Choosing a Woman

Choosing a Woman
Lucas's point of view

My pulse strained beneath my skin as pure rage coursed through me. How dare he lay a hand on her?
No one has the right to lay hands on Sophie, whether it's me or him. I wouldn't spare anyone who tries, and I won't spare him for raising his hand on her. I'll make sure he pays for that.

“Wow, what a sweet love story? Are you really going to kill your own blood because of a woman?”
He's not my brother, and I don't consider him one.
My steps were deliberate as I strode over to them. I didn't allow him to react as I grasped his hand, pinning it behind him.

Sophie shuffled a step back, a gasp escaping her lips at the scene. Scarring her was the last thing I wanted to do, but this jerk won't rest until I teach him a good lesson.

“Lay your hands on her again, and I'm going to fucking kill you. Do you understand?”
My voice was barely above a whisper as I leaned close to his ear, my grip around his arm tightening as I pinned him harder.

“Do you have the guts to do that, or are you just a barking dog with no teeth?” Liam scoffed. “If you dare kill me, your mother will suffer the consequences.”
I let out a disgusted laugh. “Oh yeah! How about this? If you dare lay your hands on Sophie, I will make sure the whole city knows about your sexuality. I'm very sure your cowardly self can't bear people's thoughts, can you? That's why you hide your so-called girlfriend, isn't it?”
I know I've hit him in the right spot, and he won't try anything stupid, at least for now. I'll figure out a way to get rid of him once and for all without harming my mother.

“Don't think you've won, Lucas. I'm never going to let you be happy with Sophie or anyone else. I will ruin everything good in your life, including her.”
Liam’s voice is laced with disdain, and I let out an amused chuckle.
“I'd love to see you try!”
I released his hand with so much force that he stumbled and fell on one of the nearby graves. Without caring about him, I walked to Sophie, held her hand, and began walking away with her beside me.

As we reached the entrance of the cemetery, Sophie removed her hand from mine and took a few steps away from me.
“You didn't have to come and save me. I don't need you to act like a fake hero in my life.”
She glared at me, her expression pinched in annoyance.
I couldn't help but wiggle my eyebrows. I just saved her from that stupid ex-husband of hers, and she's trying to show me some attitude. How nice of her!

“Saying ‘Thank you’ will never kill you, you know. It just needs you to swallow that little pride you have and just say it.”
My voice was dripping with amusement. She kind of looks cute when her mouth is pouted, and I wanted to see more of her facial expressions, but unfortunately, I can't. That's why I'll write all her expressions in my mind so I can think of them when she's not around.
“Thank you, Mr. Lucas Smith, for your kindness. What could have happened to me if it weren't for you?”
I wasn't foolish enough not to detect the light sarcasm in her voice, and I couldn't help but snort.
“Helping you was my pleasure, Miss Sophie Martin.”
I played along in her silly game, but then silence hung heavily between us. She didn't say anything, and I couldn't utter a word as my gaze locked with hers.
God knows what I feel for this woman. It's like the most powerful force is pushing me to her and pulling me away whenever I try to get comfortable, and I hate it. I want to wake up with her next to me, kiss her every day,
and make love to her all the time, but it feels like the most beautiful yet dangerous feeling at the same time.

I can't be selfish and drag her into my darkness.
“You know, for a second, I thought you had a spine, but who was I kidding? You are just like Liam, maybe even worse.”
She suddenly spoke, walking over to me.
My heart almost stopped beating at her closeness. All I wanted was to pull her to me and kiss those sinfully sexy lips of hers. It took everything in my veins to stand still.
“Why did you make me believe you'd do anything to have me, only to let me go just like that? I was so foolish for starting to get comfortable around you, and what did you do? Chase me away like I'm some kind of disgusting disease!”
Fuck No!! She's not a disgusting disease. In fact, she's the one holding my heart in her palm. She's the one driving me to the brink of madness. I desperately want her, and it's the most dangerous emotion of all.
“I wish I had never met you, Lucas, because of you, I'm unsure of how I'm feeling. It feels like I'm losing my mind with each passing second, and I hate it. I hate these feelings developing for you.”
Tears started welling up in her eyes, her voice cracked with emotions.
A sharp pang cut through my chest. I hated being the reason she was crying. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew one day she would be happy and forget about me.
I swallowed hard at the thought of her ever forgetting about me because I knew I'd never forget her. I'd always close my eyes and visualize her, so I could just get a glimpse of her. That's enough reason to keep me going without her.
“I've realized that you were right all along. I'm not a good guy, I'm a monster, and you don't deserve a guy like me, Sophie. You deserve to be happy, and you can do it without me.”
I hated how low my voice was, almost above a whisper. That's just how crazy she drives me, and I love it and hate it at the same time.