister.” He paused. “Or the woman I—”
He cut himself off, but she could guess the ending.
The woman I care about.
The woman I can’t stop thinking about.
Her heart kicked.
After a few long breaths, she found her voice again. “Then tell me the truth. Why would someone be watching me? Your enemies? Mine?”
“Both.” Lucas’s expression hardened.
“Some of the men involved in the attempt on Emily are still unaccounted for. They know someone interfered. They know someone cost them money. And they don’t like unfinished business.”
She swallowed.
“And,” he continued, “someone in my own backyard—someone under my command—sold information. I’m getting close to finding who.”
Lucy shook her head. “Why are you telling me all this? You don’t owe me details. I’m not part of your life.”
He exhaled slowly. “You are, Lucy. After what you did… you are.”
Silence stretched between them.
Tense.
Electric.
Finally, Lucas stepped forward and brushed his fingers gently against her cheek.
“You don’t have to let me protect you,” he murmured. “But I’m going to anyway.”
Her breath caught.
Not from fear.
From how fiercely he meant it.
“Lucas…” she whispered, not sure what she meant to say.
But he only shook his head. “Not asking for your trust. I’ll earn that. Just asking you not to fight me when I’m trying to keep you alive.”
The quiet sincerity in his voice disarmed her more than any show of force could have.
After a long, taut second, she lowered the knife.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Just… don’t go breaking into my apartment again.”
He smirked, the edge of danger softening just enough to reveal something warmer. “Then give me a key.”
Her cheeks flushed.
He lifted a hand in surrender. “Kidding. Mostly.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
Lucas watched that smile like it was a treasure he wasn’t expecting to find in this lifetime.
Then his expression shifted—back to business.
Protective.
Dangerous.
“I’m putting a man on your door,” he said. “And you’re not going out alone at night anymore.”
Lucy arched a brow. “And if I say no?”
He stepped forward.
“Then I’ll follow you myself.”
Her pulse jumped.
This man might destroy her life. But he might save it too.
And she wasn’t sure yet which possibility scared her more.